News November 2025

Scotland + Venice Call Out: 3 x Senior Exhibition Associates

Background

Scotland + Venice is a major, international project designed to promote the best of contemporary art and architecture from Scotland on the world stage. Founded in 2003 the project supports the development of new work, fosters international connections and exchange, and positions Scotland as a vibrant place for creative and cultural production. 

Scotland + Venice is a partnership between Creative Scotland, British Council Scotland, National Galleries Scotland, Architecture & Design Scotland, V&A Dundee and the Scottish Government. 

For the 61st International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia in 2026, Bugarin + Castle are to represent Scotland, in a project curated by Mount Stuart Trust and commissioned by Scotland + Venice. 

Bugarin + Castle’s commission is a multi-layered new project that uses the concept of the parade as a lens to explore complex emotional legacies of shame, pride and celebration.  Drawing on queer histories, Scottish archives and Filipino cultural heritage, Bugarin + Castle’s project will examine how sound and costume shape social control. The artists’, Davide Bugarin and Angel Cohn Castle, interdisciplinary art practice traverses' cabaret performance and architectural methodologies, driven by queer and decolonial research.

Outer Spaces is partnering with Scotland + Venice to support Scotland’s contribution to this world-renowned event. Through the partnership, three early-career visual arts professionals will spend 10 weeks in Venice, as Senior Exhibition Associates, gaining hands-on experience within an international art context. 

The opportunity

Outer Spaces is offering a 10-week paid professional development opportunity to work as a Senior Exhibition Associate in Venice, as part of the Scotland + Venice Professional Development Programme (PDP). The role offers you the chance to gain leadership experience by leading a team of associates, develop your communication and facilitation skills, and engage with audiences in an internationally renowned cultural context. You will support the public’s understanding of a major new artwork while expanding your professional practice in dialogue with peers from around the world.

Eligibility

This opportunity is open exclusively to members of the Outer Spaces network. Please read the following programme requirements. Please do not apply if you cannot commit to these requirements.

• Applicants must be using an Outer Spaces studio, inducted before 1st November 2025.
• We are seeking applicants who describe themselves as early-career visual arts professionals (artists, curators, writers, etc.). We consider ‘early career’ to include anyone within seven years of completing formal education (university, art school, or college), or those without formal training who have an active practice but haven’t yet held a major exhibition (as an artist or curator) at a publicly funded organisation or written for major art publications. If you’re unsure whether you fit this description, we’d be happy to chat and clarify.
• All individuals must be over the age of 18 from 1 January 2026.
• As international travel is involved in this role, having a passport is essential, if you travel on a UK passport it must have more than 6 months validity at the time of travel.
• Applicants must be available to take up the post for one of the following time slots (please state your preferred dates on the application form):
  - Block A: 1 May - 13 July 2026
  - Block B: 7 July - 18 September 2026
  - Block C: 11 September - 23 November 2026
• Applicants must be available to attend 2 - 3 days formal training between February and April 2026

Through your application, please demonstrate your interest in contemporary art, the Venice Biennale, and the practice of Bugarin + Castle, as well as your enthusiasm for working with the curatorial team at Mount Stuart Trust.

Access

We are committed to making the Professional Development Programme an equal opportunity and actively encourage applications from individuals irrespective of sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression, disability, age, race, and ethnicity, or with specific additional support needs. Successful applicants will complete an access rider as part of the recruitment process.

The detail

A key part of Scotland + Venice is the Professional Development Programme (PDP) which offers a once in a lifetime paid opportunity for 17 students and visual arts professionals the chance to spend time in Venice during the Biennale. At the heart of this role is the opportunity to grow your confidence in communicating contemporary art to a wide range of audiences. You’ll learn how to support conversations that help visitors connect with the themes and ideas behind the work on display. Through this you will develop strategies for speaking about your practice and for engaging with diverse publics in an international context.

Participants engage with the curatorial team in the run up to the Biennale opening, receive training around the work and venue and then look after and advocate for the exhibition whilst accessing the wealth of international exhibitions. You are also given time to dedicate to academic or practice-based research. In the past, participation has led to jobs, placements and delivered many exciting collaborations and research. This Outer Spaces opportunity is for:

Senior Exhibition Associatesx 3 (10 week stay)

£5,180 per visual arts professional based on an increased hourly rate of £14.80 (35-hour week for 10 weeks) for the duration of work in Venice and includes attendance at training; all travel to Venice and return to UK, accommodation and biennale passes.

What you will be part of

• Venice Residency: Each participant will spend ten-weeks in Venice as a Senior Exhibition Associate for the Scotland + Venice presentation, with flights, accommodation, training, and a Living Wage fee covered. You will also gain first-hand insight into how international exhibitions are produced and experienced, offering a rare opportunity to expand your understanding of the global visual arts ecosystem.
• Engaging Audiences & Communicating Contemporary Art: Through daily interaction with international visitors, you will develop the ability to communicate complex ideas clearly, foster meaningful dialogue about contemporary art, and build your confidence as a facilitator and ambassador for the project. Participants will gain skills in public engagement, condition reporting, teamwork, hospitality, and health and safety, while presenting to visitors, student groups, and contributing to blogs or communications.
• Training & Support: Training - developed with input from Professional Development Programme Partnership organisations and the creative delivery team - indicative activity includes introductions to the exhibiting team, technical and contextual learning about the Biennale, and basic Italian language support.
• Collaboration & Knowledge Sharing: Teams will include diverse participants from across Scotland, fostering peer learning and widening access. You will also be part of a wider international network growing your networks both at home and abroad.
• Creative & Communication Outputs: Participants will work together to produce creative responses to their experience in Venice. This might take the form of writing, artwork, film, or other media. These collaborative projects will be shared with future groups, helping build a shared legacy for the Professional Development Programme.

You’ll also have the chance to contribute to online content, take part in public events, and share your insights on a dedicated social platform. With support and training, you’ll develop your communication skills and professional voice in an environment that values curiosity, critical thinking, and open dialogue.

What will be expected of you

All associates will be expected to:

• Maintain a welcoming, inclusive, informed and engaging environment for all visitors.
• Uphold our values in audience care, inclusivity, and representation.

• The security and safety of exhibition, visitors and artworks.
• Be an ambassador for Scotland + Venice.

• Provide a key point of contact for the Scotland + Venice presentation.

• Maintain accurate records of attendance, incidents and project feedback.

• Develop international peer-to-peer relationships through events and networking.

• Be prepared to facilitate on site events and activities.
  
  

In addition, Senior Associates will be expected to:

• Take full responsibility for the smooth running of the venue during opening hours, events and activities, akin to the role of Duty Manager.
• Supervise and support the exhibition associates.
• Provide guidance and support to associates in dealing with customer issues or unexpected operational challenges.
• Respond promptly and professionally to audience or visitor feedback, queries, and complaints. Reporting to either Scotland + Venice Programme Manager or Art Events liaison as appropriate.
• Ensure compliance with health & safety, fire, and safeguarding policies at all times.
• Conduct pre-event safety checks and ensure emergency procedures are understood by all associates.
• Complete and log incident reports accurately and promptly in line with Art Events and/or Scotland + Venice policies.
• Report any issues arising regarding the day-to-day operations of the exhibition to either Scotland + Venice Programme Manager or Art Events liaison as appropriate.
• Provide a clear handover to the next Senior Exhibition Associate and Scotland + Venice Programme Manager.

How to apply

Please make sure you meet the eligibility criteria (stated here) before making your application.

Please complete the online application form HERE. You are welcome to submit your answers in an alternative format (audio/video) and will be asked to upload your CV as part of the application.

For enquiries please email Dr Gayle Meikle, Programme Manager for Scotland + Venice gayle.meikle@scotlandandvenice.com.

Deadline

Deadline: 11.59pm Wednesday 10th December 2025

Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered

Interviews will take place week beginning 19 January 2026

Image: Participants of the Scotland + Venice professional development programme 2022, photo by Matthew Arthur Williams, courtesy of Scotland + Venice