The British Music Experience is the UK’s Museum of Popular Music – a place where you can relive the moments that helped put British music on the map. Housed for 5 years under the iconic roof of The O2 in London, the BME has made its mark as the centre for everyone who wants to celebrate the rich history of British popular music. The BME is now moving to its new permanent home in the historic Cunard Building in the heart of a UNESCO City of Music, Liverpool. The Museum will be run by a third party operator in partnership with the Trust.
The British Music Experience is a registered charity with the purpose of advancing the education and appreciation of the art, history and science of music in Britain (registered charity no.1125752).
Position Purpose
- To curate current and future content developing opportunities for engagement with target audiences, increasing footfall and generating revenue via a compelling roster of public programming and live events and temporary exhibitions.
- Develop a powerful relationship with the music industry and partners to ensure the BME is recognised as the repository of choice for music artefacts and remains contemporary and relevant. To ensure the BME is regarded as the authority of popular music history in the UK.
- As a member of the BME operations team, and a trustee for the BME, to pro-actively and positively contribute to the longer term vision and game plan for the Museum.
Key Responsibilities- Pre-opening and ongoing
- Safeguard the existing BME collection as well as develop relationships with lenders, artists and management to ensure the ongoing loans and donations of objects
- Lead the content revisions across the entire Museum
- Become a member of the Fit Out team and work alongside the designers, software engineers, operator and contractors to ensure the content (both digital and physical) is displayed appropriately.
- Help develop a bespoke training programme to ensure all BME staff have a high degree of knowledge of the collection.
- Prepare BME specific knowledge handbook training material.
- Work alongside the Operator as needed to safeguard the brand and ensure the BME is presented with authority and integrity in its marketing and public affairs.
- Work alongside the Operator to ensure the appropriate Licencing is obtained and sustained for the content of the Museum.
- Develop and lead a seasonal programme of Live and Special Events, Public Programmes, Master Classes as well as a Curator’s Corner where the public can interact with the Curator and learn more in depth about a particular object, genre, event or movement.
- Works alongside the Operator’s marketing team responding to PR questions and opportunities.
- Work alongside the Operator with the revisions of the Learning Programme and ensure it is executed in an engaging and highly interactive manner. Participate in outreach for the Learning Programme.
- Maintain & develop the content at the BME to ensure it remains current
- Sustain and enhance existing relationships and develop new relationships with music industry and beyond (where relevant) to ensure culture of giving developed and BME becomes repository of choice for artists and industry alike
- Lead an exciting Public Programme which increases engagement year on year, drives visitation and provides wider engagement opportunities
- Participate with academic research on the collection for both PR and museum–engagement purposes.
- As a trustee and keeper of the collection, play a proactive and positive role in creating and delivering a compelling multi-year vision for the BME
- Space-permitting curate an annual roster of temporary exhibitions allowing sufficient lead time to fund and market the exhibition. Work alongside the Operator to develop traveling exhibition opportunities.
- Work with the Trust to develop one significant fundraising public event annually.
- Ongoing reporting to the BME Trustees.
- Be plugged into the wider culture scene in the UK (network with curators at National Museums & seize partnership opportunities i.e. Bowie at the V&A), and the music scene globally, the development of content and thematic displays will harness arena content and/or cultural themes at large to ensure cut through and appeal.
Key Skills:
- Effective and engaging communicator, including presenting and public speaking.
- Proven success and experience in either Production Management in Theatre, Museums, exhibition curator similar role within the Arts/Heritage/ Music Sector.
- Curatorial expertise and collections management experience.
- Networks and relationships within the museums sector and/or music industry.
- Ability to work on own initiative and collaborate when needed.
- Energy and drive to ensure collection grows and is enjoyed by many more.
- Positive with a “can do” attitude.
- Team player who enjoys working in a high achieving environment.
- A commitment to delivering the best.
- A passion for music and a deep knowledge and understanding of the history of popular music in the UK.
- Degree or Industry recognised qualification in Production management / Curator / Events.
- Computer literate and reasonably tech savvy.
Location: Cunard Building, Liverpool
For more information please visit www.britishmusicexperience.com
To Apply: Send a 1 page covering letter along with a 2 page CV to jobs@britishmusicexperience.com no later than April 30 2016
