Jobs

Curator, National Videogame Museum/The BGI

Description


The BGI, charity number 1183530, is looking for a Curator to contribute to ongoing programme development at the National Videogame Museum/The BGI, delivering interpretation content and research relating to our gallery, exhibitions and collections. The new role will also be responsible for liaising with the museum’s local community and partners and will report directly to the Programme Manager.

The BGI’s mission 

The charity’s mission is to educate the public about the art, science, history and technology of videogames through running a museum, provision of education and research. Our independent and diverse team of staff, trustees and advisory board works to:

  • Create unique interactive exhibitions about games culture
  • Inspire thousands of schoolchildren in engaging workshops
  • Reveal careers in the UK’s fastest growing creative industry
  • Encourage everyone to play and make games

Working at the NVM

We’re a small, hardworking and diverse team that has battled through adversity to create an award-winning museum. We are creative problem solvers who believe in crafting fun and educational experiences that enrich our different communities’ lives. We’re passionate about our art form but don’t expect everyone to have deep knowledge of videogames. We’re adaptable and open to new ideas. We’re committed to diversity and inclusion in everything we do, including our recruitment. We work hard to ensure a level playing field for all applicants and will make reasonable accommodations as needed to people with disabilities. We do not discriminate based on disability, our offices are wheelchair accessible and we can provide materials in alternative formats. We’re looking for committed creative people to help build our organisation from this start-up phase towards a sustainable future.

Details

Job Title: Curator 

Accountable To: Programme Manager

Location: The National Videogame Museum, Castle House, Angel Street, Sheffield

Salary: £22,000-24,000 per annum, depending on experience

Hours: 40

Contract: 12 months, full-time

Usual Working Pattern: Monday to Friday, but likely to require flexible working

The curator will be an important role, working within our busy programme development team. They will be focussed on the ongoing curatorial development of the core gallery in Sheffield, whilst also contributing to the broader programme development and playing an active role in the life of the NVM. 

Accountabilities

  1. Supporting the ongoing curatorial development of the core gallery in Sheffield
  2. Contributing to collections research and broader programme development
  3. Engaging and liaising with local stakeholders

Responsibilities

Gallery development

  1. Develop interpretation content for gallery space and exhibitions  
  2. Contributing development of exhibitions programme
  3. Delivering gallery and online talking & touring events 
  4. Liaising with learning and visitor experience teams 

Collections and further programme development

  1. Performing background research on the collection 
  2. Support on collections development and cataloguing 
  3. Monitoring collections inbox and managing donation requests 
  4. Contributing to the creative development of the programme and bids 
  5. Producing online content for website
  6. Contributing content for internal and external publications

Community engagement

  1. Liaising with our local stakeholder groups (including schools and community groups)
  2. Developing partnerships with local organisations 
  3. Representing the NVM to other organisations and at events

Person Specification

Essential criteria

Qualification: 

Degree in museum studies, related discipline or equivalent work experience

Knowledge: 

Broad knowledge of videogame technologies and history (industry, cultures, communities).

Experience:
Experience working within museums or part of a creative team or industry

Skills:

  • Excellent written and oral communications skills
  • Excellent research skills
  • Excellent organisational skills 
  • Ability for multi-tasking and prioritisation under pressure
  • Ability for creative problem solving and adaptiveness; 
  • Ability to work as part of a fast-moving team
  • High degree of IT literacy


Desirable:

Experience of producing online & print content . 

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Applications should be emailed in the form of attached cover letter and CV to jobs@thenvm.org with the subject: [Curator] [your full name]

Please note that applications without a cover letter may not be considered.

The deadline for applications is 12th February 2021

Interviews will be held by video call within 1 week.

How we interview

  • All candidates and applications will be considered and responded to within a reasonable time frame.
  • We encourage all candidates to apply and will make the interview process accessible according to different candidates’ needs.
  • We will typically shortlist 3-6 candidates from the list of applicants.
  • We will provide interview questions in advance.
  • We will interview either in person or via video call, but will provide a remote alternative to an in-person interview on request. 
  • Video interviews will be conducted using Google Hangouts which allows captioning.
  • Interviewers will give their pronouns during the introductions.
  • We will tell shortlisted candidates why we shortlisted them for interview 
  • After the interview, we will provide feedback to unsuccessful candidates within a reasonable time frame.
  • We may conduct second round interviews with 1-3 candidates before offering one the role.
  • The BGI’s probationary period is 3 months.

If you would like to chase up the status of previous applications, please email jobs@thenvm.org.