Head of Visual Arts

Title:
Responsible to:
Department:
Salary:

Head of Visual Arts

Director of External Relations

Executive

£40,000 pa.

Hours:

40 hours per week, permanent post, 6 months probation.

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 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 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.

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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/

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.

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.

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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.

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 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.

•  Working with the Head of Sales to maximise exhibition merchandise and set and

meet income targets.

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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.

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.

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.

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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.

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

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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