London, UK
Head of architecture and Heinz curator
at Royal Academy of Arts
Royal Academy of Arts is seeking a head of architecture and Heinz curator in London.
Job title: head of architecture and Heinz curator
Department: exhibitions
Reports to: director of exhibitions
Responsible for: strategy and programme of architecture exhibitions, talks, awards and activities
Background
Led by eminent artists and architects, our aim is to position the Royal Academy as a destination for world-class exhibitions and debate. Architecture at the RA is presented in the context of a broader programme focused on historic and contemporary art, and aims to explore the intersection between architecture and the arts for a broad audience. Over the past decade the programme has included major thematic exhibitions like Sensing Spaces: Architecture Reimagined and EcoVisionaries: Confronting a planet in a state of emergency, as well as important monographic exhibitions on leading architects such as Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers. These have taken place alongside a dynamic and intellectually rigorous series of activities that have ranged from thematically focused displays to lectures by leading international architects and academic symposia; from multidisciplinary panel discussions to performative events and immersive experiences. In 2018 the RA launched an Architecture Awards Programme. This comprises the Royal Academy Architecture Prize, in recognition of an exceptional contribution to the culture of architecture, and the Royal Academy Dorfman Award, which champions new international talent in architecture. The architecture programme is hosted online and across the RA’s campus in buildings that span the 17th to the 21st centuries and that have been designed by leading British architects.
In the context of the coronavirus pandemic, the RA is facing unprecedented financial challenges and to this end we have recently completed a significant restructure of the organization, which resulted in a collective consultation and a 30% reduction in our workforce. The challenge ahead is to develop a new vision and strategy for architecture at the Academy which cements the RA’s profile as a centre of architecture exhibitions and debate, while remaining responsive to a landscape that is still evolving.
Working with the architecture committee and chair, the head of architecture and Heinz curator will be responsible for shaping a new, audience-focused vision for the architecture programme, one which reflects expanding definitions of architecture beyond the established canon to champion architecture that is inclusive and diverse. The head of architecture and Heinz curator will be specifically responsible for devising and curating periodic exhibitions and displays that are attuned to contemporary developments, identifying and forging partnerships with museums, galleries and organisations internationally. They will also give shape to and oversee a programme of talks and events, exploring the possibilities of digital platforms and working in collaboration with programming colleagues across exhibitions, collections, learning and the Royal Academy Schools. Retaining strategic oversight for the programme, they will review and measure impact, fundraise and act as public spokesperson for architecture at the academy.
The head of architecture and Heinz curator will lead a small team of two who hold the subject specialism at the RA. Supported by their team, they will lead on setting the architecture agenda at the RA, representing architecture across the Academy and its activities.
Main objectives:
- to set the direction and vision for a world-class architecture programme at the Royal Academy, encompassing exhibitions, talks and activities, in consultation with the director of exhibitions (DofE), CEO and chair of architecture committee
- to ensure the successful implementation and delivery of the programme, managing the architecture team, budgets, and architecture committee
- defining the programme of architecture exhibitions, with specific responsibility for curating exhibitions and displays
- to oversee and help shape an events programme which responds to wider architectural practice and ideas
- to build strategic partnerships with diverse organisations, to enrich programming with diverse points of view
- to be the senior advocate for architecture at the RA, ensuring the vision and objectives are understood and supported by key leadership stakeholders
- to monitor and report on the architecture team’s performance and key milestones at senior committee meetings
- to identify opportunities to increase collaboration between architecture, learning, collections and the RA Schools
Main duties
Strategic leadership:
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- lead the development of the RA’s architecture strategy overall – including ambitions, key priorities, and objectives
- set objectives and lead prioritised execution within the team
- assess the impact across all our activities to help prioritise where we should focus effort and resource going forward, balancing the need to deliver charitable mission-led activities with our commercial goals which aim to secure financial sustainability well into the future
- work with the development department (sponsorship, trusts and foundations and patrons teams) to develop a funding strategy that secures support for architecture at the Royal Academy
- identify potential supporters and contribute to writing sponsorship documents and funding applications.
- work on sponsorship pitches and be a passionate spokesperson for the programme and its various activities
- support the development department in ongoing sponsor relations and servicing
- establish an effective communications strategy for architecture in collaboration with press, marketing and digital teams
- cultivate and maintain relationships with external organisations, potential partners and professionals
- keep abreast of architectural and cultural debate and development both nationally and internationally with the ability to inform and supplement the programme
- undertake research on specified subjects to strengthen and inform the programme
- contribute to general RA initiatives and strategic thinking
Exhibitions and displays:
- define the overall strategy for architecture exhibitions at the RA in consultation with the DofE
- oversee the implementation of the strategy, including selecting and proposing exhibitions for consideration by the architecture and exhibition committees
- work in close collaboration with the senior curator and curatorial teams, attending and contributing to exhibitions and curatorial meetings, updating on the status of architecture programme
- curate architecture exhibitions, either in partnership with other organisations, in collaboration with external curators, or as lead curator initiating own exhibitions
Tasks include:
- identify relevant works, negotiate loans, and commission architects and artists where appropriate
- working closely with the exhibitions management team, input into budget setting; contribute and adhere to project schedules
- work closely with the rights and reproductions team to identify images to be used in the exhibition and related materials, support them in seeking permissions and adhering to stipulations
- together with the assistant curator, develop interpretation material including but not limited to audio-guides, gallery guides, exhibition text panels and labels
- work closely with the publications department in the preparation and production of exhibition catalogues
- prepare and deliver high quality presentations, lectures and tours to various audiences during the development and duration of the exhibition.
- day-to-day supervision of the assistant curator including delegating tasks; instructing, supporting and guiding
Talks, awards and programme:
- define the overall strategy for architecture talks, awards and activities, that cultivates a rich debate on architecture for the public
- oversee the team responsible for the awards and programme, supporting and guiding as necessary
- ensure the awards and programme have the desired impact and profile
Stakeholder management:
- as secretary to the architecture committee, support the chair in the overall management of the committee including liaising with members, compiling Meeting agendas, writing reports and overseeing minutes
- cultivate relationships with key donors, supporters and stakeholders
- build relationships with Royal academicians to support our architecture programmes
Financial management:
- construct the annual architecture budget, in alignment with the strategic objectives of the department, and in conjunction with the DofE and finance department
- ensure the budget is strictly adhered to, monitoring monthly reports and progress, signing off spending by members of the team
- review and update the quarterly forecasts as required, identifying scope for efficiency savings
Additional
- undertake any other duty which may reasonably be allocated by the DofE or other senior officer
- ensure that health and safety policies, procedures and regulations are known understood and complied by you, the team and internal and external colleagues and suppliers
Person specification
Knowledge:
- a degree in architecture, architectural history or related subject, with a strong background in curating, contemporary practice and architecture scholarship, and ideally a postgraduate qualification
Experience
The appointed candidate will have demonstrable experience in the following areas:
- leadership experience, including setting strategic objectives and managing teams
- devising, curating and delivering architecture exhibitions, including writing exhibition interpretation texts and publications for a broad audience
- creating and implementing successful audience-led public programmes
- dealing with press across media formats and outputs
- initiating and managing successful partnerships with architecture and cultural organisations, universities or similar
- working with architects and other presenters to deliver inspiring programmes of engagement
- sponsorship and fundraising experience and success
- tracking impact and evaluating programme for effectiveness
- managing teams (and budgets) in a challenging financial environment
- working collaboratively with multi-functional teams to build programming and audience engagement
Skills:
- strength and aptitude in strategic planning and vision setting
- first class oral and written communication skills, with a demonstrable ability to communicate on the subject area to a wide range of audiences, especially the non-specialist
- ability to manage time effectively, to deliver numerous projects simultaneously
- strong skills in leading internal teams at a time of great change and opportunity
- excellent relationship management, communications and influencing skills and ability to work collaboratively across a complex stakeholder environment
- strong people manager, able to inspire a large team and build new capabilities
- strong knowledge of architecture, ideally with a postgraduate qualification in an architectural discipline