Curator at The Dock
Image: Ros Kavanagh
Location: The Dock, Carrick-on-Shannon, County Leitrim
Contract: 3 years fixed term, 30 hours/week over 4 days
Salary: €31,200 (€39,000 pro rata)
Reporting to the Director
About The Dock
The Dock is Leitrim’s flagship arts centre, housed in a landmark riverside venue in Carrick-on-Shannon, Ireland. Built in 1828 as a courthouse, The Dock is a significant heritage building which was restored by Leitrim County Council and reopened in 2005 as an award-winning arts centre.
Facilities include three galleries, a performance space, community meeting spaces, and artists’ studios. We present an artistic programme that spans dance, music, theatre, visual arts, and more. We host and deliver socially engaged activities and projects that provide opportunities to connect artists and communities in a meaningful way.
Tilt by Noemie Goudal curated by Mary Conlon and Linda Shevlin. Photo: Ros Kavanagh.
About the Role
The Curator will programme 6–8 exhibitions by professional visual artists per year. Exhibitions are planned at least one year in advance, in line with our Strategic Plan and related policies, ensuring our programme is relevant to the socio-political and geographical context and resonates with our audiences and communities of place and interest. The Dock invites local, national, and international artists to participate in the exhibitions programme.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)
The Dock is committed to being an equal opportunities employer and to doing the work to ensure the future of the arts is more equal, equitable, and representative of Irish society.
We are particularly interested in applicants who are currently underrepresented within our team and sector. This includes, but is not exclusive to, people with Asian, Black, and ethnically diverse heritage, from the LGBTQIA+ community, and/or from a working-class background.
Key Responsibilities
Exhibitions
To research a clear and coherent framework for the Exhibitions programme
To build relationships with professional artists, curators, galleries, and collections
To curate the Exhibitions programme ensuring relevance to the local context
To collate the promotional materials for the Exhibitions programme for dissemination in line with The Dock’s communications plan
To manage the logistics and technical requirements for the Exhibitions programme, including arranging appropriate expertise and supports
To manage the Exhibitions budget and prepare reports for funders and stakeholders
Communities
To prepare clear mediation materials, including press releases, audio description, social narrative, and other accessibility features as appropriate
To develop related activities including talks, tours, and workshops with emphasis on The Dock’s audience development and public engagement plans
To collaborate with The Dock’s creative team to undertake a review of the Communities programme and to co-design activities with communities of place and interest
To develop partnerships with arts and non-arts organisations
To select 4–6 community exhibitions for the Jury Room Café each year
Artists
To manage The Dock’s artists’ studios
To develop The Dock’s artist-led research and residency programme
To build relationships with and create opportunities for artists in Leitrim
To provide resources and supports for artists in Leitrim
To collaborate with The Dock’s creative team on multi-disciplinary projects
Evaluation & Reporting
To conduct surveys with artists and arts workers
To conduct surveys with audiences and visitors
To identify and contribute to funding opportunities
To report quarterly on budget and financial planning
To organise documentation and other evaluation tools for submission to funders (e.g. focus groups, audience demographic studies)
General
To attend weekly operations meetings
To contribute to monthly strategy meetings
To undertake Safe to Create training and other training as required
To ensure EDI and sustainability policies are embedded across all activities
Other duties may be reasonably requested by the Director
Person Specification
Essential
Minimum 3 years’ experience in a similar role
Experience in supporting artists and creatives
Experience in budget management and reporting
Excellent production skills and time management
Excellent written and spoken communication skills
Desirable
Experience with EDI initiatives
Experience with Environmental Sustainability initiatives
Please apply for the role of Curator by sending:
A CV with the names and contact details of two referees
A letter of application outlining your experience and suitability for the role
Send your application to mary.conlon@leitrimcoco.ie by Friday 12 September.
Late submissions will not be processed. Interviews will take place in person on 22 and 23 September.