Curatorial Researcher (Working Class Artists project)

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Salary: Grade 5 (£25,742 - £29,605 p.a. pro rata, depending on experience) 

This role will be based on the University campus with scope for it to be undertaken in a hybrid manner.  We are also open to discussing flexible working arrangements.

Do you have a passion for British Art History?  Have you experience of researching British Art and documenting historic art collections?  Can you help us understand the stories of working class artists in our collection and their place in the wider British art landscape?  

The Stanley & Audrey Burton Gallery offers innovative art exhibitions and displays treasures from the University Art Collection and the University Library Special Collections.  We support opportunities for researchers, students and the general public to understand and appreciate our shared historical legacy, through preserving, researching and promoting our collections.

You’ll lead the research for our project ‘Working Class Artists’, investigating working-class artists represented in the University Art Collection and the artworks we hold by them, contextualising them within the wider British art landscape. You will also identify and research key artists (both historic and contemporary) from working-class backgrounds in Britain, especially those connected with Leeds and Yorkshire. The project will support the development of a new exhibition at The Stanley & Audrey Burton Gallery. In support of this exhibition, your research may also include (but not limited to):

• Identifying key external loans
• Research working-class stories and issues in our Special Collections with a focus on visual material (e.g. photographs, ephemera, prints, printed books, banners, etc.)
• Recurrent themes explored by working-class artists and creatives
• Working-class identity and perspectives
• Barriers faced by working-class artists and creatives and how these intersect with disability, gender, race and sexuality, as well as the strategies used by working-class people to face those barriers.

This role includes carrying out curatorial research (on site and externally), enhancing artwork catalogue records (using KE Emu), supporting the thematic development and interpretation for the exhibition, as well as supporting related marketing, events, community engagement and evaluation.   You’ll be a point of contact for enquiries and advice on the project and liaison with partner organisations.

Visit Your career at University of Leeds Libraries to find out about our values, culture, and ambitions. 

What we offer in return: 

• Generous pension scheme options plus life assurance. 
• Health and Wellbeing: Discounted staff membership options at The Edge, our state-of-the-art Campus gym, with a pool, sauna, climbing wall, cycle circuit, and sports halls.
• Personal Development: Access to courses run by our Organisational Development & Professional Learning team, and self-development courses including languages, Creative Writing, Wellbeing Therapies and much more.
• Access to on-site childcare, shopping discounts and travel schemes are also available.

To explore the post further or for any queries you may have, please contact:

Layla Bloom, University Art Curator

Email: [email protected]

Location:  Leeds - Main Campus
Faculty/Service:  Professional Services
School/Institute:  Library
Category:  Administrative and Clerical Support
Grade:  Grade 5
Salary:  £25,742 to £29,605 per annum pro-rata
Working Time:  0.8 FTE (28 hours per week)
Post Type:  Part Time
Contract Type:  Fixed Term (Fixed term until approx. 31/07/24 to complete specific time limited work.)
Release Date:  Friday 26 January 2024
Closing Date:  Thursday 08 February 2024
Interview Date:  Monday 19 February 2024
Reference:  CSLIB1410
Further details: