Curatorial Research Residency - Generation Landscape: JMW Turner
We are seeking an early-career curator or researcher for a Curatorial Research Residency, supported by the Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art.
Department: Exhibitions
Location: Hybrid (with travel as required)
Contract Type: Freelance
Start Date: June 2026
Fee: £5,000 inclusive of £2,200 allowance to support research travel to the Yale Center of British Art, New Haven, U.S.
Deadline: 10am on Monday 27th April 2026.
The appointed curator will complete the residency within a fixed six-month timeframe.
Curatorial Research Residency:
Turner Contemporary is seeking an early-career curator or researcher for a Curatorial Research Residency, supported by the Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art as part of the Generation Landscape research programme.
The residency will support original, in-depth curatorial research towards up to two Turner-related displays to be realised at Turner Contemporary over the next few years. We are particularly interested in proposals that offer a fresh, contemporary perspective on JMW Turner, with new thinking on Turner's relationship to Margate and the town's ongoing cultural, social, and environmental significance.
Working closely with Turner Contemporary's curatorial team, the appointed curator will be encouraged to develop new research directions, challenge established narratives and explore how historical scholarship can speak meaningfully to contemporary audiences.
The £5,000 fee includes an allowance of £2,200 to support research travel to the Yale Center of British Art, New Haven, US, mentoring from Dr Amy Concannon, and participation in a programme of events and funded research symposium that helps keep JMW Turner at the heart of the gallery.
How to Apply
To apply for this role, please review the documents available for download below and send the following to applications@turnercontemporary.org:
- A CV outlining your relevant experience and achievements
- Cover Letter (250-500 words) demonstrating how your skills, knowledge and experience meet the specification outlined in the Residency Pack.
- Research Proposal (maximum 500 words) your proposal should demonstrate originality, methodological approach and feasibility within the scope of the residency.
- Portfolio of Previous Work including examples of relevant curatorial, research or exhibition projects.
- (Optional) A completed equal opportunities monitoring form – this will be separated from your application and used for monitoring purposes only
Please email your application to applications@turnercontemporary.org with the subject line: Curatorial Research Residency Application – [Your Name]
The deadline for applications is 10am Monday 27th April 2026
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview on Monday 11th May 2026.
If you have any access requirements or need support with the application process, please contact Ben Dunleavy at bdunleavy@turnercontemporary.org
