Programmer / Curator

A message from the CEO

The Sherborne inspires audiences, artists and communities across the South West and beyond through a cultural programme of local relevance and national ambition.

The Programmer/Curator is a foundational role. Working with the CEO, you will help shape what The Sherborne shows, who it platforms and how its artistic ambition is realised. This includes our contribution to Sherborne’s year as Dorset Town of Culture 2027 and the longer-term potential for a Wessex Culture Trail.

You will lead exhibitions, outdoor commissions, performance, artist and food-artist residencies, talks, literary evenings and participatory activity. We are especially keen to reignite our historic Art Room as a lively place where people paint, make and create, and to introduce wellbeing activity in our gardens and historic spaces.

The building has long been a home for creativity and thought leadership. We want to give that history fresh relevance through literature salons, art and absinthe evenings, a natural world caf , music nights and an ambitious talks programme.

You will develop a forward-planned, multi-year programme that platforms South West artists alongside work of national and international standing. You will build partnerships, support funding applications, manage budgets and artistic KPIs, and collaborate on practical delivery and visitor experience.

We seek a collaborative, well-connected self-starter with at least two years’ curating or programming experience and a strong record of delivering ambitious public programmes with living artists. Experience in heritage settings, with national funders or within the South West cultural sector is desirable.

The Sherborne opened in 2024 in a Grade I listed Georgian townhouse, bringing together galleries, sculpture gardens, heritage, performance, learning, outreach, hospitality and events.

Salary: £35,000-£40,000
Location: The Sherborne; in person
Benefits: Company pension, employee discount and on-site parking.