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Curatorial Assistant

Please Note: The application deadline for this job has now passed.

Role Introduction

We are seeking to appoint a Curatorial Assistant for the Fine & Decorative Art (FDA) collection. This person will join the existing team of two: Keeper of Fine & Decorative Art (full time) and the Assistant Keeper of Fine & Decorative Art (part time). The role involves contributing to day-to-day operations and the management of the collection, as well as assisting in making the collection accessible to a wider audience, both within the college and beyond.

An important aspect of the role will be maintaining documentation and implementing collections management procedures. The role encompasses a varied range of tasks and offers opportunities to broaden and develop curatorial skills.

Start Date - September 2021

Main Duties

Key Tasks and Responsibilities

  • Assisting with all aspects of collections management.
  • Maintaining both paper and electronic documentation.
  • Assisting with the annual audit of the collection.
  • Assisting in co-ordinating documentation relating to acquisitions and loans to and from the collection.
  • Adding new and amending existing catalogue records to the CollectionsIndex+ cataloguing database.
  • Object marking, in collaboration with conservation staff.
  • Supporting conservation projects relevant to the FDA collection, reporting conservation concerns to the Keepers and conservation staff.
  • Supporting the digitalisation programme: this may involve liaising with the Collections Administrator and photographers, handling and moving objects, and filing images.
  • Facilitating the display and, in the case of furniture, use of collection objects around the college: liaising with relevant college staff, assessing suitable locations, and the stability of objects.
  • Managing the moving of objects, including liaising with conservators and transport companies, some lifting and carrying and updating locations on the catalogue.
  • Assisting with all aspects of exhibition work, particularly exhibitions in the Verey Gallery at Eton, including liaising with relevant colleagues, image sourcing, research, design, installation and documentation.
  • Assisting with collections interpretation: including articles for the Collections Journal, text for virtual public engagement and for funding bids.
  • Assisting in the co-ordination and production of online or printed publications, as relevant to the FDA collection.
  • Assisting with visitors to the collection and dealing with internal and external enquiries.
  • Acting as a courier, accompanying loans from the college, as required.
  • Helping to identify potential acquisitions.
  • Carrying out other ad hoc duties as requested.

 

Stakeholders

The Curatorial Assistant will have the ability to work independently as well as part of a team. Key stakeholders include, but are not limited to:

  • The Collections Department
  • Colleagues across the organisation, including Eton teaching staff
  • Individuals outside the college, including conservators, photographers and external researchers

 

Skills and Competencies Required

 

To be successful in this role, the incumbent should have:

Essential requirements:

  • Educated to at least degree-level, preferably in an area relevant to the role.
  • Demonstrable commitment to the museum sector.
  • Excellent grammatical English and oral and written communication skills.
  • Excellent interpersonal, team and influencing skills.
  • Commitment and enthusiasm for fine and decorative art, and for providing public access to collections.
  • Able to manage multiple priorities and concurrent projects, and to respond effectively as new priorities arise.
  • Thoroughness and accuracy in tackling tasks.
  • Experience of working within in a museum, gallery or closely related organisation, on a professional or voluntary basis.
  • Ability to undertake research and communicate findings effectively.
  • High computer literacy with an ability to manage information systematically and accurately.
  • Willingness to work flexibly as part of a team in order to achieve collective targets and deadlines.
  • High level of manual dexterity and an understanding of handling procedures when lifting or carrying works of art.
  • High motivation and ability to demonstrate initiative.
  • Good time management skills.

The Ideal Candidate

Desirable requirements:

  • In depth knowledge of museums, their key procedures and ways of working, including an understanding of collections management procedures, storage and museum documentation.
  • Relevant post-graduate qualification in museum studies or a related field.
  • Specialist knowledge of an aspect of fine or decorative art relevant to the collection.

Benefits

Eton College offers a wide range of benefits, including an 11% employer contribution to your pension (with 4.9% employee contribution), Employee Assistance Programme, enhanced Maternity / Paternity scheme, free eyecare vouchers, a cycle to work scheme, subsidised lunches during term time, free access to the College’s sport and leisure facilities and discounts at local retailers and businesses

  • Salary - £12,900 per annum (FTE, £21,500)
  • Contract type – Permanent Part-Time
  • Hours per week – 21 hours , 52 weeks per year – preferred working arrangement: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, although there may be scope for flexibility.
  • Holiday entitlement – 21 days (pro-rata)

**Due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation, the recruitment process for these roles may take longer than usual. We appreciate your patience and understanding during this time.**

About the College

Eton College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service.

We are committed to creating and sustaining an environment that values and celebrates the diversity of both staff and pupils. We believe in equal opportunity for everyone, irrespective of age, disability, gender, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation or socio-economic background.

Eton College

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