Assistant Curator (Registrar & Logistics)

Taking place 5 June – 12 September 2027, the 14th edition of Liverpool Biennial will be informed by perspectives and experiences of childhood and youth in Liverpool and across the world. It is co-curated by Aimee Harrison and Lucía Sanromán and will present the work of 25 artists working in venues and public spaces across the city. 

The Assistant Curator (Registrar & Logistics) is a key staff member within the Programme Team, providing organisational and administrative support across the delivery of Liverpool Biennial 2027.  

The role has particular responsibility for artwork logistics and care, including loans, condition checking, shipping, insurance and artwork records. The postholder will work closely with artists, lenders, galleries, shipping agents, venues and internal teams to ensure artworks are properly documented, transported, installed and cared for.  

The role will also support the development and delivery of the Liverpool Biennial 2027 publication, working closely with the Co-Curators and other colleagues. 

Main Duties

Artwork Registration, Logistics & Care 

• Manage and coordinate artwork loans, acting as a key point of contact for artists, lenders, galleries and venues, ensuring agreements, information and documentation are completed and kept up to date.    

• Lead on artwork registration and condition checking, ensuring a robust and clear procedure is in place to maintain accurate records of artworks, locations, dimensions, values, condition and installation requirements.  

• Coordinate with the Programme and Production teams and Biennial venue partners to ensure artwork schedules, installation requirements and care information are clearly communicated.  

• Support the installation and deinstallation of artworks, including resolving logistical and artwork-care issues as required.  

• Act as lead liaison for a selection of artists and provide artist support and hosting during visits to Liverpool.  

Shipping, Customs & Insurance

• With the Production Services provider, coordinate national and international artwork shipments in collaboration with shipping agents, artists, lenders and venues.  

• Maintain accurate shipping information and documentation, including artwork details, packing requirements, customs paperwork, CITES permits and other relevant documentation.  

• Liaise with shipping agents and contractors to coordinate schedules, consolidated shipments and sustainable approaches to transportation and packaging.  

• Support the administration of artwork insurance, including maintaining accurate values, locations and insurance information.  

• Keep shipping and insurance expenditure records up to date, supporting procurement, purchase orders and invoice processing.  

• Keep up to date with relevant customs, taxation and import/export requirements and flag issues or risks to the Programme Manager and Production Manager.  

Publications

• Work with the Co-Curators to coordinate the development and delivery of the Liverpool Biennial 2027 publication, maintaining schedules, deadlines and communication with contributors and suppliers.  

• Support the Learning team on the coordination and delivery of the Children’s Guide, including liaising with designers and printers.  

• Liaise with writers, artists and other contributors, including issuing briefs, agreeing fees and managing deadlines.  

• Liaise with and contract invited writers, artists and other contributors, including issuing briefs, negotiating fees and managing deadlines.   

• Coordinate image and text permissions and licencing and support the copyediting and proofreading process.  

• Liaise with the Marketing Team, designer, printer and other suppliers to support production, printing and distribution, maintaining the publication budget and associated financial records.   

Programme and Finance Administration

• Support the organisation of artist travel, accommodation, per diems and visas where required and prepare schedules and information for their visits.  

• Monitor and maintain specific programme budgets and process estimates, purchase orders and invoices in accordance with Liverpool Biennial procedures.  

• Maintain and update contacts on the Liverpool Biennial database and support Development team with compiling guest lists for events and openings.    

• Attend and contribute to meetings, taking notes and following up actions as required.  

• Supporting the Marketing Team by drafting, collating and copy-editing artist and project information for announcements, website, press packs, interpretation, and Guide where required.  

General

• Supervise interns and departmental work placements as required.   

• Attend training and professional development opportunities as required.  

• Work within the context of Liverpool Biennial’s Equality and Diversity policy, Code of Conduct, Sustainability policy and other policies.   

• Represent Liverpool Biennial at public events, meetings and networking events where appropriate.  

• Work occasional evenings and weekends as necessary, taking this as Time Off in Lieu (to be agreed in advance with your line manager).  

• Undertake any other duties commensurate with the nature and responsibility level of the post. 

FAQ’s

Can Liverpool Biennial sponsor Visas?

• No, unfortunately we can only consider candidates with the right to work in the UK as sponsorship is not possible

When will the role start?

• We would like the successful candidates to be available to start in January, but recognise that this will be dependent on notice periods

Can I travel in for this role or do I need to be based in Liverpool?

• Given the hands on nature of the role we would expect the successful candidates to either be based in the North West or willing to relocate. From January 2027 all team members are expected to be available to work in Liverpool every day.

To find out more about this role and how to apply, download the job pack below