assistant curator – folk life

We are set to embark on an exciting project to transform the Ulster Folk Museum - one of Northern Ireland’s longest-established and most significant heritage assets. 

And you could be part of it.

Reawakening the Ulster Folk Museum will see the museum transform into an inspirational multi-layered environmental and heritage resource supporting inclusivity, community cohesion, wellbeing, skills development and new thinking.

The role of Assistant Curator – Folk Life will be instrumental in adding capacity to support curatorial research, content development and public engagement with collections. This role focuses on delivering the outcomes of Action Plan 1 of our Activity Plan, developed as part of our National Lottery Heritage Fund Delivery Phase Grant application.
 

The Assistant Curator will work as part of the History team to help conduct in-depth research, contribute to the development of interpretation and exhibition content, facilitate engagement with collections and collaborate with various stakeholders to ensure the project’s success.

Key Responsibilities

In fulfilling the role, the postholder will undertake the following activities:

1. Research, Management and Development of Collections

• Support the History team to review and interpret the Folk Life Collections, to unlock their potential for the Reawakening project and ensure they are shared in ways that are relevant and engaging.
• Facilitate access to collections and associated information to inform the development and delivery of activities outlined in Action Plan 1 (guided walks, storytelling, multimedia guides, school and shared education programme).
• Take a proactive approach to the management and use of collections, in line with museum policy, best practice and museological trends.

2. Interpretation and Public Programming

• Take a team-based approach to the development of content that supports new collections-based interpretation, working closely with colleagues in Curatorial, Public Engagement, and Collections Services.
• Develop and contribute to public events and activities that use collections creatively to connect with new and existing audiences. 
• Support colleagues in History, Collections Access and Digital Communications with the digitisation of the Folk Life Collections in collaboration with other colleagues, ensuring increased access to collections and enriching interpretation and user experiences. 
• Support the development of collection and knowledge-based content, which will widen understanding of the collections. 
• Assist Digital Communications by providing collections content for promotion and communication of the Reawakening project. 
• Consider opportunities for implementing National Museums NI’s Section 75 duties for promoting equality of opportunity and good relations in the development of interpretation and programming.

3. Stakeholder Engagement

• Support the development of effective working relationships with key stakeholders across the public, private, and local, national and international museum sectors, building alliances and collaborative partnerships in support of National Museums NI’s corporate objectives.

4. Other

• Carry out other duties as required by the Museum, consistent with the grade and responsibilities of the post.
• Supervise volunteers and researchers as required, providing appropriate support and guidance.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant policy areas within National Museums NI, including health & safety and security.

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Using money raised by National Lottery players, The National Lottery Heritage Fund supports projects that connect people and communities with the UK’s heritage. Reawakening the Ulster Folk Museum is made possible by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.