Curator: Parliamentary Art Collection

Curator: Parliamentary Art Collection

What you'll be doing

Are you passionate about art, history and storytelling and excited by the idea of caring for one of the UK's most unique and nationally significant art collections? As Curator for the Parliamentary Art Collection, you'll work at the heart of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, helping to shape how Parliament's visual history is researched, displayed and shared with the diverse audiences who engage with it each year.

You'll lead specialist research, oversee displays, guide the development of the collection and manage new commissions from contemporary artists. From cataloguing improvements to planning exhibitions and advising Members, this role offers remarkable variety. You'll collaborate with colleagues across Heritage Collections and engage with external curators, artists, academics and stakeholders to support projects that preserve and interpret are unique collection of artworks.

This is an exceptional opportunity to bring academic art historical expertise into a real world environment where your work directly shapes public understanding of Parliament's heritage.

Why join us?

In addition to your salary, we offer an attractive package of benefits, including:

• Generous annual leave starting at 30 days and increasing to 35 after one year.
• Enrolment in the excellent Civil Service pension scheme, with an average employer contribution of around 27%.
• Flexible working options that help you balance personal and professional commitments, including enhanced parental leave, caring leave and alternative working patterns.

You'll also work across one of the UK's most architecturally and historically rich estates, contributing to the stewardship of collections of national and international importance.

What we're looking for

We're seeking someone who brings strong curatorial experience alongside a desire to keep developing and exploring new ways of interpreting collections. You'll thrive if you bring:

Deep expertise in art history and curatorial practice:

• Experience working with public art collections, conducting high level research and delivering engaging displays or exhibitions.

Strong knowledge of collections management and British art (19th-20th century):

• Understanding of collections documentation, cataloguing standards and the historical contexts relevant to Parliament.

Excellent communication and interpretive skills:

• I possess the ability to write for a variety of audiences and confidently present information about artwork and collections.

Ability to advocate for the collection:

• Skilled at representing the value of collections to stakeholders at different levels and contributing to departmental projects.

Collaborative, people focused working style:

• Strong interpersonal and project management skills, with the ability to work sensitively and effectively with Members, colleagues, artists and contractors.

Next Steps and Additional Information:

• CV & Supporting Statement - If you would like to apply for this role, please submit your CV and covering letter with a 500 word limit.

More information on the application process can be found here: Application process - UK Parliament

Applicants must ensure that anything submitted must be factually accurate. Plagiarism 'can include presenting the ideas and experience of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own.' Whilst candidates can make use of AI, they must do it truthfully. Where possible experience stated within the supporting statement should also be visible in the cv part of the application. Whilst we accept candidates may use AI tools within job applications, statements, and CVs; submissions must be truthful and relevant to experience.

More information on the role and the full criteria can be found in the Job Description.

Please note that most job offers will be made at the minimum of the salary range, other than in exceptional circumstances.

Please ensure that you anonymise your application by removing any identifiable factors from your CV or Supporting Statement.

We may close the vacancy prior to the closing date stated due to a high volume of applications.