As an internationally-renowned centre for the teaching and research of art history and a major public gallery, The Courtauld works to advance how we see and understand the visual arts. Founded by collectors and philanthropists in 1932, the organisation has been at the forefront of the study of art ever since, through advanced research and conservation practice, innovative teaching, a world-famous collection, inspiring exhibitions, and engaging activities and events. Founded on the belief that everyone should have the opportunity to engage with art, The Courtauld works to increase understanding of the role played by art throughout history, in all societies and across all geographies – as well championing the importance of art in the present day. This could be through exhibitions offering opportunities to look closely at world-famous works; events bringing art history research to new audiences; research-led short courses; digital engagement, innovative family, school and community programmes; or formal qualifications.

Academically, The Courtauld faculty is the largest community of art historians and conservators in the UK, teaching and carrying out research on subjects from creativity in late Antiquity to contemporary digital art forms – with an increasingly global range. An independent college of the University of London, The Courtauld has significantly broadened its curriculum over the years and offers degree programmes from BA to PhD in the history of art, curating and the conservation of easel and wall paintings. Its alumni are leaders and innovators in the arts, culture and business worlds, helping to shape the global agenda for the arts and creative industries. Additionally, The Courtauld cares for one of the greatest art collections in the UK, presenting these works to the public at The Courtauld Gallery in central London, as well as through loans and partnerships. The Gallery is most famous for its iconic Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces – such as Van Gogh’s Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear and Manet’s A Bar at the Folies-Bergère. It showcases these alongside an internationally-renowned collection of works from the Middle Ages and Renaissance through to the present day.

The Courtauld’s ambition is to transform access to art history education by extending the horizons of the subject and ensuring as many people as possible can benefit from the tools to understand better the visual world around us. The Courtauld is at a fascinating moment in its history – and a critical point in an ambitious institutional development and transformation project. This major programme is underpinned by a substantial capital project to modernise and transform its home, the North Block of Somerset House – London’s working arts centre – into a 21st-century estate. A series of architectural interventions, restorations and renovations are rejuvenating and revitalising this important historic building. The Gallery reopened in November 2021 to critical acclaim, with huge improvements to the building’s accessibility, visitor experience, the care of it's collections and conservation facilities. With students and academic staff temporarily based near King’s Cross, plans to redevelop the remaining parts of the North Block at Somerset House will also provide state-of-the-art teaching, learning and research facilities. This second phase of the capital project will enable The Courtauld to be a centre for excellence, whilst ensuring that it is accessible and open to wider and more diverse publics, locally, nationally and globally.

In January 2022, The Courtauld announced a ten-year strategic relationship with its neighbour King’s College London, which initially involves academic collaborations in teaching and research and shared student facilities. In summer 2023, Professor Deborah Swallow, Märit Rausing Director, passes the leadership baton to Professor Mark Hallett, currently Director of the Paul Mellon Centre for British Art. Now is an incredibly exciting time to be joining the organisation as it continues to evolve and modernise to ensure that it is fit for purpose for the future as a nationally and internationally-renowned arts institution.

The Courtauld is a registered company and exempt charity; as such, Governing Board members are appointed as Directors and so have the responsibilities of such a role according to the Companies Act. The Courtauld is also subject to the requirements of its Regulator, the Office for Students (OfS).

The Board of Governors is the governing body and is responsible for determining the strategy and mission of The Courtauld, and for overseeing its activities. The Board is responsible for the effective, efficient and economical use of The Courtauld's funds. It sets and monitors its strategic direction to ensure the sustainable delivery of its core objectives.

The Courtauld Governing Board is composed of leaders in business, education and the arts, elected staff representatives, with a number of ex-officio members – the Director of The Courtauld, the President of The Courtauld’s Student Union, the Chair of the Samuel Courtauld Trust and the President of the J. Paul Getty Trust. It also includes six elected staff members. It is chaired by the Lord Browne of Madingley.

Governor (Finance & Audit)

The Courtauld is looking for a Governor with senior, strategic leadership experience across finance and audit to provide scrutiny, advice and oversight to the Board and executive team, ensuring the organisation's financial sustainability for the future.

Candidates will ideally have experience as a CFO / Finance Director in a FTSE 350 organisation or equivalent, or as an Audit Partner in a Big Four firm. They will ideally have experience of operating at board level and could have sat on finance and audit committees. They will not necessarily need to be a qualified accountant but should at least be qualified by experience. Above all, candidates will bring a passion for arts and education to the Board, along with strong commercial nous, advanced business acumen and an international outlook.

Governor (Digital)

The Courtauld is looking for a Governors with strategic leadership and digital expertise to provide advice and oversight to the Board and executive team, providing guidance on the organisation's digital strategy and transformation project. With huge potential for development ahead, this person will offer their expertise in terms of modernising the organisation and ensuring it is fit for purpose in the digital era.

As The Courtauld looks at improving its digital infrastructure as well as digitalising many of its assets and cultural artefacts, the new Digital Governor will be a critical friend and provide advice on various matters such as content development, reviewing its infrastructure and advising on potential partnerships and / or digital education for example. Candidates could be from any sector but will have led digital transformations in similarly large and complex organisations or could have led an organisation towards digitalising its educational offering. Candidates who may not have board experience could for example, have worked closely with boards in their roles at C-Suite Level and have influenced decisions at the most senior levels. Above all, candidates will bring a passion for arts and education and will bring an international outlook to the Board.

To find out more about the Board, please see here.

The Governing Board meetings are currently held up to six times per annum and meetings typically last two hours and are usually held during the working day. The work of the Board is supported by a number of Sub-Committees, and it is expected that the appointee would join up to two of these as appropriate to their expertise and interest. Each of these Committees meets between two to four times per annum, and all meetings are currently transitioning from hybrid to in-person. Governors will also be invited to gallery events and will need to be available for a half-day induction. The term is four years which can be renewed at the discretion of the Board and reasonable, pre-agreed travel expenses may be reimbursed.

Location: Candidates will ideally be UK-based and will need to be able to attend meetings in person in Central London.

The Courtauld is committed to diversity, equality and inclusion for its visitors, staff and student body, carrying on its founding principle of “art for all”; it is firmly committed to doing more to address systemic racism and to become a fully inclusive organisation. The Courtauld has an active Working Group on Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism. This group is supporting work across the organisation to address issues around student and staff recruitment, experience, retention and progression; The Courtauld’s role as a gallery and museum; and decolonising the organisation’s curriculum. This work comes together in an overall Strategy and Action Plan, with the longer-term aim of embedding equality, diversity and inclusion as part of The Courtauld’s daily reality.