Job Opportunity - Assistant Curator 2025
The Hannah Peschar Sculpture Garden is looking for a well-presented, friendly, and articulate part-time assistant curator, to start late March continuing to the end of October - with the potential to continue onwards.
Job Description
The Hannah Peschar Sculpture Garden is an internationally-renowned outdoor sculpture gallery, featuring contemporary work from British and European artists. Set in a valley in the Surrey Hills, this unusual garden exhibits a huge variety of sculpture, with an indoor space exhibiting smaller sculpture and ceramics. The exhibition is carefully curated each year, creating harmony between art and nature. You will be involved from the very start in a variety of aspects of gallery life.
The role requires a driven, self-motivated and hard-working individual with passion for art, and a can-do attitude. The candidate must have a friendly and professional personality that upholds the sophisticated image of selling art, whilst also being friendly and approachable to casual visitors from all walks of life. This is not just a desk job - you will become immersed in all aspects of a sculpture garden, therefore if you’re not willing to get your hands dirty this is not the job for you.
During the Summer Season - April to end of October, you will be required three days a week, including Sunday. Hourly rate - £13.50 (billable monthly)* There will be additional times you will be required, such as private views or other events.
Job Requirements
A love for nature as well as art is absolutely essential.
Essential attributes:
Previous gallery or similar experience
Degree in a relevant field
The ability to build rapport with clients
Willingness to network to build contacts for the gallery
Customer service experience
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
High attention to detail with immaculate presentation
Proficient IT skills - preferably with Mac OS (programmes used but are not limited to: Pages, Numbers, Affinity Photo, Canva, Squarespace website builder, Mailchimp + social media platforms)
You MUST drive/have access to a car/motorised vehicle as there are NO public transport routes nearby.
Job Responsibilities
Duties include, but are not limited to:
Manning reception on open days, talking to visitors, clients & artists.
Answering enquiries (emails and telephone) from garden visitors, clients, artists and any interested parties.
Assisting with arts sales, admin and events.
Creating portfolios, updating databases, writing artist statements and text for website, creating mailers to potential clients/organisations, updating price-lists & guides
Social media management: curating SM campaigns to run weekly across the season
Ensuring public areas are tidy/clean, and checking the sculptures & garden prior to opening each day.
Physical work - light gardening, painting plinths for the gallery, moving/installing/deinstalling sculpture both in the garden and the gallery.
We are looking for someone living within a 25 mile radius - knowledge of Surrey is essential. There is a small chance that you may be called in for emergency cover.
How to Apply
To apply, send your CV (2 pages max) and a covering letter to the below email by 5pm Wednesday 26th February.
This is an onsite job - we are looking for an applicant based locally (within 25 miles max), with a knowledge of Surrey.
Please do not apply if you (a) live further than 1 hour away (b) do not have means to get to the property as we are no where near public transport.
Contact name: Vikki Leedham
Contact email: hannahpescharsculpture@gmail.com
Hannah Peschar Sculpture Garden is fully committed to Equality and Diversity and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.
*This is a self-employed position, you will keep track of your own working hours and invoice the gallery each month.
Call for Submissions
The Hannah Peschar Sculpture Garden is calling for submissions for a new installation to be displayed during 2025.
We are searching for a striking, large-scale suspended installation or sculpture to grace the space beneath the sprawling canopy of a majestic horse chestnut tree at the heart of the Sculpture Garden. This enchanting location, nestled beside the tranquil waterfall and serene weir, has been home to some truly remarkable artworks in years past. For 2025, we’re seeking something entirely fresh and awe-inspiring—an exceptional piece that will captivate visitors and elevate this iconic space to new heights.
All work must be suitable to be displayed throughout all weather conditions. The materials must not degrade/decompose, and must be safe for wildlife. Installation must be considered as part of the proposal - how it will be installed so that it is safe for visitors to pass round/underneath, whilst also protecting the branches of the tree from which it is suspended.
There is no financial support available for this project - all work displayed within the Sculpture Garden is on a sale-or-return basis, or an example of commissionable work. However, we can offer guidance and advice with regards to suitability of idea/material, installing the work, and can offer some assistance if the artist wishes to apply for funding from an external entity.
To be installed mid-March 2025, to be on display until at least November 2025 (potentially extending until end of 2026 season).
To apply, please send your proposal, with supporting documents (ie proof of concept, examples of similar ideas that have come to fruition) - no more than two sides of A4 - to Vikki Leedham Gallery Manager, at hannahpescharsculpture@gmail.com by 31st January 2025 at the very latest. Please note, we will not be able to give detailed feedback for rejected proposals.
Hannah Peschar Sculpture Garden is fully committed to Equality and Diversity and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.