Head of Content, Research & Publications for a Contemporary Artist Studio based in London

Our client is seeking an exceptional Head of Content, Research & Publications to join a leading contemporary artist’s studio based in London but with significant operations in Berlin. This is a unique opportunity for an intellectually curious, highly organised, and creatively driven individual to take ownership of the artist’s research, content, publications, and archival initiatives.

The successful candidate will play a central role in shaping and communicating the artist’s mythology, philosophy, history, and body of work across multiple channels. Working closely with the artist and studio leadership, you will lead the development of research-led content for digital platforms, publications, exhibitions, and future book projects, while overseeing the organisation and preservation of the artist’s visual and intellectual archive. This is a role that is both forward-looking in terms of developing the artist’s current projects but which also involves storytelling around the artist’s 40-year career history.

This role combines art historical scholarship, editorial expertise, content strategy, archive management, and digital storytelling. It is ideally suited to someone who can operate independently, think critically, and translate complex artistic ideas into compelling content for diverse audiences.

The Opportunity

You will be responsible for building and leading this function within the studio, taking ownership of the research and content ecosystem from concept through to publication and distribution. The studio is looking for someone with sufficient experience and confidence to work autonomously, requiring strategic direction rather than day-to-day supervision. The ideal candidate will possess a strong academic grounding in art history, theory, or a related discipline, alongside practical experience in publishing, archives, digital content, and visual storytelling.

Key Responsibilities

Content Strategy & Storytelling

• Develop and execute a content strategy that communicates the artist’s overriding philosophy, practice, and evolving body of work.
• Identify and develop narratives that deepen audience engagement with the artist’s work and legacy.
• Lead creative planning for content supporting exhibitions, projects, publications, and wider studio communications.
• Generate concepts, storyboards, and content ideas for approval and execution.
• Ensure consistency of voice and intellectual rigour across all communication channels.
• Manage the content pipeline from creation through to publication and distribution.

Digital Content & Social Media

• Oversee content production and distribution across the website, Instagram, and other relevant platforms.
• Monitor social media trends, audience insights, and platform developments to inform strategy and maximise engagement.
• Collaborate with external creatives and freelancers where required, including photographers, videographers, editors, designers, and publishers.
• Ensure content is optimised appropriately for each platform while maintaining artistic integrity and brand consistency.

Research & Publications

• Conduct in-depth research into the artist’s works, influences, exhibitions, and wider cultural context.
• Develop, maintain, and expand the artist’s archive, ensuring artworks, documentation, and historical materials are accurately catalogued and organised.
• Undertake provenance research, bibliography compilation, attribution research, and archival investigation.
• Write and edit scholarly, editorial, and web-based content to a high standard.
• Produce research materials for publications, exhibition catalogues, essays, website content, and future book projects.
• Proofread, fact-check, and ensure accuracy across all published materials.
• Manage publication projects from conception through to delivery.
• Liaise with curators, academics, institutions, archives, and external experts internationally to source information and documentation.
• Support loan requests and related documentation where required.

Visual Documentation & Production

• Coordinate and capture visual documentation of artworks, exhibitions, studio activity, and artist projects.
• Operate filming and photography equipment where required, including cameras, mobile devices, microphones, lighting, and stabilisation equipment.
• Capture content for exhibitions, launches, artist documentation, and social media.
• Direct and manage external editors and production partners when necessary.
• Organise and maintain digital assets, ensuring efficient archiving, tagging, storage, and retrieval of content.

Candidate Profile

Essential

• Master's degree (or equivalent) in Art History, Curatorial Studies, Fine Art, Visual Culture, or a related field.
• Strong understanding of contemporary art, art history, critical theory, and visual culture.
• Demonstrable experience conducting scholarly research and producing high-quality written content.
• Excellent writing, editing, and proofreading skills.
• Experience managing archives, cataloguing artworks, and maintaining research databases.
• Strong organisational skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently, prioritise effectively, and take ownership of projects.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• High level of digital literacy and confidence working across content management systems, databases, and productivity tools.
• Fluent written and spoken English.

Desirable

• Experience working within an artist studio, gallery, museum, archive, publisher, or cultural institution.
• Experience managing publication projects, exhibition catalogues, or artist monographs.
• Knowledge of gallery management software and collection databases.
• Experience creating or managing digital and social media content.
• Familiarity with photography, videography, and content production workflows.
• Additional language skills.

Personal Attributes

• Intellectually curious and deeply engaged with contemporary art and culture.
• Self-motivated, proactive, and entrepreneurial in approach.
• Comfortable operating with a high degree of autonomy and accountability.
• Able to balance scholarly rigour with creative storytelling.
• Adaptable and resourceful within a dynamic studio environment.
• Collaborative, professional, and discreet.

Contract type: 6 month contract with the possibility to extend

Full-time, onsite in London with periodic travel to Berlin

Salary: DOE