Assistant Curator Touring Exhibitions

About the role

We are delighted to announce a new opportunity for an Assistant Curator to join our Collection & Research team. In this role you’ll play an important part in helping to deliver our ambitious international touring exhibitions programme, enabling works from Scotland’s national collection to be shared with audiences around the world. The touring programme consists of bespoke exhibitions drawn from works that cover the breadth and range of the collection.

We’re looking for a highly organised and detail-oriented individual with the ability to manage time effectively and meet deadlines. You will already have professional experience of working in a gallery or museum environment, or with an art or heritage collection and have a particular area of art historical interest or expertise.

You’ll be confident working both independently and collaboratively, supported by colleagues across the Collection & Research team. A clear and professional communicator, you will build strong working relationships with colleagues, partners, and stakeholders, while keeping relevant parties informed of progress and any issues.

You will work with the dedicated international touring exhibitions team, and a wide range of stakeholders across the organisation, as well as with external partners. Therefore, the ability to build effective working relationships and communicate clearly is essential.

You’ll also be passionate about making art accessible to everyone and committed to supporting equality, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace.

About the Touring Programme

National Galleries of Scotland is launching an ambitious international touring programme contributing to our aim to make art work for everyone. This new initiative builds on past touring success and increases opportunities for the collection to be shared with audiences across the world. The touring programme is also part of our strategy to grow our income to ensure our future financial sustainability.

Work has already begun and we are now recruiting a number of posts from May 2026 to support taking the touring programme forward. The programme will run initially to 31 March 2030. The success of the initiative will determine next steps for both the programme and the team supporting it.

You will help to deliver this ambitious new initiative. This is an excellent opportunity for a results-driven individual to demonstrate their impact and contribute to shaping the success of the programme.

The difference you’ll make

As part of the Collection & Research department, you will help with the organisation, administration and delivery of the touring exhibitions programme. Reporting to the Director of International Partnerships your duties will include but not be limited to:

-Acting as the key curatorial point of contact for the touring exhibitions programme with colleagues across the organisation, borrowing venues, and external stakeholders ensuring clear and consistent communication.
-Working closely with colleagues across the Curatorial & Research department in the research and development of the touring programme.
-Scheduling meetings, providing admin support and taking minutes for the project team and other related meetings.
-Assisting in tracking budgets, ensuring they are accurate and updated.
-Maintaining project files and associated documentation, to ensure all information is up to date and easily accessible.
-Collecting and collating relevant information for project reports, evaluations, and KPIs.
-Working closely with the Collections Management team to update loan and object records on Axiell
-Assisting with due diligence provenance research.
-Collating and writing interpretative material for the touring works, in-gallery and on-line, meeting the National Galleries of Scotland tone of voice, interpretation framework and editorial processes.
-Liaising with collections management colleagues to ensure the highest standards of care and protection for the collection.
-Liaising with the Communications team with information regarding the touring schedule.

Who we are looking for

To succeed in this role, you’ll need the following range of knowledge, skills, and experience:

-A degree or equivalent in art history or a related subject.
-Professional experience of working in a gallery or museum environment and/or evidence of professional experience working with art/heritage collections.
-A proactive approach with the ability to take initiative.
-Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
-Strong organisational and administrative skills, including an ability to prioritise effectively and work accurately without close supervision.
-Ability to work as part of a team and develop and maintain effective working relations with a broad range of people and teams, internally and externally.
-A demonstrable commitment to supporting the organisation’s equality, diversity and inclusion principles.
-Proficient IT skills particularly Microsoft Office 365.

It would also be great if you have:

-A working knowledge of Axiell Collections or another collections management system.
-Knowledge of another language.
-Experience of working internationally.

Please apply directly via our careers portal. Applications via email will not be accepted.

The closing date for applications is 12 noon on Wednesday, 13 May 2026.

Museum Website: https://www.nationalgalleries.org/careers