We are looking for a curator who will help us plan and deliver an exciting exhibition at the RBSA Gallery in Birmingham from 11 until 22 February 2025.
The Project: ‘Creative responses to terror’
Since 2004, public spaces in European cities have been hit by more than ten major terrorist attacks, killing hundreds of people and injuring thousands more. Our exhibition at the RBSA Gallery in Birmingham will feature creative contributions from professional artists and survivors of terrorist attacks in Spain, France, Germany, and the UK. The exhibition builds on years of fieldwork, interviews, and creative collaborations conducted as part of the European Research Council starting grant ‘Urban Terrorism in Europe: Remembering, Imagining, and Anticipating Violence’ (UrbTerr), led by Dr. Katharina Karcher at the University of Birmingham. The works exhibited provide a powerful illustration of how creative practice and objects can be used to remember violent loss, (re)claim agency, and to work towards less violent futures. The works displayed will range from photographs to audio installations (songs and spoken poetry), graffiti, and knitted objects.
We can use the RBSA Gallery space from 11 until 22 February 2025. Contributions from high-profile activists and internationally renowned creative practitioners will help boost public interest in the exhibition. To attract and engage different audiences, we will organise a range of events while the exhibition is on display. An opening event with presentations from local and international speakers and a reception will mark the exhibition’s launch. We will also host a series of creative workshops led by survivors and creative professionals, and we will use project funds to enable local and international victim organisations to participate in these workshops.
What we are looking for:
- We are looking for an individual who is happy to work with the UrbTerr team and who can join at least some of our virtual team meetings to develop this project.
- Previous experience in organizing public art exhibitions is desired but not necessary.
- While this will very much be a team effort, we are looking for someone who feels comfortable with taking the lead in developing the exhibition. This involves deciding what works will be included, and what format works best for different projects. Our hope is to create an exhibition that presents artifacts from different cultural contexts and that is accessible and appeals to different senses. We’d like to include sound, images, and – if possible – objects that can be explored in a tactile way.
- It is essential that the curator complies with the terms of the RBSA’s Contract of Hire conditions.
- The successful applicant will work with the UrbTerr team and the RBSA to create and disseminate promotional materials for the exhibition. We will be assisted in this task by the University of Birmingham’s Comms team.
- A vital part of the job will be to liaise with contributors to arrange the timely submission of the works that will be exhibited. In most cases, submissions will be made in digital form, but in some cases, a physical delivery might need to be arranged and will be covered by project funds.
- Last but not least, we are looking for someone who can help set up the exhibition on 11 February 2025 and be around for the opening event.
What we offer:
- We will use European Research Council funding to pay the curator £2,000 (including VAT) in two instalments. The invoice for the first instalment of £1,000 is to be raised within 10 Business Days of the date of this Contract. The invoice for the second instalment of £1,000 is to be raised on or after 11 February 2025.
- This opportunity comes with a lot of flexibility. Where possible, we’ll try to work around caring responsibilities and other commitments.
- There will be support and guidance from the UrbTerr team and professional services at the University of Birmingham.
How to apply:
- Send a short motivational statement and 2-page CV to m.c.parkes@bham.ac.uk. The application deadline is 1pm on 3 March 2024.
- Contact Dr Katharina Karcher (k.karcher@bham.ac.uk) should you have any questions regarding this post.