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Emerging Curator Vacancy

June 2026

Emerging Curator – South Square Centre

Paid at Real Living Wage £13.45ph

3 days pw (22.5hrs pw) – 8-month placement

Starting August 2026.

South Square is seeking an Emerging Curator to join our team for an 8-month placement aimed at learning, developing skills and increasing confidence for someone at the beginning of their career in contemporary visual arts. The Emerging Curator will get the opportunity to work across all aspects of the centre’s delivery including exhibitions, public realm projects, community-led projects, events and audience development.

The placement is open to anyone who has an active interest in pursuing a career in curatorial practice, arts management or arts production in the visual arts. 

About us:

South Square Centre is an arts, heritage and community centre in the heart of Thornton Village, Bradford, housed in former workers’ cottages. South Square is home to 3 exhibition spaces, 14 affordable studio spaces, a local history archive, a, café and bar and a community garden. The centre hosts community events for all ages, including an ongoing workshop & outreach programme.

South Square Centre is one of only three visual arts venues in Bradford City and we are the only cultural space in our semi-rural ward reaching 21k visitors and engaging with 3,000 per year through outreach. South Square also led on the OUR TURN Visual Arts Festival, which ran alongside the Turner Prize exhibition and was commissioned by Bradford City of Culture. The Centre hosts community events, including an ongoing workshop and outreach programme. Our programme reaches out to people across all ages, ethnicities, faiths, genders, sexuality, ability, and socio-economic position.

The role will include:

  • Assisting with the curation and installation of exhibitions, supporting the curator to care for artworks and to decide on the exhibition look & feel.
  • Supporting the writing and presentation of interpretation including producing accessible formats.
  • Supporting the development, design & delivery of events, which include onsite events such as exhibitions, workshops, artist talks and community events, as well as events across Bradford district.
  • Assisting with the organisation of above events, including souring materials, liaising with artists, facilitators and contractors, and managing ticket sales.
  • Liaising with and attending meetings with programme team Programme Manager/Director, Freelance Artists, Organisational Partners.
  • Collecting and collating feedback and project evaluation.
  • Supporting day-to-day operations, being a friendly face of our organisation and a support for visitors attending the centre.
  • Developing and supporting community workshops, including working with volunteers and work placement students.
  • Supporting marketing of exhibitions, events and workshops including; writing press releases, adding listing to online platforms, designing invites and marketing material, organising distribution of printed material, producing stories/content for online marketing.
  • Is this role for you?

We’re looking for an individual with some of the following qualities:

  • Ability to work in a self-directed manner and show initiative.
  • Excellent communication, written and IT skills.
  • Knowledge and experience of the regional cultural scene in Bradford and its audiences.
  • Experience and understanding of how to engage with a range of audiences.
  • Interest or experience in organising/producing exhibitions, cultural or heritage projects.
  • Understanding and knowledge of exhibitions, events and/or community projects.
  • Experience using social media to promote events.

Essential criteria

  • Priority will be given to those living in the Bradford district, but applications are open to those in the wider West Yorkshire area.
  • This application is not open to international applicants.
  • Those still studying are not eligible to apply unless their studies finish before the start date.
  • Must be flexible to work some evenings and weekends.

How to apply

Please submit a CV and a covering letter (max. 2 pages) outlining your relevant experience and interest in the role – feel free to also include images. Applicants must also fill in Equal Opportunity Form. Your responses will be kept strictly confidential and will not be used in any decisions affecting you.  

Applicants are also welcome to submit applications in audio or video format, files can be sent by WeTransfer or attached to an email. We request that they are within a duration of 15 minutes. 

Applications should be sent to [email protected] with ‘Emerging Curator Application’ in the subject line.

Would you like to speak with a member of our team about the role? We are offering 15-minute one-to-one Zoom sessions, which you are welcome to book.

These sessions will take place on Wednesday 1 July between 3:30pm and 5:00pm.

To reserve a slot, please email [email protected] with the subject line: ‘Zoom Request: Emerging Curator’, and include your preferred time (15 minute blocks).

If there is any additional support you require which will help you to complete your application then please reach out to us.  

Deadline

The deadline for applications is Monday 20th July at 23:59

Interviews will take place on Thursday 30th July on-site at South Square Centre.

Suggested start date: Tuesday 18th August