Assistant Curator

The Vacancy

The Royal Academy of Arts is embarking on a new chapter in its history following the recent appointment of a new Secretary and Chief Executive, Artistic Director and Senior Curator, as well as a new Leadership Team. The Academy is at an exciting juncture in its existence as it seeks to expand its world class and uniquely wide-ranging exhibition programme to reach even broader audiences.

We currently have a rare opportunity for an Assistant Curator to join our dedicated and passionate Curatorial team.

Working collaboratively across the RA and with artists, curators and partners, this role will support the research, development and delivery of a dynamic programme of temporary exhibitions. From liaising with guest curators and institutional lenders to contributing to key research on artists, artworks and future ideas, the Assistant Curator will play a key role in shaping exhibitions from concept to completion.

About You

To be considered for this role, you will bring experience of working on exhibitions within a museum or gallery environment, with excellent research skills and a keen eye for detail. An ability to build and maintain professional relationships with a wide range of stakeholders is essential as is a collaborative approach to working.

You will have a genuine passion for art across different time periods, media and geographies and will thrive in a team environment, contributing to a shared commitment to delivering an ambitious and wide-ranging programme.

The Company

The RA dates way back to 1768 when a group of artists and architects persuaded King George lll to help them to ‘establish a society for promoting the Art of Design'. The original academy, in Pall Mall, was less than 10 meters long. Since then, there have been many changes, though the RA’s core purpose of bringing art and design to a broad audience and championing art and artists still holds true.

Today we are a contemporary art organisation hosting internationally acclaimed exhibitions and through investment in employee training and development, with courses such as Unconscious Bias, LGBTQ+ Awareness, Bystander, and Mental Health First Aid training, we are striving to foster a safe space for everyone through positive action. We also have Employee Network Groups, Ways In Groups, and an Employee Council so every employee has a voice and a way to feel heard by colleagues through the CEO.

The RA is truly a unique place, both as an attraction to our visitors, but also as a workplace. Our people are at the heart of all we do, and we support a broad and inspiring mix of departments; from exhibitions, curators, art handlers, researchers, publishers, and digital to schools and education, visitor welcome, fundraisers, and corporate support.

The Benefits

Exhibitions

Reciprocal Agreements with galleries across the UK

Enhanced Pension

Generous employer contributions

Enhanced Holiday

25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays

Wellbeing

Access to a virtual GP Service and Mental Health First Aiders

Agile Working

The opportunity to work flexibly

RA Staff Council

Where your views are heard and listened to

Employee Clubs

Football, Staff Choir and more