Curator: Historic Furniture and Decorative Arts

Introduction

The Curator of the Historic Furniture and Decorative Arts Collection (HFDA) sits in the Heritage Collections Team (HCT) within Strategic Estates (SE). The HCT are responsible for the professional management of three collections of national and international importance: the Parliamentary Art Collection, the Historic Furniture and Decorative Arts Collection, and the Architectural Fabric Collection. This Team provides a bicameral service to the House of Commons and the House of Lords, and is responsible for all aspects of strategy, display, collections management, care and conservation, technical and procedural standards, documentation, loans and interpretation.

The Parliamentary Art Collection includes 10,000 artworks, the majority are on display across the Parliamentary Estate, and consists of paintings, sculpture, works on paper and other media ranging from ceramics to textiles, medals and political collectibles. The Historic Furniture and Decorative Arts collection includes 11,000 objects including historic furniture, clocks, silver and ceramics. It is a working collection with many objects in daily use across the Parliamentary Estate fulfilling the role for which they were designed and made. The Architectural Fabric Collection includes over 5,000 items which were commissioned for the Palace of Westminster but have been detached from the built fabric and historic interiors.

The Role

This is a new role within the Heritage Collections Team, reporting to the Keeper of Historic Furniture and Decorative Arts. The postholder will provide specialist and professional knowledge. They will lead on the research and interpretation of and access to the HFDA Collection, including cataloguing, reviewing and promoting the Collection.  They will work closely and collaboratively with colleagues in other Parliamentary teams across both Houses and the R&R Programme Team.

The successful candidate must have planning and organisational skills to manage the multiple facets of this wide-ranging, curatorial role, and be able to focus on the detailed object information, interpretation and research requirements of the Collection, as well as the assimilation of the practical requirements into comprehensive, effective data to inform its future care. This post offers an exciting opportunity to build and influence the direction of the HFDA Collection, to ensure its safety, contribute to the success of a fulsome review of the collection, and ensure Parliament maintains its duty of care to the Collections.

Skills and Experience

• Museum or heritage professional with significant experience of curatorial work in a public sector museum, art gallery or historic house, ideally in connection with historic furniture or decorative arts collections.
• Good communication skills and experience of undertaking and presenting collections-based research, including writing for the web, online and print publications, and making information accessible to diverse, specialist and non-specialist audiences.
• Thorough, analytical and highly organised with good time management skills and the ability to manage multiple workstreams efficiently and to a high standard. Ability to problem-solve and react to a fast-paced environment in a dynamic and positive way.
• Interest in and knowledge of 19th and 20th century furniture and decorative arts.
• Good interpersonal and team working skills and a collaborative approach with experience of leading work packages successfully within a team. Ability to deal tactfully and confidently with people at all levels, upholding the values of equality, diversity, and inclusion at all times.

Why Join?

In addition to your salary, we offer an attractive range of benefits including:

• 30 days’ annual leave (increasing to 35 days after first full leave year).
• Civil Service Pension scheme.
• Access to training and development.
• Flexible working.
• Interest free season ticket loan and bicycle loan.

Next Steps

If you would like to apply for this role, please submit a CV and a Personal Statement providing evidence against criteria 1-5 in the Job Description.

More information on the role and the full criteria can be found on the Job Description.