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Freelance Curator, National Coal Mining Museum for England

  •  Yorkshire
  •  ÂŁ10k-15k
  •  Full time
  •  Closes March 16, 2026
  •  Katie Cavanagh
  •  katie.cavanagh@ncm.org.uk
  • #Museums
New

Description

Job Summary

Supported by Art Fund Reimagine Grant funding, the National Coal Mining Museum for England are looking for an experienced curator with experience in co-creation and work with communities to deliver a redisplay project and art installation focusing on our Industrial Heritage collection at the Museum

Job Description

Supported by Art Fund Reimagine Grant funding, the National Coal Mining Museum for England are looking for an experienced curator with experience in co-creation and work with communities to work with us on a redisplay project and art installation.

Working with our mighty Industrial Heritage collection of mining related machinery, we would like the curator to co-create a gallery space with innovative new interpretation, art installation and accessible exhibits in the Museum's Powerhouse. The Powerhouse was developed as an open access store for the Industrial Heritage collection, but this has become overcrowded, hazardous and not accessible or engaging for our visitors.

We want to collect stories about the machinery in our collection from former miners, and by working with communities and individuals to uncover new, lived experience narratives from those who used these objects in their working lives. You will work closely with the Collections team to develop this work, leading to a newly curated Powerhouse gallery opening December 2026.

You will carry out regular evaluation throughout the delivery of the project, completing any funding reports and final evaluation report required by the Art Fund Reimagine Grant.

Job Requirements

  • Proven experience of working with communities to co-produce displays and content rooted in exploration of museum collections
  • Excellent people skills.
  • Good communication skills, written and verbal including experience in producing museum interpretation.
  • Creative flair and a passion for making museum collections accessible
  • Strong understanding of the museum and arts sectors.
  • Ability to navigate different perspectives and sometimes conflicting viewpoints.
  • Experience of object handling, collection management and display.
  • Willingness to work collaboratively with colleagues.
  • Ability to work flexibly and to deadlines.
  • Budget management and reporting.
  • Strong commitment to equality and inclusion which is a key element of this role.

Job Responsibilities

Responsibilities will include:

  • Working with new and existing community partners exploring the Industrial Heritage collection and what it means to them.
  • Curating displays to showcase this work, working with freelance interpretation designers.
  • Commissioning freelance interpretation designers to produce graphic elements of displays and interactives.
  • Commissioning a freelance artist to create new work in response to the collection, stories and lived experience of ex-miners.
  • Manage the curation and installation of exhibits and displays, associated interpretation and artwork installation.
  • Carrying out evaluation throughout the duration of the project and producing reports for the Art Fund as required, including the final report.

Useful Links

How to Apply

To apply, send the following to [email protected]:
• CV
• Cover letter (no more than 2 pages) detailing your suitability for the role including examples of previous work.
• A budget breakdown, detailing how many days’ work at what day rate this would equate to.
• 2 referees (these will only be contacted in the event you are shortlisted for the position)
Please save documents using your name and this job role as the title.
Interviews will take place either remotely or at National Coal Mining Museum, Caphouse Colliery, New Road, Overton, Wakefield, WF4 4RH.

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