Artistic Director, Exhibitions (Maternity Cover)

The Artistic Director, Exhibitions (Maternity Cover) will be line managed by the Chief Executive Officer, with input from the Artistic Director, Exhibitions, and will receive support from the Artistic Director (Education) as required to ensure a smooth transition. Towards the end of the contract, the postholder will work closely with the returning Artistic Director, Exhibitions to ensure continuity and effective delivery of the exhibition programme. During the maternity cover period, they will be a member of and working closely with the Senior Management Team comprising the CEO, Artistic Director (Education), Director of Development & Audience Insights, and Head of Finance. You will be leading the Exhibitions team, which currently includes the Artistic Director for Exhibitions, a Curator, an Assistant Curator (with responsibility for the public programme), and a Technician. The Technician works across the Facilities Team, supporting both the organisation and technical production of exhibitions and offsite projects. As Artistic Director (Maternity Cover), you will line manage the Curator and Technician, act as the main point of contact for stakeholders and funders on designated exhibitions and projects, and ensure best practice across curating, artist liaison, loans management and exhibition administration. Your key objective will be to oversee exhibitions, public events and projects in Ikon’s forthcoming programme (2026/27), set by the Artistic Director, Exhibitions. You will support the Curator in curating and finalising designated exhibitions and projects, while also contributing to the development of confirmed exhibitions, public events and future projects within Ikon’s long-term artistic programme (2028 and beyond). A core part of the role will be to maximise audiences, enhance exhibition funding, and identify commercial opportunities that strengthen the organisation’s artistic and financial reach. For a full job description, please visit Ikon’s website.