Jobs

Paolozzi Project Archivist / Curator
Collection & Research
Full-time, Fixed Term for 2 years
Salary £29,816 – £32,645 per annum (Band 5)
Plus generous benefits package

THE PAOLOZZI PROJECT

The National Galleries of Scotland accepted a major gift from Sir Eduardo Paolozzi in 1995, which included: c.2500 maquettes, models, moulds, and sculptures made from a variety of materials; around 2000 prints; 500 drawings; 9000 photographs; and 3000 slides. The gift also included a vast quantity of additional archival material: at the time estimated to number 80,000 items – magazines, tearsheets, correspondence, sketches, some artworks, and ephemera.

In 2017 the Galleries received a major bequest from the late Professor Robin Spencer, a highly respected Paolozzi scholar, and we are now embarking on a 2-year project to catalogue our Paolozzi holdings and to establish NGS as a centre for research on Paolozzi’s expanded practice as public artist, sculptor, collagist, printmaker, designer, and teacher.

THE ROLE

This is a specialist role for an Archivist with relevant curatorial experience, created to manage the archival aspects of the Paolozzi Project and to work on the programme around Eduardo Paolozzi’s centenary year planned for early 2024.

You will manage the development and maintenance of the Paolozzi Archive and ensure that the collection is made accessible for research and display, with a specific focus on centenary celebrations in 2024. You will develop and maintain contacts with external stakeholders including The Paolozzi Foundation, the artist’s estate, academic and professional peers, collectors, funding bodies etc., and handle enquiries from the general public.

Reporting to the Librarian (Modern and Contemporary Art) you will work closely with a dedicated Paolozzi Project Conservator as well as the wider Modern & Contemporary team. Working in this key role to deliver the aims of the project, your main focus will be promoting NGS holdings relating to Sir Eduardo Paolozzi outlined above, through cataloguing and display, with additional day to day responsibilities as a member of the wider team.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Initiating and developing ideas and proposals for the public programme of exhibitions, displays, and talks, in consultation with senior colleagues.
• Producing research and interpretive material, including publications, talks, captions, etc., and contributing to the digital engagement programme.
• Project management of exhibitions, displays, and other relevant initiatives, in liaison with senior colleagues.
• Maintaining accurate catalogue records and other relevant data pertaining to archive and special collections.
• Developing the archive and special collections in liaison with Curators and other colleagues.
• Liaising with colleagues in Collection Management and Estates to ensure the highest standards of care and protection for the NGS collection, including advising on the NGS loans programme.
• Responsible for the storage and care of archive and special collections, in liaison with the Project Conservator.
• Budget management for specific areas and projects.
• Maintaining a high standard of access to collections for NGS colleagues and the public, including day to day management of research spaces.
• Developing and maintaining an appropriate network of contacts and stakeholders, including lenders, donors, other museums, gallery professionals, etc.
• Contributing to education and other programmes across NGS.
• Collaborating with other NGS departments and contributing to audience development plans, in line with the overall NGS vision of broadening access to the collection.
• Contributing to NGS partnership initiatives – national and international.
• Representing archival interests at relevant NGS committees and working groups.
• Representing NGS at relevant professional conferences.
• Managing the recruitment and supervision of volunteers.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND EXPERIENCE

The following range of knowledge skills and experience are required. Please ensure these are reflected in your application. Short listing for interview will be based on meeting these requirements.

Essential
• Educated to degree level with a recognised post-graduate qualification in archive and/or records management, or equivalent training/experience.
• Must have extensive experience of working in an archive repository along with demonstrable experience of working with complex and varied archival collections.
• Knowledge of content standards for archive description (i.e. ISAD(G)).
• Experience of working in a museum or gallery environment with thorough knowledge of collection care issues, including appropriate archival storage, handling and preservation.
• Good knowledge of 20th and 21st century art, with a particular interest in Scottish Post-War art.
• Understanding of relevant legislation (including Copyright, and GDPR).
• Excellent literacy skills with ability to produce clear and accurate documentation.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with both internal and external contacts.
• Excellent time management and planning skills, prioritising workload to meet deadlines.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team, sometimes in a leading role, with a proactive approach to sharing information with colleagues.
• Excellent problem solving and research skills.
• Good IT skills, including CALM or similar archive cataloguing database and standard software (MS Word, Excel, etc.)
• Knowledge of relevant Health and Safety regulations and approaches (including manual handling and ladder use).

Desirable
• Experience in managing junior posts and/or volunteers.
• Experience of academic collaboration.
• Experience of writing for traditional publications and social media.
• Knowledge of a European language.
• UK driving licence.

ABOUT US

The National Galleries of Scotland (NGS) is home to one the world’s finest collections of art, which ranges from the Middle Ages to the present day. Our spectacular buildings house the world’s greatest collection of Scottish art, and a world-renowned collection of Scottish and international photography, welcoming many visitors to our three principal sites in Edinburgh: the Scottish National Gallery, the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, and the Scottish National Portrait Gallery. The National Galleries of Scotland aims to preserve, display, and augment the collections for the enjoyment and education of the widest possible public and to maintain NGS as a centre of excellence.

This is an exciting period of renewal for NGS, as we move forward with our engaging strategic vision that puts our audience at the heart of what we do. We’re making it our mission to broaden our impact, matching our rich collections, expertise and creativity to the needs and wants of our visitors. We’re finding new ways to connect with more people, and creating an innovative, inclusive organisation that can meet the challenges of our ever-evolving world.

‘Art for Scotland: Inspiration for the world’ is Our Vision. Inclusive, original, and ambitious – we will make the national collection accessible to all and inspire curiosity across the world.

At NGS we are committed to looking at how we operate as well as how we engage with our visitors and communities. We want to play our part in tackling the Climate Emergency. We will ensure Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) is embedded across our organisation, ensuring everyone feels a sense of belonging and can be themselves.

NGS are working towards reducing our environmental impact and aim to have net-zero carbon emissions before 2045. Our response to the Climate Emergency and EDI is integral to our work and all our colleagues and departments play a part in achieving this. Our primary Climate Emergency focus areas are engaging our communities, improving our operations, and adapting to future climate changes.
SUMMARY TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Salary: £29,816 – £32,645 per annum (2021-22 pay structure)

Starting salaries will normally be at the minimum or at a rate that reflects qualifications and/or experience which are of special value for the post, and which are above minimum entry requirements.

Hours: 42 hours per week inclusive of a one-hour lunch break each day.

Location: The Gallery of Modern Art Two, Belford Road, Edinburgh.

Annual Leave: 25 days per annum (this moves to 30 days after 5 years continual service) plus 11.5 public and privilege holidays per annum, pro-rata depending on hours

Pension: Civil Service pension provisions enables the National Galleries of Scotland to offer a choice of occupational and stakeholder pensions, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.

Please note that the successful candidate will be subject to Basic Disclosure Scotland security clearance.

The closing date for completed applications is Sunday, 30 October 2022

Application Deadline: Sunday 30/10/2022