We are delighted to announce the opportunity for an early career curator to work on the British Pavilion Commission for the 61st International Art Exhibition, La Biennale di Venezia, opening in Venice in May 2026. Lubaina Himid CBE RA will represent the UK with a solo exhibition at the British Pavilion.
About the opportunity
Thanks to the continuing support of British philanthropist and contemporary art collector Shane Akeroyd, we are able to offer the opportunity for an early career curator to work alongside the Commissioner and the British Council team at the Venice Biennale.
The Shane Akeroyd Associate Curator will gain insight into the delivery of the Lubaina Himid’s British Pavilion exhibition, provide support to our Venice Fellowship programme and build connections between the British Pavilion and Scotland + Venice and Wales in Venice, as well as other UK artists and organisations exhibiting.
We particularly welcome and encourage applications from candidates who are under-represented in the Visual Arts sector.
Fee: £22,500 plus travel expenses
Period of engagement: September 2025 – November 2026
Deadline: 13 July 2025, 23.59 (BST)
Eligibility
We welcome applications from curators both employed by organisations and those working independently.
You must meet all three of the following criteria to be considered for this position.
- You must have the legal right to work in United Kingdom at the time of application but you do not need to have been born in the UK.
- You must be able to take time away from other commitments to fulfil the work of the Associate Curator from September 2025 to November 2026. If you are invited to interview, please provide a letter of support from your current employer(s), if applicable.
- You should not work for any other National Participations in the Venice Biennale’s 61st edition or the wider collateral exhibitions programme surrounding the Art Biennale in Venice during 2026.
How to apply
To apply, visit the online application page via the link below where you'll also find full instructions.
For full details of the opportunity, application and selection process, please download the Open Call document (also available at the bottom of this page). Please read through the full document before applying.
Please submit any questions for clarification to british.pavilion@britishcouncil.org by 9 July 2025.
Candidates must be available for online interview on 22 July 2025 but will be given a choice of slots on the day.
Shortlisted candidates will be contacted on 18 July by 18.00 (BST) with an interview slot.