Art jobs in Dorset

A message from the CEO

“The Sherborne exists to inspire audiences, artists and communities, across the South West (Wessex and beyond), with a cultural programme of local relevance and national ambition - exhibitions in galleries and sculpture gardens, heritage (including natural heritage), indoor and outdoor music, dance and theatre performances, outreach and events, wellbeing and yoga in the gardens, accessible to all.

The Programmer/Curator is a new role, and a foundational one: you will help shape what The Sherborne shows, who it platforms, and how our artistic ambition is realised on the ground - including our part in Sherborne's year as Dorset Town of Culture 2027, and the potential, in the years that follow, to help spearhead a Wessex Culture Trail across art forms. We're also keen for you to help reignite our historic Art Room - turning it from a quiet space into a messy one, where people come to paint, make and create. This is a real opportunity to help etch the DNA of The Sherborne culturally, from the beginning.

This building has always been a place of creativity and thought leadership - in the nineteenth century, William Charles Macready hosted literary and scientific salons here, drawing guests including Charles Dickens, Robert Browning and William Makepeace Thackeray. We'd love to see a contemporary twist on that spirit: consolidating and embedding our growing talks programme and literary evenings with fresh contemporary relevance, alongside launching our literature salon, art and absinthe evenings, natural world café and music nights, building towards each being a regular fixture of Sherborne's cultural calendar. It's an opportunity to spearhead this programme, which I will help shape with you, drawing on my own artistic direction and leadership as CEO.”

About The Sherborne

The Sherborne opened in 2024 and has quickly established itself as a cultural presence of local and regional significance - combining galleries and a sculpture garden, heritage spaces, indoor and outdoor performance, learning and outreach, and a flourishing restaurant, café and events operation, all within a Grade I listed Georgian townhouse.

Founded through the philanthropy of Michael and Sally Cannon, The Sherborne is evolving into a fully independent charity, with recognised impact already reflected in a Muddy Stilettos Arts, Culture & Theatre award and an RICS regional award. As the charity grows its artistic ambition - and works towards national funding streams that judge artistic excellence, reach and relevance - building a relevant curated programme is now a key priority.

Role Purpose

The Programmer/Curator will work under the aegis of the CEO to lead the development and delivery of The Sherborne's artistic and cultural programme - across exhibitions, sculpture and outdoor commissions, performance, and artist residencies - working closely with the CEO, the Head of Development and the wider team to ensure the programme is ambitious, well-resourced, and true to The Sherborne's mission.

The postholder will build a programme that platforms artists who live, work and play in the South West, alongside work of national and international standing - reflecting themes drawn from the region's history and heritage as well as the concerns of contemporary practice - and will ensure the programme reaches a broad public, in line with the standards expected by national funders such as Arts Council England and Heritage Lottery.

Key Responsibilities

Artistic programme and curation

• With the CEO, lead the curatorial vision and delivery of exhibitions across the galleries and garden, working to a published, forward-planned programme.
• Orchestrate outdoor horticultural and artistic site-responsive work, building on existing partnerships (including input into the town's developing public sculpture programme).
• Develop a programme of indoor and outdoor performance, working with external partners, promoters and touring companies, artists and freelance creatives.
• Design and deliver an artist (including food artist) residency programme, with a clear public and learning offer attached to each residency.
• Reignite our Art Room as a hands-on space for painting, making and participation - not just a room that hosts art, but one where people make it.
• Introduce a wellbeing strand - yoga, mindfulness and similar sessions - making good use of the gardens and historic spaces alongside the arts programme.

Strategic development

• Develop and implement a multi-year programming strategy aligned with The Sherborne's mission and funding ambitions, including preparation for Arts Council England's strategy for artistic excellence, reach and inclusion.
• Contribute programming expertise to grant applications and funder reporting, working closely with the Head of Development.
• Help shape The Sherborne's contribution to Sherborne's Town of Culture year, and to the emerging ambition for a Wessex Culture Trail across art forms.

Partnerships and reputation

• Support the building and sustaining of relationships with artists, galleries, museums, funders and touring partners regionally, nationally and internationally.
• Represent The Sherborne within the regional and national cultural sector, raising its profile as an important art, culinary and heritage voice.

Operations and compliance

• Work with the operations/estates team on the practical delivery of exhibitions and events, including installation, conservation, insurance and visitor experience standards.
• Support the CEO and EA in the execution of exhibitions, including registrar duties and loans applications.
• Manage the programming budget, report on artistic KPIs against funder and Board expectations.

Person Specification

Essential

• Two years' experience curating or programming within a gallery, museum, arts centre or comparable cultural organisation.
• A demonstrable track record of developing and delivering an ambitious public-facing programme, including working with living artists.
• Excellent networks across the visual arts and/or performance sectors.
• A self-starter with strong organisational and communication skills.
• Experience contributing to funding applications and public-facing interpretation.
• The ability to work collaboratively across a small, multidisciplinary team.

Desirable

• Experience programming within a heritage or historic-house setting.
• Experience of Arts Council England or comparable national funder relationships.
• Existing networks within the South West's cultural sector.

Pay: £35,000.00-£40,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Employee discount
• On-site parking

Experience:

• Curating or programming: 2 years (preferred)

Work Location: In person