Curator
Organisation: Stirling Smith Art Gallery & Museum
Salary: £32,000
Location: Stirling
The Stirling Smith is looking for a Curator to join us on a 35-hour full time, fixed term contract for a period of 2 years from date of appointment.
As Curator at The Smith, you will be joining our small team working on our existing exhibitions programme, collections projects and public enquiries as well as developing our partnership work with local and national bodies.
2025 is an exciting year for the museum as we will be hosting significant loans from the National Museum of Scotland and the British Museum. As our curator, you will be responsible for managing these two important loans, working with colleagues from both organisations and developing a creative and exciting events programme around the loans.
Our collections are nationally and internationally significant. With Stirling’s social history at its heart, we are committed to making sure people experience our world-class collections and have the chance to engage with our rich heritage. As our curator, you will be responsible for helping make our collections accessible through a range of activities as well as addressing public enquires.
About The Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum
The Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum – formerly The Smith Institute – has played a special part in the history of Stirling since its foundation in 1874. Established by the bequest of artist Thomas Stuart Smith (1815-1869) on land supplied by the Burgh of Stirling, it is an historic public-private partnership which has continued to the present day. The Smith was founded as a gallery of mainly contemporary art, with museum and library reading room ‘for the benefit of the inhabitants of Stirling, Dunblane and Kinbuck.’ Today, it functions as a gallery, museum, and cultural centre for the Stirling area. It is the repository for the historical artefacts and paintings of Stirlingshire, at the same time offering exhibition opportunities for contemporary artists. Over twenty community groups meet regularly in its lecture theatre, and a café and biodiversity garden are among its attractions.
The role
As a Curator you will be an integral part of our small team. You will be required to develop an expert knowledge of the collection through research and documentation, to enhance the collection through active collecting and disposal, and to manage the development and delivery of displays and other programmes of public engagement and communication.
The candidate
If you’re interested in joining us as our Curator you will need:
• A degree or equivalent experience in a relevant subject area
• Excellent understanding of the needs of audiences, especially those who do not regularly visit museums
• Demonstrate experience of using collections to develop content and interpretation for diverse audiences within a museum context.
• Ability to work in partnership with other organisations, including community organisations
• Excellent communication skills, written and verbal.
This post will require travel throughout Stirlingshire, when necessary, however your primary location will be The Smith Museum in Stirling.
This role is working Monday to Friday, 9-5, but occasional evening and weekend work will be required for community engagement activity.
Application process
Application for the Curator post is by CV and cover letter. Your cover letter should address the job/person spec and how you fit the role.
You can read the full job/person specification and apply for this role by visiting https://www.smithartgalleryandmuseum.co.uk/about/jobs
Applications should be emailed to jobs@thesmith.scot
Important Dates: Closing date Monday 3 February at 5pm and interviews are provisionally scheduled for Monday 24 February.
Diversity Matters
We know there is a wealth of talent among people who have a disability, and we encourage applications from people with differing abilities. If you need any support completing an application form, or any other format for the application or Job Description please contact admin@thesmith.scot
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults and children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.