This is posted on behalf of:
Caroline Worthington, Director Royal Society of Sculptors.
Full Role description below initial outline paragraphs.
To apply, please send a covering letter outlining your experience and interest in the role along with a CV (no more than two pages long and including the names of two referees) to: archive@sculptors.org.uk
Pioneering Women at the Heart of the Royal Society of Sculptors
The Society is looking for a Research Curator to lead an archive based project called Pioneering Women at the Heart of the Royal Society of Sculptors and funded by the Paul Mellon Centre. The project will explore and celebrate the invaluable contribution of women to the Society’s activities, and the sculptural practices of some of its most notable female members.
Research will be conducted into the history of the society and 25 of its female members – 10 of whom will form the core focus of the project – using the Society’s own archives, those of other archives, and published materials. Research outputs will include an online exhibition featuring imagery, archival documents and substantial biographical entries for the 10 core sculptors, and a series of talks and panel discussions by authors, academics and curators. The Research Curator will have experience of leading similar projects, a good knowledge of 20th century British sculpture, and enthusiasm for disseminating research and engaging with academics and the public.
Job Title: Research Curator (archive project)
Organisation: Royal Society of Sculptors
108 Old Brompton Road, London SW7 3RA.
Pay: £28,000 pro rata
Hours: Two years fixed term; part time (two days a week),
Reports to: Director
Royal Society of Sculptors
The Royal Society of Sculptors is an artist led, membership organisation. We support and connect sculptors throughout their careers and lead the conversation about sculpture today through exhibitions and events for all.
The Society was created more than 100 years ago to champion contemporary sculpture and the artists who create it. Today we welcome everyone interested in exploring this art form and its many possibilities.
We are based in London’s South Kensington, a few minutes’ walk from its great museums, in a beautiful listed building called Dora House.
For further information on the programme visit www.sculptors.org.uk
Research Curator (archive project)
The Society is looking for a Research Curator to lead an archive based project called Pioneering Women at the Heart of the Royal Society of Sculptors and funded by the Paul Mellon Centre. The project will explore and celebrate the invaluable contribution of women to the Society’s activities, and the sculptural practices of some of its most notable female members.
Research will be conducted into the history of the society and 25 of its female members – 10 of whom will form the core focus of the project – using the Society’s own archives, those of other archives, and published materials. Research outputs will include an online exhibition featuring imagery, archival documents and substantial biographical entries for the 10 core sculptors, and a series of talks and panel discussions by authors, academics and curators. The Research Curator will have experience of leading similar projects, a good knowledge of 20th century British sculpture, and enthusiasm for disseminating research and engaging with academics and the public.
Role responsibilities:
- Deliver the range of activities outlined in the project application to the specified deadlines
- Undertake research into the project’s ten core female sculptors and the wider field of early-mid 20th century British Sculpture using the Society’s own archive, the archives of external institutions, and secondary sources such as articles, publications and websites
- In response to research findings, continue to develop the content and themes of the online exhibition
- Select documents from the Society’s archive for inclusion in the online exhibition and oversee their scanning or photography
- Write substantial biographical texts for the ten core female sculptors and content relating to the history of female involvement in the Society’s activities and the wider subject of women sculptors practicing in early-mid 20th century Britain
- Build research links with institutions housing related collections and promote the project on social media, through the members’ newsletter and amongst relevant academics and institutions
- Work with the Society’s website developers to design and deliver the online exhibition
- Obtain the correct permissions and rights clearances to include material in the online exhibition
- Host public events publicising the project and providing access to the Society’s archive
- Oversee the programming of a series of talks and discussions with relevant authors and academics whose field of study relates to the project topic
- Conduct interviews with relatives of the sculptors and with current female members of the Society who knew the featured sculptors or whose practice has been influenced by their legacy
- Conduct interviews with writers, academics, curators and others whose field of study relates to the project topic
- Manage a project volunteer one day per week
- Write progress reports for the Paul Mellon Centre
Essential experience/qualities:
- Educated to at least MA level / equivalent professional experience
- Significant knowledge of the history of 20th century British art, preferably including British sculpture
- Experience of writing articles, publications and/or exhibition content on topics relating to the history of art and design
- Knowledge and understanding of citation methodologies and intellectual property rights relating to the use of materials for online content
- Experience of carrying out research in archives and special collections
- Ability to self-manage and prioritise workload
- Ability to meet project deadlines
Desirable experience:
- Experience of writing text for online platforms
- Experience of leading funded projects
- Experience of conducting oral history interviews
- Experience of working with website develops
- Experience of managing volunteers
To apply, please send a covering letter outlining your experience and interest in the role along with a CV (no more than two pages long and including the names of two referees) to: archive@sculptors.org.uk
The deadline for this application is Tuesday 8 January 2019 at 5pm.
Interviews will take place at the Society on Tuesday 22 January 2019.
