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Summer 2012

Dear Enquirer

Vacancy for Curator of Online Content

Thank you for inquiring about the above opportunity. The closing date for receipt of applications is Sunday 9 September, and interviews will be held at MK Gallery on Wednesday 26 September.

. Enclosed you will find: . MK Gallery general information . Job description and person specification . Outline terms and conditions of employment . Application form . Equal opportunities monitoring form

Please note that you must complete the application form. CVs will NOT be considered. The short-listing panel will only be provided with your application form, which will be judged against the person specification, which is the list of requirements for this post. You should ensure your application addresses each point of the person specification, giving details of the relevant skills and experience you have in each of these areas.

The electronic version of the application form can be completed by ‘tabbing’ between the fields or by selecting individual fields by clicking on them with your mouse.

MK Gallery will endeavour to contact all candidates to let them know whether or not they have been shortlisted for interview. Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we are unable to make individual responses to applications. If you have not heard from us three weeks after the closing date you should assume you have not been shortlisted.

I look forward to receiving your completed application form and thank you for your interest in the vacancy.

Yours faithfully, Fennah Podschies Head of Administration MK Gallery MK Gallery: Curator of Online Content vacancy General information for applicants

Introduction MK Gallery opened its inaugural exhibition by Gilbert & George in October 1999, since when it has presented a challenging and sometimes uncompromising programme of international contemporary art. MK Gallery forms part of the city’s purpose-built cultural complex in Theatre District in the city centre, comprising MK Gallery and MK Theatre (run by Ambassadors Theatre Group and one of the most successful presenting theatres outside London. A lozenge-shaped building opposite the main gallery, now named MK Gallery Project Space, is used by the gallery to present community and learning exhibitions, together with a broad programme of public events, ranging from weekly parent and toddler creative sessions to Scratch Nights showcasing emerging talent, Film Nights and Live Music nights. Since launching MK Gallery has had over 300,000 visitors and is recognised amongst its peers as one of the UK’s major contemporary art venues. For further information on the gallery visit www.mkgallery.org

Our mission MK Gallery provides access to high quality, innovative and thought-provoking contemporary art from around the world. In its programme it stimulates participation and debate, building relationships between artists and audiences.

1999 – 2011 In its first five years MK Gallery’s principal strategy was to secure national recognition for its programmes, and to establish high professional regard with peers and artists; this was vital for the initial success of the new gallery. In subsequent years, the gallery built on this foundation to engage with the unique social and architectural experiment that is Milton Keynes, brokering and curating a series of public projects and offsite programmes that created an interface between the gallery and the city. These twin strategies have met with considerable success, raising profile and awareness locally, and reaching new audiences.

Artistic and education programme MK Gallery presents a high quality, innovative programme, in a variety of media, reflecting the diversity of contemporary art practice, comprising 4-6 free exhibitions a year. This has ranged from the inaugural exhibition by Gilbert and George (1999) to the internationally critically acclaimed exhibition by Marcel Broodthaers (2007). In recent years the Gallery has prioritised a programme of first survey shows by UK artists including Phil Collins (2006), Cathy Wilkes (2008), Marcus Coates (2010), Gerard Byrne (2010) and Daria Martin (2012) and ‘overlooked’ international figures including James Lee Byars (2009), Nasreen Mohamedi (2009), Andrew Lord (2010), working in partnership with museums and galleries across the world. The Gallery also has a history of commissioning dynamic and large scale interventions onsite and around the city, including the full-scale replica of MK Gallery’s ‘Cube’ in Milton Keynes’ Station Square, the MK Forty Tower by dRMM architects, ‘Cave’ by Ivan and Heather Morison and ‘Beacon’ by Liliane Lijn in Campbell Park.

2012-2015 MK Gallery’s freshly adopted 3-year plan sets out how the gallery will build on the successes of its first decade as it matures into a thriving, established, world class arts venue. This takes place within the context of the city’s growth which is set to double by 2040. The gallery will continue to produce an internationally recognised programme of contemporary visual arts, complemented by a growing engagement and outreach programme comprising a dynamic, multi-disciplinary events programme that showcases new and emerging talent, art house films and live music. The work plan for the next three years includes research, consultation, testing, modelling, innovation and risk-taking, carefully using our resources, knowledge and skills to build a firm foundation for a vibrant, sustainable programme. MK Gallery’s programmes to date have directly responded to the unique context of Milton Keynes, its history, characteristics, and aspirations; a key strand of a forthcoming feasibility study will be to identify opportunities to build on this, to celebrate and interpret the unique qualities of this city.

MK Gallery’s 2012-2015 priorities . One – Programmes: Maintain and enhance MK Gallery’s reputation as a centre presenting intere sting, exciting, innovative and accessible contemporary arts, and to expand the range of its progra mming to complement the main exhibitions programme . Two – Audiences: Achieve and then sustain a significant increase in visitors to the Gallery, and t o raise awareness locally of our activities and facilities . Three – Sustainability: Ensure sustainability through the management of a capital investment, a long-term funding relationship with Milton Keynes Council, and by increasing income from other s ources, so that there is a better balance between grants and other types of income . Four - Improved facilities: Support our programme, audiences and sustainability priorities throug h plans to fund-raise for and achieve physical redevelopment and improvement of the site . Five – Partnerships: Maintain and develop partnerships with key stakeholders, such as Arts Cou ncil England, MK Council, MK Theatre, and the MK International Festival, alongside other local, re gional, national and international peers and partners

MK Gallery aims to become more sustainable by realising the under-developed potential of additional exhibition, education, social, catering, entertaining and trading facilities, housed in a landmark C21st cultural building. An authoritative study will research and inform development planning and delivery of this over the following two to three years. As a National Portfolio Organisation MK Gallery has secure three-year funding from the Arts Council England up to 2014/15, and also has confirmed funding from MK Council. We plan to use the next three years’ artistic development and financial investment to ensure we are in as strong and sustainable a position as possible by 2015.

Introduction The gallery opened in October 1999 and has a challenging and sometimes uncompromising programme of international contemporary art. Situated just 30 minutes by train from central London, MK Gallery was originally built as part of a cultural complex designed by Andrzej Blonski Architects for the city of Milton Keynes, comprising the purpose-built Gallery, the separate Lozenge building that is used for community and learning exhibitions, and a broad range of events and activity showcasing emerging talent and new work, and the MK Theatre, one of the most successful presenting theatres outside London, run by Ambassadors Theatre Group. MK Gallery has had over 300,000 visitors since it launched and is regarded as one of the UK’s major contemporary art venues. For further information on the gallery visit www.mkgallery.org

1999 – 2011 In its first half-decade, MK Gallery’s principal strategy was to secure national recognition for its programmes, and to establish high professional regard with peers and artists; this was vital for the initial success of the new gallery. In subsequent years, the gallery built on this foundation to engage with the unique social and architectural experiment that is Milton Keynes, brokering and curating a series of public projects and offsite programmes that created an interface between the gallery and the city. These twin strategies have met with considerable success, raising profile and awareness locally, and reaching new audiences.

This has ranged from the inaugural exhibition by Gilbert and George (1999) to the internationally critically acclaimed exhibition by Marcel Broodthaers (2007). In recent years the Gallery has prioritised a programme of first survey shows by UK artists including Phil Collins (2006), Cathy Wilkes (2008), Marcus Coates (2010), Gerard Byrne (2010) and Daria Martin (2012) and ‘overlooked’ international figures including James Lee Byars (2009), Nasreen Mohamedi (2009), Andrew Lord (2010), working in partnership with museums and galleries across the world.

The Gallery has a history of commissioning dynamic and large scale interventions onsite and around the city, including the full-scale replica of MK Gallery’s ‘Cube’ in Milton Keynes’ Station Square, the MK Forty Tower by dRMM architects, ‘Cave’ by Ivan and Heather Morison and ‘Beacon’ by Liliane Lijn in Campbell Park.

2012-2015 Our 3-year plan sets out how we will build on this first decade with renewed energy, as the gallery matures into a thriving, established, world class arts venue. It is our response to the city’s growth which is set to double by 2040: producing an internationally recognised programme of contemporary visual arts, complemented by a growing engagement and outreach programme; and a dynamic, multi- disciplinary events programme that showcases new and emerging talent, art house films and artists’ professional development. The work we will do over the next three years includes research, consultation, testing, modelling, innovation and risk-taking, carefully using our resources, knowledge and skills to build a firm foundation for a vibrant, sustainable programme. Our programmes to date have directly responded to the unique context of Milton Keynes, its history, characteristics, and aspirations; a key strand of a forthcoming feasibility study will be to identify opportunities to build on this, to celebrate and interpret the unique qualities of this city.

Our 2012-2015 priorities . One – Programmes: Maintain and enhance MK Gallery’s reputation as a centre presenting intere sting, exciting, innovative and accessible contemporary arts, and to expand the range of its progra mming to complement the main exhibitions programme . Two – Audiences: Achieve and then sustain a significant increase in visitors to the Gallery, and t o raise awareness locally of our activities and facilities . Three – Sustainability: Ensure sustainability through the management of a capital investment, a long-term funding relationship with Milton Keynes Council, and by increasing income from other s ources, so that there is a better balance between grants and other types of income . Four - Improved facilities: Support our programme, audiences and sustainability priorities throug h plans to fund-raise for and achieve physical redevelopment and improvement of the site . Five – Partnerships: Maintain and develop partnerships with key stakeholders, such as Arts Cou ncil England, MK Council, MK Theatre, and the MK International Festival, alongside other local, re gional, national and international peers and partners

Collaboration is essential to all our programmes. In the case of our exhibitions and publication programme, collaboration connects Milton Keynes to important cultural institutions across the UK and around the world, creates exciting new opportunities for artists, maximises our resources, and – significantly – greatly increases our reach to new audiences and visitors. We will be exploring options to extend and enhance our programmes, in a way that builds on our achievements to date, introduces a new dynamic into the artistic programmes, and deepens existing while reaching new audiences.

Growing recognition of the importance of the creative sector and of sustainable initiatives to support its development and growth means that we plan for showcasing and talent development to be an important strand of our Events programme. Growing demand for our engagement and participatory programmes is reflected in ambitious aspirations to build on existing relationships and secure new opportunities for quality programmes that have a lasting impact.

MK Gallery Job Description

Post: Curator of Online Content

Hours: Full-time

Accountable to: Communications Director and Director

Salary: £23,500

Summary This post has overall responsibility for curating, delivering and developing the Gallery’s website and e-communications. Using a range of media, the post-holder will engage and develop new and existing audiences for the Gallery. This is a key role in positioning MK Gallery as a strong player within the visual arts sector in digital communications and digital commissioning, and leads on engaging with art ists on the commissioning and production of new artistic content in a range of formats.

Main duties and responsibilities:

Programming and Content Development . To work in collaboration with the Director and exhibitions team to produce digital media content that documents, promotes and engages audiences with Gallery exhibitions, projects and events . To work with writers, curators, artists and other practitioners to write, edit, commission and upload text, image and video content for MK Gallery Online including content from all Gallery events and talks . To produce and deliver other time-sensitive digital content including exhibitions, new publications and sales promotions . To create platforms that support multiple authors, embedded images and video . To manage and oversee the Gallery’s social networking sites and other links to MK Gallery Online . To work collaboratively with other Gallery departments to ensure that the website meets their needs and that they contribute positively to the enhancement of Gallery website resources . To work collaboratively with other Gallery departments to develop programmes and projects with a digital focus, in order to enable fund-raising

Marketing and Communications Campaigns . To work collaboratively with the Communications Director to raise the profile of the Gallery through digital media on a local, national and international level to the broadest possible audience . To devise, manage and deliver the Gallery’s scheduled e-marketing initiatives, including a range of e-newsletters, online advertising and online/social networking . To bring knowledge of digital and web-based marketing techniques to campaigns managed by the Communications Director . To analyse and present web statistics that measure online visit data and help evaluate the effectiveness of marketing campaigns/support forward planning . To maintain, develop and actively grow the Gallery’s e-contact database

Content Management and Design . To edit and proof all content to ensure it is of consistently high-quality, accessible and error-free and falls in line with the Gallery’s brand guidelines . To monitor MK Gallery Online and related sites on a day-to-day basis, ensuring that content is comprehensive, always current and continuously refreshed . To understand and implement accessibility and usability requirements and ensure that all content is fully compliant with statutory and legal requirements . To use search engine optimisation techniques to ensure that the Gallery is highly visible and easily found on the worldwide web . To devise a strategy for and lead on the delivery of the Gallery’s online archive . To keep up to date with software developments and new applications of web technologies and apply these to MK Gallery Online as appropriate

Fund-raising, Income Generation and Financial Management . To use the website to generate income from a number of sources including but not limited to: gallery hire, limited editions, catalogues and other merchandise . . To monitor income and ensure that all expenditure falls within agreed budgets . To recruit, supervise and liaise with freelance artists and practitioners in the provision of the programme and manage relationships with suppliers . To research and lever in external funding and support, in collaboration with programme colleagues across MK Gallery

General (shared with key staff at Milton Keynes Gallery) . To welcome visitors and show them around the premises and other sites when necessary . To work together with all employees as a closely formed team . To provide relief cover for staff as needed . To be a key-holder as needed . To undertake any other duties reasonably required by the Director or Communications Director . To work flexibly as required, which will occasionally involve weekend and evening events (around 8-10 per year) and hours above the core hours of the post. The post-holder will in most cases be entitled, by agreement of the line manager, to time off in lieu (TOIL) for hours worked above the core hours. . To carry out the responsibilities of the post with due regard at all times to the policies and procedures on health and safety, security, child protection, equality & diversity, etc . To provide his/her own clerical support

Level of Working Contact . All Milton Keynes Gallery staff . Web designers, engineers and other IT support contractors . Artists, practitioners in the arts & professional arts contacts . Gallery visitors/general public Milton Keynes Gallery Person Specification: Curator of Online Content Essential Desirable Evidence Qualifications An undergraduate Application degree in an arts or IT Form/Certificates/ related subject (eg, Interview fine art, history of art, curating, arts management)

Knowledge Knowledge of and Awareness of Application form/ interest in statutory compliance Interview contemporary art and issues around website visual culture content, data protection, Knowledge of accessibility and X/HTML, and Content usability (e.g. for Management Systems visually impaired people) Demonstrable understanding of a Interest in and range of desktop awareness of the publishing software latest web including, eg, Adobe technologies and Photoshop, Adobe digital marketing InDesign, and Adobe techniques Illustrator Understanding of commissioning and curating in digital media

Skills High-level written Ability to plan and Application form/ communication and monitor budgets using Interview proofing skills spread-sheets

Ability to create innovative online platforms that support multiple authors, embedded images and video

Excellent time management skills including the ability to plan and prioritise work Experience Experience of working Experience of Application form/ with others (e.g. recruiting, supervising Interview writers, curators, and liaising with artists) to write, edit, freelance artists, commission and practitioners and IT upload text, images, specialists in the video and other provision of online content to websites content and technical requirements Experience of using social networking sites Track record of to develop new developing successful audiences web-based income generation activity Experience of managing the day-to- Understanding of day content and commissioning and technical requirements curating in digital of large websites media

Experience of using web analytics to report on website use

Experience of creating and editing video and audio for web

Equal Understanding and Application form/ Opportunities commitment to equal Interview opportunities, cultural diversity and access for all Outline Terms and Conditions of Employment

Summary This summary contains the general conditions of employment. On offer of employment fully detailed conditions of employment will be issued.

Post Curator of Online Content

Name of employer Milton Keynes Theatre & Gallery Company (MKTGC is a registered educational charity; MK Gallery is an operating arm of MKTGC)

Place of work MK Gallery 900 Midsummer Boulevard Central Milton Keynes MK9 3QA

Contract Permanent, subject to 6 month probationary period

Salary £23,500 per annum

Flexible terms and conditions

An interest-free travel loan may be available, repayable on a monthly basis

Pension Stakeholder pension scheme (3% employer contribution)

Hours of work Not less than 37.5 hours per week generally worked between 09:00 – 17:30. Some weekend and evening work may be required.

Some aspects of the terms and conditions of the post are flexible.

Holiday entitlement 25 days per annum Application Form

Applicants are asked to ensure that they complete all sections of the form. Of particular importance is section 8, which is an opportunity for you to demonstrate your suitability for this post. Please complete the form clearly, in black ink, typescript or complete it electronically.

Post applied for Curator of Online Content

1. Personal details Title (Ms, Miss, Mrs, Mr etc.) Surname Forename/s Home Address

Postcode: Home tel. Work tel. Mobile E-mail

2. References Referee 1 Name Post title Address

Postcode: Telephone Fax no. Mobile E-mail Capacity in which known to you If you are invited to attend an interview, are you happy for this referee to Yes No be contacted by MK Gallery beforehand? Referee 2 Name Post title Address

Postcode: Telephone Fax no. Mobile E-mail Capacity in which known to you If you are invited to attend an interview, are you happy for this referee to be contacted by MK Gallery beforehand? Yes No (you should ensure your referees are in a position to respond promptly) 3. Most recent employment (paid or unpaid) If part-time, please state number of hours per week worked. Job title Employer Address

Postcode: Date of appointment Present salary/ wage (if applicable) Period of notice required Reason for leaving or for seeking other employment

Give a brief outline of your responsibilities and duties 4. Previous employment (paid or unpaid, excluding present post, most recent listed first) Employer Job title Dates (from/to) Brief description of main duties Salary Reasons for leaving

(Please attach another sheet if required) 5. Education and professional qualifications Please give details of any relevant qualifications gained (listing the most recent qualifications first). Please note that you will be asked to produce evidence of your passes. University, College, School, etc. Subjects and Grades Date(s)

6. Experience, skills and interests

Use this space to list any additional skills, apprenticeships or training that you Date training have completed that may be relevant to this post (e.g. word processing/ compl computer/database skills and training, voluntary work placements, etc.) eted

7. Membership of professional bodies By Examination Organisation Grade Date Yes / No

8. Information in support of application Your application will be judged against the enclosed person specification, which lists the essential requirements for the post. You should refer to and address each point on the specification, giving details of relevant skills and experience you may have in these areas and what particular qualities and experience you would bring to the post if appointed. Please state any other relevant skills or experience you may have. (CVs will NOT be accepted) 8. Information in support of application

(Please ‘tab’ to next field to continue typing when you reach this point)

(Please do not enclose any further pages) 9. General How did you hear about this post? (Please be specific, e.g. advertisement in a particular newspaper, a particular website, via word of mouth, in response to a written enquiry, etc.)

10. Health Indicate below any illnesses or serious operations that you have had during the last three years that we should be aware of.

How many days sickness absence have you had in the last three years?

11. Interview requirements Is there anything we need to know in order to ensure we can offer you a fair selection interview? (For example, do you require a BSL interpreter or a wheelchair-accessible interview room?)

12. Declaration I confirm that to the best of my knowledge and belief, the information provided and the statements made in this application are factually correct and I understand that any false information may, in the extent of employment, result in dismissal for withholding relevant details or giving false information. Signature

Date

Please return your completed application form along with the equal opportunities monitoring form to: Fennah Podschies, Head of Administration, MK Gallery, at 3 Theatre Walk, Central Milton Keynes, MK9 3PX. Or email to [email protected]

Please mark your envelope ‘Curator of Online Content’ in the top left-hand corner and ensure you apply the correct postage if mailing your application form. Applications received after the deadline, either by email or which have been delayed due to underpaid postage, will not be considered. Recruitment Monitoring Form

The data on this form is used for statistical purposes to provide MK Gallery with infor mation for its annual statistical returns to Arts Council England and to monitor the pe rformance of its Equal Opportunities Policy. Any reports produced using this informa tion are anonymised. Any information given on the form will be treated in the strictest confidence and will not be used in any part of the selection process.

Post applied for Curator of Online Content Date of application Your surname Your first name

Gender Male Female

Age Under 22-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 Over 21 70

Ethnic Origin (please cross the box which most closely relates to you) Black African Pakistani White British Black Caribbean Bangladeshi Black British Indian Chinese Irish Black other (please specify) White other (please specify) Other ethnic background (please specify)

Dependents Do you have any dependants (children, elderly relatives)? Yes No

Disability Do you consider yourself to have a disability?* Yes No Are you registered disabled? Yes No *A disability is defined by the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 as a “physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on your ability to carry out normal day to day activities.” Disabilities can be hidden and include long-term conditions which can be controlled through medication, for example epilepsy, asthma, heart conditions, diabetes.

Where you have an impairment or condition please use the space below to describe any access requirements (e.g. physical access, hearing and/ or sight requirements) you would wish us to accommodate should you be invited to attend interview.