Research Curator, FACT, closes 4 Dec

As well as supporting artists at different stages of their careers, FACT recognises the importance of curatorial practice to maintain a vibrant cultural scene.

Curators impact how an artwork is made, shown, and talked about. They have the ability to make unique connections between ideas, people and projects which are specific to their interests or research. As such, they are a vital part of any art ecology, and FACT is eager to support the next generation of curators to develop their practice in sustainable ways and building on the expertise within the organisation.

OVERVIEW

60 days over 6-9 months, with at least 50% of time on-site
Hybrid residency (on and offline), operating within core office hours
£9,000 Fee / £2,000 Travel and accommodation / £1,000 Production
This post is considered a freelance position, and the successful candidate will be responsible for their own taxes

WHAT TO EXPECT

Our Research Curator role is aimed at early to mid-career curators and researchers who will focus on piloting and interrogating areas of research connected to FACT’s artistic programme. There is no fixed outcome, but we would like the Research Curator to focus on approaches to public engagement, developing a discourse around the ways in which artists access and utilise new technologies and examine the broader social and cultural impacts of those technologies.

We would like the Research Curator to help us develop ways of working that allow artists and invited external experts to reflect on their practices and to be able to share these insights in different ways with audiences. We would also like to work with the Research Curator to develop frameworks for collaboration between artists, technologists and audiences, evaluating and embedding this learning within the working practices of the team.

ELIGIBILITY

Applicants should be interested in the overlapping fields of art and technology, approaching this from a critical and/or social perspective.
Their work should seek to push our current programme and approach: specifically the ways we work as an artist-centred organisation.
This role is open to curators from any background or discipline
Although the title includes the word ‘research’, no academic experience or Higher Education is required.
Applicants should be early to mid-career (2-5 years experience), having worked on the delivery of some public-facing projects in their chosen specialism or field of research.
We will not invite applications from those currently in undergraduate study. Postgraduates, postdocs and those in non-formal education can apply.
Applicants will be committed to Equality, Diversity, Access and Inclusion both in their programming and their approach to working with artists, colleagues and participants.
Applicants must be based in the UK.

DELIVERABLES & EXPECTATIONS

To undertake a hybrid residency, operating within core office hours (10am – 4pm), the equivalent of 60 days over 6 – 9 months, with at least 50% of time on-site.
To work with the team to develop and pilot different approaches to collaboration, public engagement and evaluation in relation to the social impacts of working with new media and digital technology.
To design and take part in a public programme that reflects their research and is focused on audience interaction and engagement.
Supported by the Programme Technologist, to develop ways to utilise online platforms to disseminate elements of their research to remote audiences.
To experiment with ways of making their research visible, and inviting both audience members and other associate creatives into dialogue with their work.
To take part in the Practice Development Programme of our new experimental production space, Studio/Lab. This will include acting as a mentor (as planned and assisted by the Studio/Lab Manager) for the Curatorial Intern and our Studio/Lab Artists in Residence.
To build connections across both FACT and Liverpool or the North West: site your practice in both the organisations and city’s unique contexts.

BENEFITS / RESOURCES

£9,000 Fee / £2,000 Travel and accommodation / £1,000 Production.
The team will help to realise curatorial outcomes, and also nurture the curator’s developing practice: how they work with artists, institutions and audiences. This support includes insights from across the whole organisation, from curatorial and participatory to technical and promotional.
Embedded physical workspace, with access to a range of hardware and software from technical and messy production spaces to high-speed computers and rendering programmes, and video/audio recording and editing tools.
A schedule of developmental activities alongside other creatives, researchers and producers with the team, including support and 1-2-1 mentorships from the Curator-in-Residence and FACT’s Head of Programme.
Access to a wide network of artists, curators and research through our Programme but also through Studio/Lab, where they have the opportunity to work alongside our residents and become embedded in the organisation.
Access to local partners, from academic institutions to creative technology labs and major arts organisations.
Introductions to other makers, organisations and producers in similar fields based in the UK, and specifically the North West.
A space to experiment – working directly with the team’s knowledge of our audiences, and our eagerness to try out new approaches to develop and test out individual’s practices in a way not possible in some other gallery spaces.
Support to move onto the next stage of their career, specifically through support in writing applications for future roles, open calls, or funding opportunities as well as networking opportunities (within academia, the arts etc.) and practical experience.

HOW TO APPLY

FACT is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds. To apply, please complete the following two forms.

Please submit a current CV or portfolio (this can be a link to your website) along with a proposal outlining your curatorial interests and how these might respond to FACT’s areas of focus as outlined in the Recruitment Pack. The proposal must be no longer than 2 pages, or if you would like to submit a video or audio file, no longer than 5 minutes. Proposals can include images and artist names as reference materials.

Application Form
1. Please upload your CV/Portfolio and Proposal (maximum of 2 pages each)
2. Please label the attached files as: Your Name_CV and Your Name_Proposal
Confidential Equal Opportunities Survey

Closing date: Sunday 4 December 2022, 23:59.

Interviews will take place week commencing 12 December 2022.

We are committed to providing equal access to everyone, so if you require any adjustments or help with the application or interview process, please contact residency@fact.co.uk

For more info visit https://www.fact.co.uk/news/2022/11/opportunity-research-curator