Project Curator

Job Description

SummaryThis two-year fixed term contract is an exciting opportunity for an experienced curator to help deliver the National Trusts aspirations for curation and experiences on the Future Saltram project, and across other properties in the Trusts SouthWest region. Excellent curatorship is key to our purpose of Looking After Special Places for Everyone, Forever. Were looking for a creative, curatorial expert to inspire us to think differently and to help deliver an audience-led approach to the care, presentationand interpretation of our places.What its like to work hereThe National Trust aspires to be world-class the curatorship of its places. Grounded in exemplary care, contemporary research and beautiful presentation, we aim to reveal the stories of our placesthrough innovative interpretation to ever-broader audiences, encouraging people to support our cause.The Future Saltram project aims to bring new life and purpose to the house, garden and wider estate. Situated on the edge of Plymouth, the property welcomesnearly one million visitors each year and has grown to be a rich recreational resource for its surrounding communities. Saltram House is a Grade I listed house. The Jacobean house was transformed into a Palladian mansion in the 18th century by the Parker familywho employed architect Robert Adam to remodel key interiors. The collection that the family built up includes works by Sir Joshua Reynolds, Angelica Kauffman, Chippendale and Wedgwood and is considered to be of exceptional significance. Set in 250 acres ofparkland, Saltrams garden and parkland retains many landscape features and significant buildings of the period.As part of our matrix way of working, youll form part of an organisation-wide network of curators, including Cultural Heritage Curators, Experiences& Partnerships Curators, and Property Curators. You may therefore also be deployed elsewhere across the South West region, as need and opportunities arise, to help deliver our strategic priorities.The role is based from our Bodmin Hub. Were committed to supportinga flexible working approach and to promoting a healthy work/life balance, so we are happy to discuss specific working patterns with you.What youll be doingAs a member of the South West regional Consultancy, youll form part of a mixed team of internal consultants,working collaboratively to ensure we provide the best possible service to our places. Working with and reporting to the Cultural Heritage Curator, you will use your curatorial knowledge and skills to support one team working across region, properties andcentre, identifying and attaining shared goals. In this role, you will work closely with Saltrams Property Curator and other members of the Saltram team, implementing elements of Saltrams Conservation, Curation and Experience plan. You will support the researchand development of Saltrams property themes, trialling and evaluating interpretation and programming across the property to enable the writing of a long-term interpretation plan. At the same time, you will work with the Future Saltram project team to feedinto emerging plans for new visitor infrastructure, as well as the conservation and adaptation of buildings and features within the landscape.The role will also be called upon to work more widely and at other properties in the region, with a focus on the TamarValley and including places such as Cotehele and Buckland Abbey. Working alongside other specialist consultants, you will work with operational teams to improve standards of presentation and to plan and manage elements of conservation investment.Who werelooking forTo succeed in this role, you will need the following: Degree in a relevant area and post-graduate qualification, such as in history, history of art or Museum Studies (MA) or equivalent experience. Interest or specialism in 18th and early-19th centuryperiods. Wide ranging knowledge of the history, presentation, and exhibition of different types of heritage in a variety of contexts and an understanding of the theory and practice of interpretation, presentation, and programme approaches. Understanding ofthe latest technology and digital media relevant to this work A good knowledge of collections management priorities for the care and conservation of historic interiors and of professional standards including Museum Accreditation. An understanding of buildingsand heritage in the landscape and their conservation needs. A highly collaborative approach and recognition of the range of different roles and talents involved in producing content at historic properties. Strong influencing and consulting skills; listening,building trust and acting to deliver a high-quality service, ensuring on-going collaboration and engagement of all stakeholders. Ability to take a holistic and creative approach to revealing the meaning of heritage and collections for internal and externalaudiences, relating heritage and collections to wider historical and contemporary understandings. Project management skills, the ability to work at pace and be decisive, prioritising work and activity based on project need, together with advanced IT skills,using collections management database and other specialist software. Strong track record of working on displays and exhibitions in the museum or heritage sector, working collaboratively with a range of internal and external stakeholders to deliver curatorialoutcomes. Managing projects including brokering, commissioning and managing external consultants. Successful track record of leading high quality and creative interpretation approaches and content development, organising and presenting at workshops, seminarsand conferences, sharing stories internally and externally, e.g. through social, print and broadcast media. Adherence to brand standards and values, working in a customer focused organisation, and a natural heritage or cultural environment.