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 Job requirements Essential: Desirable: Job responsibilities Work with the CEO to deliver a forward-planned artistic programme across The Sherborne's galleries, gardens and performance spaces. To apply, please send your CV and a covering letter explaining your interest in the role to [email protected], or view on Indeed, by 23:59 on 2 October 2026. We would love to hear what excites you about The Sherborne and what you feel you could bring to its evolving cultural programme.Job Summary
Job Description
Location: The Sherborne; in person
Benefits: Company pension, employee discount and on-site parking.Job Requirements
At least two years' experience curating or programming within a gallery, museum, arts centre or comparable cultural organisation.
A demonstrable record of developing and delivering ambitious public-facing programmes, including work with living artists.
Strong networks across the visual arts and/or performance sectors.
Excellent organisational, communication and relationship-building skills.
A proactive, resourceful approach and the ability to manage several projects, budgets and deadlines.
Experience contributing to funding applications, interpretation or audience-facing content.
The ability to work collaboratively within a small, multidisciplinary team and confidently with artists, partners, funders and stakeholders.
Experience within a heritage or historic-house setting.
Knowledge of Arts Council England, the National Lottery Heritage Fund or comparable funders.
Established networks within the South West cultural sector.Job Responsibilities
Curate exhibitions, sculpture, commissions, performance, talks and literary events.
Develop artist and food-artist residencies with public and learning activity.
Reignite the Art Room as a space for painting, making and participation.
Establish a wellbeing programme using the gardens and historic spaces.
Develop a multi-year programming strategy aligned with The Sherborne's mission, audiences and funding ambitions.
Help shape our contribution to Dorset Town of Culture 2027 and the Wessex Culture Trail.
Build partnerships with artists, galleries, museums, funders, promoters and touring companies.
Support fundraising, loans, registrar work, installation, conservation, insurance and interpretation.
Manage budgets, schedules and artistic KPIs, reporting against Board and funder expectations.Useful Links
How to Apply