Head of Visual Arts

Title:

Head of Visual Arts

Responsible to:  Director of External Relations

Department:

Executive

Salary:

£40,000 pa.

Hours:
                             6 months probation.

40 hours per week, permanent post,

Summary of Post

DLWP is about to embark on an exciting new stage of its

story. Transforming Heritage is a £51.9m masterplan

capital project, with Phase 1 (of 3) running from 2026/7

to 2028/9. By revealing, valuing and sharing the

architectural and social heritage of this iconic 1930s

building, the project will ensure the Pavilion’s place as a

vibrant arts and cultural hub for the south-east and

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beyond. Owned and well used by local communities,

DLWP will deliver transformative experiences that build

community, creativity and skills and, in turn, develop

opportunity and growth for the region.

We are seeking a Head of Visual Arts who will conceive

and oversee the delivery of high quality exhibitions and

projects in our galleries, outside the building and in

spaces within our community. Having undergone an

extensive public consultation, we are actively seeking an

individual who has experience in co-curation* to meet

the needs of the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF)

Activity Plan, as well as programming exhibitions that

will continue to build on our national and international

reputation for presenting a diverse and high-quality

visual arts programme. This role requires leadership,

experience in partnership working, energy, agility,

responsiveness and a commitment to work with the

team to diversify and increase visual arts audiences to

meet DLWP’s artistic and business objectives (see

below).

* DLWP views co-curation as a long-term, values-led

practice that goes beyond consultation.   Co-creation is

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not just a methodology, but a cultural position that shifts

how we understand authorship, power, and participation

in programming. This includes:

•  Designing with, not for – sharing authorship from

the start.

•  Structuring work around trust, flexibility, and

responsiveness.

•  Prioritising relational dynamics, emotional safety,

and care.

•  Embracing non-linear processes and plural ways

of knowing.

•  Working in ways that are inclusive, iterative,

reflective – and sometimes slow – as we move at

the pace of trust.

Visit the following links for further information:

https://www.dlwp.com/about-us/

https://www.dlwp.com/whats-on/

https://www.dlwp.com/past-exhibitions/

https://www.dlwp.com/our-capital-project/

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HEAD OF VISUAL ARTS

Main duties and responsibilities

Exhibitions and Visual Arts Projects

Oversee confirmed exhibitions for spring 2026 and

supervise/support the Curator in their delivery.

Programme the remainder of 2026 exhibitions, and work

with the Curator on their development and delivery.

Be responsible for developing and delivering the

exhibitions and visual arts programme included in the

NLHF Activity Plan (pending funding decision).

Curate and manage additional visual arts projects in

spaces inside and outside the Pavilion and in the

community during Phase 1 of the Capital Works and

beyond.

Develop a refreshed exhibition strategy from 2028,

including national/international partnerships, design-led

strands, public art, co-curated community partnerships

and heritage elements.

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External partnerships

Cultivate and manage relationships with artists.

Grow relationships with national and international

institutions.

Work with local external partners to develop a co-

curation model of working for appropriate projects.

Some of these are identified in the NLHF Activity Plan.

Work with external partners to ensure we are part of key

local, regional and national networks.

Support local creative initiatives, organisations and

freelancers, as part of the regional ecology.

Actively support the arts ecology of Beeching Road

Studios and be a member of the Steering Group

Committee.

Audiences and Interpretation

As part of the Senior Management Team, prioritise the

development of audiences identified in the Business

Plan, particularly through the lens of Equality, Diversity

and Inclusion initiatives.

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Work with the Executive to agree and deliver exhibition

audience and income targets.

Working with the Head of Learning and the NLHF

Activity Plan delivery team, help develop accessible

interpretation programmes, materials and resources for

all exhibitions and audiences.

Create an exhibition-related associated public

programme which is engaging and relevant to

audiences, increasing the understanding of the

exhibitions to visitors both on and offline.

Work closely with the Communications team to ensure

that images and copy arrives correct and in a timely

manner for the website, press release and general

exhibitions’ marketing. Work with Communications team

on accessible and innovative presentation of exhibitions

on and offline including use of video and artist

interviews.

Skills Development

Support DLWP Head of Skills to identify exhibition/visual

arts skills and learning opportunities for local young

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people and help develop skills programmes with existing

partners such as Beeching Road Studios, Talent

Accelerator and Creative Sidley (Esmée Fairbairn

funded).

Manage annual Curatorial Fellowship and Artist Studio

Development Programmes in collaboration with Flatland

Projects.

Budget, Funding and Income Generation

Work within and manage the annual exhibition budget.

Work with the Head of Development to identify

opportunities for funding. This will include:

•  Taking the lead on Visual Arts Trusts and

Foundations applications.

•  Developing the Visual Arts Patrons scheme.

•  Alongside the Executive team, taking part in tours,

talks, dinners and other events to cultivate

individual giving and the development of the Visual

Arts Patrons Scheme.

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•  Working with the Head of Sales to maximise

exhibition merchandise and set and meet income

targets.

Internal Management Responsibilities

Maintain strategic oversight of the Visual Arts team,

managing the Curator and Gallery Manager, and jointly

managing (with Head of Learning) the Communities Co-

producer (NLHF funded).

As part of the Senior Management Team, take part in all

relevant meetings, contribute to organisation-wide policy

making where appropriate and keep the wider team

updated on exhibition activities.

Work with the Executive team to organise exhibition

opening events.

Monitoring and Reporting

Write quarterly reports for DLWP Board and present to

the Board when necessary.

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Monitor exhibitions activity against business plan targets

(including audience targets).

Support the evaluation of the exhibition programmes for

key funders including ACE, Rother District Council and

NLHF.

Manage and complete ‘Insight and Impact’ activity

relating to the exhibitions programme and work with the

Data and Insights Manager on the recording and

evaluation of data pertaining to Visual Arts.

Essential person specification

Proven experience of devising, curating and delivering

high quality visual arts programmes of national and

international standing within the context of a public arts

organisation.

Excellent people management and communication

skills.

A commitment to the co-curation ethos of the NLHF

funded activity plan.

Ability to be responsive and agile around the demands

of a capital programme.

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Ability to work on own initiative and prioritise workload.

Ability to work creatively as part of a team.

Excellent organisational skills.

Experience of managing and administrating budgets.

Strong IT skills.

Flexibility to work evenings and weekends.

Efficient time and work management.

Deadline

Apply by 12pm, Monday 29 September 2025 with a CV,

cover letter and completed Equal Opportunities Form to

jobs@dlwp.com.

Interviews in person at De La Warr Pavilion, Tuesday 7 /

Friday 10 October 2025.

If you need any access adjustments for the application

and/or interview stage, please contact jobs@dlwp.com

to discuss.

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Notes

The minimum working week for the full-time post is

normally 40 hours. However, due to the nature of the

work, actual working hours may exceed this total and

will involve evening and weekend work. This is

considered part of the contract and reflected in the

grading for the post.

This post is based in Bexhill.

This job description is current as of September 2025. It

outlines the main duties of the position and is designed

for both the benefit of the post holder and the

organisation in understanding the prime functions of the

post. It should not be regarded as exclusive or

exhaustive. In particular, the responsibilities of the post

holder may well change from time to time. Management

has the right to vary the duties and responsibilities after

consultation with you.

Staff Benefits

Employer contributions to The People’s Pension

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Free access to Employee Assistance Programme,

Health Assured

Discounts  in DLWP Café Bar and shop+ staff lunch at

special price

Diversity, Equality and Inclusion

At the De La Warr Pavilion, we are committed to building

a diverse and inclusive community that reflects the

diversity of our society as fully as possible.  A community

of staff, residents and audiences where everyone feels

valued, where their contribution matters and where they

can reach their full potential, irrespective of their

background, identity or circumstances.

We are committed to ensuring we are hiring people that

reflect the South East in its broadest form and we are

currently taking action to improve representation from

Black, Asian and Global Majority, LGBTQ+ and lower

socio-economic communities and those with a disability.

We welcome applications from the above under-

represented groups.

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