Curator role up for grabs at Bowes Museum in Barnard Castle

The Bowes Museum in Barnard Castle is recruiting for four positions across its collections, curatorial, visitor experience, and catering teams.

Each role supports the museum’s ambition to develop its visitor experience and expand public engagement.

Collections assistant

This full-time, permanent post carries a salary of £26,522.50, with applications closing at 5pm on Friday, May 22.

The collections assistant will take charge of maintaining and improving the museum’s collections records, supporting a database migration, and ensuring documentation is accurate and accessible.

The role also involves coordinating loans, supporting object movement, and contributing to the care and management of the museum’s works.

(Image: STUART BOULTON)

Curator (co-production)

This is a part-time role on a fixed-term contract until 2029, with an annual salary of £18,708.50 (based on three days per week).

The curator (co-production) will help embed co-production practices across the museum’s work as part of the Art Fund’s Going Places programme, backed by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and The Julia Rausing Trust.

The Bowes Museum is part of the Founding the Future network, working alongside Watts Gallery in Guildford and Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum in Bournemouth.

The post will play a key role in a collaborative touring exhibition programme running from 2026 to 2029, leading community co-production for planned exhibitions in 2027 and 2028/9.

Welcome team supervisor (temporary cover)

This fixed-term, six-month position offers 34 hours per week at a rate of £13.27 per hour (£23,461.36 per annum, pro rata).

Candidates must be enthusiastic, self-motivated, and comfortable working in a visitor-facing, customer service environment.

Strong people-management skills and a passion for developing others are essential.

Applications close on Friday, May 22, with interviews scheduled for Thursday, May 28.

Chef

The museum is seeking a chef for its catering team to help deliver a high-quality, locally sourced menu for the museum café and events.

This permanent role is for 32 hours per week (four days), with a salary of £22,481.44.

The chef’s work will help create a warm, memorable experience for visitors through food.

Applications close on Friday, May 29, with interviews taking place on Thursday, June 4.

Visit thebowesmuseum.org.uk/jobs-and-volunteering/