Job Vacancy: National Trust Property Curator

The Heritage Partnerships Team is pleased to advertise this vacancy with the National Trust at Mount Stewart, Ulster, Northern Ireland.

For further information and to apply for this post see the original advertisement here.


Vacancy Ref: IRC95233
 
Summary

Our remarkable collections are held across hundreds of properties and places in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. They include outstanding internationally important works of art and material culture such as paintings, sculptures, textiles, dress, decorative arts, furniture, books and libraries, as well as highly significant industrial, agricultural photographic, archaeological and archival collections. We also care for places and landscapes that are carry with complex and fascinating histories.

Our houses and collections are a fundamental part of our work and these new roles take a critical part in helping to care for, research and interpret these places and their collections.

To support some of our most internationally significant collections we need Property Curators to deliver an innovative approach to these high profile cultural destinations. While the properties are all unique, the role is to deliver a consistent approach of high standards of collections management and care across our most internationally significant historic properties.

 

What it's like to work here

Mount Stewart was the Ulster home of the Stewart family, Marquesses of Londonderry and the collection reflects the important roles they played in political, social and military history in Ireland, England and Europe. The collection has been strengthened in recent years by the Trust’s acquisition of most of the contents through gift, loan, AIL transfer and purchase. It includes a large and important library, costume, toys, furniture, textiles, ephemera, sculpture, paintings and prints. It is all “associated” and presents a very full and colourful representation of life in the house in the early to mid-20th century. Much of it still needs to be inventoried. The status of the collection has been enhanced by a loan from the Estate of the 9th Marquess, including important silver, furniture, sculpture (inc a bust by Canova) family portraits (Thomas Lawrence, Hoppner and others), militaria and ceramics. The resident historic family takes a keen interest in the presentation and interpretation of Mount Stewart and provides a rich source of information on its history, family stories and the provenance of the contents. The house interiors should be seen as integral with the internationally renowned gardens, designed and created by Edith, wife of the 7th Marquess (1878-1959). The strong stories and spirit of place at Mount Stewart underpin a creative and busy programming and events calendar.

The role of Property Curator will be central in developing the vision for Mount Stewart, maintaining and enhancing the quality of presentation and interpretation, enhancing access and participation, building on existing and generating new research, and working collaboratively with all the key stakeholders. This will require energy, enthusiasm, vision, diplomacy, leadership, good art historical and history of design knowledge, conservation awareness and people management skills.

 

What you'll be doing

We aim to improve our collections care, deepen audience engagement with our collections and interiors, and diversify the appeal of our houses and collections through the high quality and innovative research, presentation and interpretation that we deliver.

Working as part of the Property Leadership team at your property, you will help to develop the vision for the house and garden in collaboration with the other members of the property leadership team.

You'll provide leadership to the collection and house team, developing a lively and engaging house experience, delivering high quality presentation, interpretation and collections care.

You will work with our consultancy teams who provide specialised expertise in geographical regions. You'll be responsible for all elements of the visitor experience programme at your property where it relates to the cultural assets within the property or portfolio.

This new role, provides a great opportunity for you to bring your expertise to help us deliver curatorial change at our internationally significant, museum quality collections at our internationally significant historic properties.

These operational roles will require the postholder to be on site regularly and are based at the properties.

 

Who we're looking for

As an experienced Curator, you’ll be able to demonstrate where you have:

  • Strong knowledge in history, art and design history, architecture or related fields as relevant to each property, including a good understanding of diverse and inclusive histories
  • Experience of collaborative professional curatorship, including research skills
  • The ability to work collaboratively with a range of internal and external stakeholders to deliver curatorial outcomes
  • Ability to be able to lead for innovative, inclusive and accessible histories and interpretation
  • An understanding of the needs of a wide range of different audiences, to deliver creative, accessible and layered content to reveal the meanings of collections and places to meet these needs
  • Team leadership skills, and the ability to effectively balance operational needs with effective coaching and mentoring
  • Excellent verbal and communication skills
  • Ability to undertake, lead on, interpret and respond to external and internal research, intelligence and analysis
  • Good business planning and organisational skills
  • Strong skills in advocacy and building  partnerships with regional and national colleagues and  partners
  • In-depth understanding and experience of working with historic collections and properties
  • Capability to undertake, lead on, interpret, and respond to external and internal research, intelligence, and analysis.
  • Relevant formal academic / professional / vocational qualifications in Art History, Museum Studies and related fields

 

Closing Date: 14th February 2021

To apply for this vacancy simply click the 'apply' button in the top right hand side of this page

We only accept on-line applications. If you require a reasonable adjustment or other assistance to participate in the recruitment process, for example due to disability, please contact the Recruitment Team on 0370 240 0274

Equal Opportunities Statement

The National Trust celebrates diversity and is committed to creating a fair and equal society, free from discrimination. You can read more about our commitment to inclusion and diversity here

Safeguarding Statement

The National Trust is committed to a safe recruitment processes to help the organisation attract and appoint the right staff/volunteer for the role and responsibilities as set out in the vacancy advert. We will not accept applicants who are not suitable to work with children, young people or adults at risk. If you have any questions around your suitability for this vacancy, please contact the people service centre. 

Please note we reserve the right to close this advert early and therefore we encourage you to apply for this position early.


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