Curatorial Volunteer, Uni of Reading Art Collections (MERL)
Curatorial Volunteer – University of Reading Art Collections
Closing date: midday Thursday 20th June
Location:
Volunteering role for University of Reading Art Collections – normally based at The Museum of English Rural Life, Redlands Road, Reading RG1 5EX
Why we want you
You will assist the University Art Collections Team with a range of research, cataloguing and administrative tasks in connection to the management and promotion of the University Art Collection.
We are offering this role as an opportunity for anyone interested in developing a career working in museums and galleries, for a fixed period of 3 months (most likely July to Sept 2024).
What you will be doing
- Collections-based research
- Helping with the inventory (making a complete list) of specific areas of the collection
- Contributing to the development of online material, including blogs and social media
- Basic administrative work, including exhibition admin (if applicable)
What you will gain in return
- Experience of working with an art collection
- Experience of collections-based research
- Experience within a museum environment as part of a small team
This role will suit you if you have
- An interest in art collections, both historical and contemporary
- Good IT skills
- Ability to work independently
- Good time management skills and attention to detail
How much time will it take up?
This role best suits someone who can provide about one day a week
Who will I report to?
You will report to Clare Plascow, Collections Officer
How to apply
If you do not already volunteer for Museums Partnership Reading, please complete your volunteer registration form on our volunteering platform, Better Impact http://bttr.im/w2yev by midday on Thursday 20th June 2024.
*Please ensure you tick ‘Curatorial Volunteer – Art Collections’ in your ‘Interests’ Section under ‘My Profile’ when registering*
If you are using a mobile or tablet, once you click ‘Fill in an Application’, look out for the suggestion ‘It looks like you are on a mobile device. For a better experience on smart phones, go to Mobile Application Form’ and click on the link it suggests.
When you are happy with your application, please don’t forget to click SUBMIT – otherwise we will never receive your form!
Existing volunteers/ applicants on the waiting list
If you are already registered to volunteer with Museums Partnership Reading, please log in to the volunteering platform, click on My Profile, select the ‘Interests’ section, and ensure you tick the box next to ‘Curatorial Volunteer – Art Collections’ by midday on Thursday 20th June 2024. You may want to update your ‘Additional info’ fields to reflect any experience and skills you have gained since you initially applied or joined the volunteering team.
Matching to the role
We are looking for one volunteer for this role. Behind the scenes collections roles are very popular and we a fortunate to find that many more people apply for the role than we have vacancies, so we are unable to accept all applicants. You are welcome to attach your CV if you wish, but please include key relevant information when answering the application form questions, as this may be used if we need to shortlist from a larger group of applicants.
If we think you are a match for this role, we will invite you to an informal interview with Clare Plascow and Sheila Fisher (Museum Partnership Reading Volunteer Coordinator), where you can have an opportunity to tell us about your interests and experience, and ask us some questions.
