Contract Type: Freelance About the Role Each Convenor is expected to have expertise and experience relevant to at least one of these research areas prioritised by BAN: - Curating in Northern Ireland (NI) - understanding and engaging with local ecologies for curatorial work in NI - creating a platform for sharing experience and knowledge. Further information is on our website. This Convenorship would suit someone who: - is passionate about creating positive change through curatorial research and programming You don't need to tick every box - if you think you'd be a great fit and are excited by the role, we'd love to hear from you. To provide research leadership and undertake specialist programming that will further develop the British Art Network's (BAN) reach, relevance and impact. The Convenor will: Further responsibilities can be found in the job description available on our website. To apply, please complete the online application form which can be found here: If you have any issues accessing the form, require adjustments during the recruitment process or have any questions about the role, please get in touch with our HR team at [email protected]. Closing Date: 10am BST 24 August 2026Job Description
Duration: 10 months, October 2026 - July 2027, equivalent to ca. 36 days' work
Fee: £12,600 (paid in instalments), plus travel and delivery budget of £3,000
Location: Remote: Applicants can be based anywhere in the UK or Ireland and may need to travel for events
Closing Date: 10am BST 24 August 2026
Start Date: 1 October 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter
The British Art Network (BAN) is seeking two Convenors with the curatorial experience, insight and imagination to help lead its research activity and programme in exciting new directions in 2026-27. Each Convenor will provide research leadership in a specific topic area, developing BAN's understanding and engagement through programme activity and communications, and contributing to longer-term plans for the Network.
- Curating Historic British Art - the challenges and opportunities in presenting and interpreting art from the past; sharing skills and knowledge around maintaining criticality and addressing audiences.
- Developing Curatorial Careers - Between "Emerging" and "Established" - how do curators identify, sustain themselves and continue to develop once they have "emerged"? deepening understandings of the challenges and needs "mid-career".
- Curating in Non-Metropolitan Contexts - exploring the specific dynamics of curating art outside of city centres, finding ways of addressing the major challenges and issues whether material, practical or critical.
- Working with Collections - what are the possibilities for working with collections given the transformation of curatorial roles and practices, and the material pressures in play?Job Requirements
- is committed to BAN's aims and objectives, while seeing the potential for deepening and extending the Network's reach
- has a depth of experience in curating, curatorial research or working with collections or heritage in the broad field of British art, and is looking to develop and share that expertise and lead research
- has a track record of impactful research and engagement in one of the special interest areas identified as a priority by BAN
- has a practical mindset, with an understanding of project management and event delivery
- is a comfortable communicator, both in-person and in published formats
- is collaborative, forward looking and open mindedJob Responsibilities
have regular contact points with the BAN team, on an agreed schedule
attend and contribute to BAN Steering Group meetings, on an agreed schedule
agree a programme, timeline and budget plan with the BAN team, sharing all relevant planning documents and other records with BAN
plan and deliver BAN programme activity within their area of special interest and within the agreed programme budget
advocate for BAN within existing and emerging potential contacts and contributors
be a point of contact for BAN Members, providing advice and sharing research and learning with individual Members
identify and develop opportunities to collaborate across and beyond BANUseful Links
How to Apply
https://thepaulmelloncentre.hrpartner.io/jobs