Curatorial Programme Assistant, Live Programme

ABOUT THE ROLE

We’re looking for a curious, organised and creatively minded Curatorial Programme Assistant to join V&A East at a truly pivotal moment.

Working closely with the Contemporary Programme Curator, you’ll help shape and deliver live events, performances and public programmes across V&A East Storehouse and the future V&A East Museum.

From working directly with artists to supporting ambitious live events in the galleries, this role offers hands-on experience at the heart of contemporary curatorial practice.

This is a varied and developmental role for someone excited by contemporary art, design and performance, and interested in how live programming can transform how people experience museums.

You’ll be part of a small, ambitious team experimenting with new formats, new voices and new ways of working — learning as you go and contributing ideas along the way.

You don’t need a conventional museum background. We’re keen to hear from people with transferable skills, curiosity, and a collaborative spirit, who want to help build something new.

With the Storehouse now open and the Museum opening in 2026, this is a rare opportunity to join V&A East as it takes shape — and to help define what live programming can be in a new cultural institution.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Artist liaison: Work closely with the Contemporary Programme Curator to support relationships with artists, performers, and creative practitioners. This includes attending regular catch-ups, coordinating site visits, and ensuring artists are well supported throughout the development and delivery of their work.
• Project management: Support all aspects of live programme delivery, including maintaining project schedules, tracking milestones and deadlines, coordinating risk assessments, and supporting contract administration and approvals.
• Budget support: Assist with the day-to-day management of project budgets, including tracking expenditure, processing payments, and preparing information for reporting to the Chief Curator.
• Curatorial coordination: Support the organisation and running of meetings with other curators contributing to the Live Programme, helping to collate materials, manage timelines, and ensure alignment across projects.
• Cross-departmental collaboration: Liaise regularly with colleagues across FOH, Marketing, Communications, Development, Design, Digital, Conservation, Tech Services, Security, and Health & Safety to support the smooth and effective delivery of live events and installations.
• Artist network development: Contribute to the cultivation of new, diverse, and high quality networks of contemporary practitioners and cultural organisations through attendance at exhibitions, performances, and sector events, and by supporting relationship-building activity.
• Operational and delivery support: Assist with scheduling and delivery planning, coordinating contractors and suppliers, tracking payments, collating RAMS and health & safety documentation, and ensuring projects are delivered to agreed timelines.
• Curatorial and creative contribution: Contribute to the intellectual and public-facing aspects of the programme by drafting copy for the V&A blog and What’s On, supporting interpretive text, contributing to social media commissions, preparing research materials for curatorial review, and assisting with the documentation and evaluation of live events.

Location :V&A East Storehouse / V&A East Museum

Interviews/Assessments: Thursday 29th January 2026, with possible second round  interviews the following week.

Applicants will be emailed by the V&A Recruitment team usually 2-3 weeks after the application deadline with an update on your application.

Potential start date: March 2026