Job Title: Researcher, Curatorial
Reporting to: Curatorial Business Manager
Working hours: Monday to Friday, 10.00am to 6.00pm (additional hours as required)
Location: Bermondsey
Salary: Up to £40,000 p/a depending on experience
Overview: the postholder is responsible for coordinating White Cube’s Research & Development endeavours, including scheduling and chairing meetings, supporting and undertaking research, compiling in-depth presentations, writing and disseminating meeting minutes, maintaining a comprehensive record of all research undertaken, as well as writing précis for artworks not covered by the Editorial team. The ideal candidate will possess curatorial writing skills, meticulous attention to detail, ability to undertake thorough artist research and to distil complex research into a concise presentation, capacity to produce high-quality original written material under pressure, and an understanding of current art market trends.
Research & Development
- Scheduling and chairing monthly Research & Development (R&D) and Senior Artist Engagement (SAE) meetings with relevant Senior Directors / Directors in the gallery’s Research group.
- Provide research support to Senior Directors / Directors for internal R&D meetings, and prepare in-depth PDF/PPT presentations to be disseminated to relevant Senior Directors / Directors prior to each meeting.
- Create research folios with selected text and imagery for use by external scholars and freelance writers.
- Maintain a comprehensive record of every artist discussed at R&D and SAE meetings, including details relating to the artist’s CV and the meeting outcome, flagging any artists that have been discussed previously.
- Write and disseminate meeting minutes to relevant Senior Directors / Directors in a timely manner.
- Arrange studio visits and appointments as directed by Senior Directors / Directors as required.
Writing
- Write accurate and persuasive précis copy for individual artworks that effectively communicates their relevance, historical and market significance.
- Conduct in-depth exhibition history, and literature research for historic artworks using any and all available resources.
- Proofread and edit précis drafted by other members of the Curatorial team, and provide writing support for other Artist Coordinators on an ad-hoc basis.
- Adhere to White Cube’s House Style when drafting précis, maintaining the gallery’s tone of voice and formatting.
- Drafting Sales offer letters for upcoming gallery exhibitions.
- Update short Artist Biographies, CVs and bibliographies with new solo or group exhibitions on the gallery’s printed and digital collateral.
- Editing web texts and press releases
General
- Undertake research on current art market trends, including attending exhibitions and artist presentations outside White Cube’s programme where possible and appropriate.
- Oversee a weekly newsletter tailored for the R&D team.
Departmental Involvement
- Attend weekly Sales and Artist Liaison meetings as requested.
- Deal with other appropriate duties as allocated by the Artist Liaison / Sales Liaison / Director, Curatorial Business Management.
Required Person Specification
- A bachelor’s degree in History of Art or other humanities subjects with research emphasis, or equivalent work experience.
- A strong interest in contemporary art and current art market trends.
- A collaborative team-player adept at coordinating across departments and senior management, who can be trusted to handle sensitive information with discretion.
- Proven writing and presentation skills, including the ability to write original and descriptive artwork précis grounded on meticulous research and fact-checking, in a fast-paced environment.
- Meticulous attention to detail, with an ability to conduct in-depth research into an artist’s CV and sales records, and to compile and present the information in a clear and concise manner.
Desired Person Specification
- A master’s degree in History of Art or other humanities subjects with research emphasis.
- Three or more years of experience within a leading gallery, auction house, or art advisory firm.
This list is not exhaustive.
To apply for this role, please complete the application form and submit a copy of your CV and a cover letter. This role will close on Friday 7th August at 5:00 pm, and we reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications.
