Curator – DAVIES Focus Gallery

Job Title: Curator – DAVIES Focus Gallery

This post is supported by The Gwendoline and Margaret Davies Charity and Welsh Government and Arts Council of Wales through CELF

Location: Oriel Davies Gallery, Newtown, Powys

Salary: £24,000 p/a (based on 0.8 FTE at £30,000)

Contract Type: Fixed Term 2 years, with potential to extend subject to successful fundraising

Reports to: Director

Hours: 30 hours per week including weekends, evenings.

Background and Vision

Oriel Davies Gallery is a vibrant contemporary art space in Mid Wales, committed to sustainability, inclusivity, and community engagement. This role is ideal for individuals who are passionate about art, hospitality, and community service, and who thrive in dynamic, public-facing settings.

The Curator will lead the development and delivery of a rolling exhibition programme within the newly established CELF DAVIES focus gallery. This role is central to interpreting the legacy of Gwendoline and Margaret Davies of Gregynog, pioneering Welsh philanthropists and art collectors who used their inherited wealth to foster cultural life in Wales, establishing Gregynog Hall as a centre for the arts, founding the Gregynog Press, and donating a world-class collection of Impressionist and modern art to the National Museum of Wales. The role will connect their story to contemporary issues through curated exhibitions and public programming. The Curator will work closely with the CELF partnership, national collections, community partners, and the Director to ensure the gallery is a vibrant, inclusive, and educational space.

Key Responsibilities:

Exhibition Development & Delivery

• Curate a series of exhibitions that explore the life, legacy, and values of the Davies sisters.

• Develop thematic links between historical materials and contemporary issues such as sustainability, wellbeing, and international collaboration.

• Coordinate loans from Amgueddfa Cymru and the National Library of Wales, including works by Maurice de Vlaminck, Matthew Smith, Vanessa Bell, Augustus John, and Evan Walters (December 2025 – February 2026).

• Collaborate with artists, writers, musicians, historians, and educators to commission new work and responses to the Davies Collection.

• Develop the relationship with Gregynog.

Interpretation & Research

• Produce accessible interpretation materials including signage, audio guides, and digital content.

• Lead research initiatives that deepen understanding of the Davies sisters’ impact on Welsh cultural heritage.

• Support the creation of online resources to engage national and international audiences.

Collaboration & Engagement

• Work closely with the Director to align exhibitions with community programmes.

• Engage with local schools, refugee families, and groups supporting people with sensory impairments.

• Build partnerships with organisations such as Gregynog, Cultivate, Open Newtown, and Race Council Cymru.

Programme Planning & Evaluation

• Contribute to the planning and evaluation of workshops, creative sessions, and public events.

• Ensure exhibitions are inclusive, accessible, and aligned with the CELF programme’s goals.

• Support the development of curatorial skills among young people and community participants.

Person Specification

Essential

• Proven experience in curating exhibitions, ideally within a visual arts or heritage context.

• Strong research and interpretation skills.

• Excellent communication and collaboration abilities.

• Commitment to inclusive and community-focused programming.

• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.

• Welsh language skills or commitment to learn (weekly lessons available).

Desirable

• Knowledge of Welsh cultural heritage and the Davies sisters’ legacy.

• Experience working with national collections and loan agreements.

• Familiarity with digital engagement and online curatorial practices.

• Understanding of accessibility, EDI, and wellbeing in arts programming.

Application Process

• Please send a CV / Bio and a short covering letter outlining your interest and suitability for the role to steffan@orieldavies.org with “DAVIES CELF Curator Application” in the subject line. We will accept application as a 5 minute video. Please send a link to an online storage account such as Google Drive, DropBox, or similar.

• Deadline: 24 January 2025
  Interviews: Please give availability for interview 5 and 6 February in your application.
  Contract term: Please note that we are looking for the role to start as soon as possible.