Exhibition Research Assistant

Main Purpose

Supporting the Exhibition Curator in the development and delivery of the exhibition and accompanying publication, including undertaking research and supporting the exhibition administratively.

Key Work:

• Undertake a wide range of research tasks for the exhibition including on subject areas, collections, archives or objects relevant to the exhibition.

• Contribute to the development of the structure, themes and content of the exhibition, developing research subjects as required.

• Assist with the process of object selection, identifying relevant public and private collections.

This will involve: making arrangements for, and sometimes undertaking, research trips as necessary; developing and maintaining excellent relationships with lenders; preparing loan requests letters for the Exhibition Curator.

• Organise and maintain local paper and electronic records for the object list. Assist the Exhibition Curator with object movements and processing new acquisitions, updating and creating new entries on the V&A’s Collections Management System.

• For the accompanying publication, compile bibliographies, illustration lists, object checklists, timelines, captions, and any relevant end matter. Undertake picture research and assist with proofing and indexing. Liaise with contributing authors and the V&A Publishing team as required.

• Undertake picture research for the exhibition. Create and maintain an Excel spreadsheet for tracking permissions and copyrights as need for contextual images and audio-visual material selected for the exhibition, working closely with the Rights Clearance Manager.

• Prepare ‘tombstone’ information for object text labels alongside the Exhibition Curator and assist with editing of the exhibition text, in liaison with the Interpretation Producer. • Administer and contribute to the commissioning of films, and development of interactive, interpretive material for use in the exhibition if relevant.

• Support the Exhibition Curator and Exhibition Manager with partnerships and ventures both within the V&A and with other external organisations where necessary, including academic partners and lenders, and tour venues.

• Work collaboratively with the appointed designers. Assist the Exhibition Curator with aspects of briefing and provision of information to the designers (including 3D, 2D, lighting and audio-visual).

• Liaise with relevant sections of the V&A on behalf of the Exhibition Curator as and when necessary, including Learning, Development, Marketing, Press, Digital Media, Events, Commercial and Publications. Attend Project Team meetings and contribute to Curatorial reviews of the development of the exhibition.

Closing Date 19 June

Interviews 3 – 14 July