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Young Curator - Zoe

From Art Graduate to Community Curator: A Case Study in Early Career Development

Programme overview

The Young Curator role at South Square Centre (SSC) offers 18-25 year olds a three-day-per-week position combining curatorial experience with community engagement. Funded through Arts Council England with heritage outcome requirements, the programme has provided hands-on experience in gallery management, exhibition curation, and community arts programming.

Participant profile

Zoe Maxwell graduated from Leeds Arts University in June 2024 with a BA in Fine Art. Originally from Manchester, she had previous work experience including a Leeds 2023 placement and a four-month part-time programme assistant role. Despite her initial assumptions about curation being “too academic” and concerns about not having attended a Russell Group university, she applied for the Young Curator position. She was attracted to the 3-days a week role as the time commitment would allow her to maintain her own art practice and a studio residency in Leeds.

The role evolution

Key projects and achievements

Heritage Exhibition: “PART(Y) of the Arts”

Zoe developed an original exhibition exploring SSC’s history from the 1980s, combining:

    • Archival research and materials
    • Interviews with long-term community members including Patricia (studio holder since early 2000s) and Nikki Prescott (who attended events as a 16-year-old)
    • Original paintings informed by her research
    • Documentation of community stories and heritage

Community Programme Innovation

Using £2000 of Cultural Development Fund heritage funding, Zoe developed creative workshops for the established Knit and Natter group, introducing:

    • Challenge-based learning encouraging participants to try new techniques
            • Sunflower making, felting, papermaking, embroidery, quilling
    • Documentation through animator artist sketches
    • Making connections between traditional textile skills and contemporary creative practices.

Skills Development and Learning

Professional growth

    • Attention to detail: Learning to manage multiple projects simultaneously
    • Community engagement: Developing increased skills and confidence in group leadership and facilitation
    • Curatorial practice: Evolution from programme delivery to strategic programming
    • Project management: Seeing projects from conception through to completion

Sector understanding

The role transformed Zoe’s understanding of the art sector, particularly:

    • Recognition of community as the biggest resource for artists
    • Understanding of how opportunities arise through professional networks
    • Appreciation for accessible, community-focused curatorial practice
    • Awareness of the gap between university education and professional practice
  • Success Factors
    1. Flexible role definition: Allowing the position to evolve based on participant skills and organisational needs
    2. Supportive environment: “Nice place to make mistakes” with patient colleagues
    3. Real responsibility: Genuine curatorial decision-making rather than just assistance
    4. Community integration: Deep engagement with existing groups and activities
    5. Portfolio approach: Three-day week allowing continued personal practice
    6. Extended timeline: Contract extensions providing deeper and more meaningful learning opportunities
  2.  
  3. Challenges and lessons learnt
    • Multiple skill sets required: Need for attention to detail, people skills, and creative abilities
    • Project juggling: Managing multiple concurrent projects and responsibilities
    • Community engagement: Learning to work with established groups with different expectations

For South Square Centre

    • Title clarity: “Young Curator” questioned as potentially limiting or unclear as a title 
    • Experience paradox: Open application process for 18-25 year olds, but prior experience still advantageous
    • Role definition: Balancing assistant duties with genuine curatorial responsibility
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The role evolution

Initial Expectations vs Reality

Zoe initially understood her role as caring for “the space, the art, the people” but found it began more like her previous programme assistant work. Over time, particularly after January 2025 when new colleague Domino joined, the role evolved into genuine curatorial responsibility.

Contract development

    • November 2024: Started on 6-month fixed-term contract until May 2025
    • January 2025: Extended to August 2025 when South Square secured additional funding
    • Current: Potential extension to December 2025
Diverse responsibilities
The role encompasses multiple functions:
    • Exhibition Programming: Developing artist lists, contacting artists, installation of exhibitions
    • Community Engagement: Leading Knit and Natter group activities using Kala Sangam heritage funding
    • Workshop Delivery: Designing and delivering painting workshops from conception to completion
    • Event Support: Contributing to Mindful May, Thornton Art Trail, and other community events
    • Archive Work: Researching and curating an exhibition linked to heritage, including Zoe’s own artwork

Impact and Outcomes

    • Career clarity: Shift in understanding about traditional academic curation and desire to move toward community-based learning engagement work
    • Professional network: Building connections within Leeds/Yorkshire art scene
    • Practical experience: Gaining skills not taught in university settings
    • Practice development: Art practice informed by curatorial work and community engagement

For South Square Centre

    • Programme flexibility: Adaptation to participant’s skills and interests (e.g. giving Zoe the chance to deliver still life painting workshops)
    • Community connections: Strengthened relationships with long-term community members
    • Heritage documentation: Archive research and community story collection leading to an exhibition
    • Fresh perspectives: Young curator bringing new approaches to programming

For the community

    • Intergenerational exchange: Young curator working with an established community group with elderly participants
    • Skill sharing: Introduction of new creative techniques to regular participants
    • Heritage preservation: Creative documentation and celebration of the organisation’s history

  • Recommendations For Similar Programmes

      • Extended contracts: Six months insufficient for deep learning; 12+ months optimal
      • Role titles: Consider “Trainee Curator” or “Assistant Curator” for clarity
      • Portfolio structure: Part-time arrangements support continued personal practice
      • Community integration: Embed young curators in existing community programmes
      • Heritage focus: Archive-focused work provides concrete learning outcomes and community value

    For participants

      • ‘Say Yes!’ strategy: Attend all events and openings from the start
      • Skill integration: Bring existing skills while remaining open to new learning
      • Network building: Understand community as primary resource for career development
      • Long-term view: Extended placements provide significantly more value than short-term

    Future implications

    This case study demonstrates how structured early career programmes can successfully bridge the gap between art education and professional practice. The evolution from programme assistant to curator within the supportive community context of South Square suggests a model that could be replicated, particularly as South Square wishes to balance professional visual arts development with genuine community benefit.

    The programme’s success lies in its flexibility, real responsibility allocation, and the integration of personal development with organisational and community needs – creating a win-win-win scenario that justifies continued investment in young people’s creative careers.