Career profile
Acting Head of Exhibitions and Collections Management, National Portrait Gallery, London (2004-2005; interim management post)
Set up and project-managed relocation of sculpture collections to new offsite store; project completed on time and to budget.
Head of Curatorial Services, Manchester City Galleries
(1999-2004)
Significant project management role in delivering curatorial elements of £35m HLF-funded Manchester Art Gallery ‘Expansion’ project: new collections displays and interpretation including the ground-breaking Clore Interactive Gallery and the Gallery of Craft and Design. Worked closely with architects and designers.
Managed staff teams responsible for the care and development of three collections with MLA Designated Status and exhibition/curatorial programmes at Manchester Art Gallery a well as the Grade One Listed Heaton Hall and Grade Two* Wythenshawe Hall.
Departmental representative for HLF-funded Conservation Plan for Heaton Hall.
Keeper of Art (Exhibitions), Manchester City Galleries
(1992-1999)
Created exhibition programme characterised by powerful strands of contemporary art and design, new commissions and the reassessment of historic art.
Responsible for numerous schemes to upgrade facilities at Manchester Art Gallery and also the conversion of the Upper Campfield Market as a venue for the British Art Show 4.
Pursued results orientated income generating strategy to deliver programmes at ambitious level; prepared successful submissions to sponsors, trusts and agencies, generating up to 33% gross expenditure.
Senior Keeper (Exhibitions), Manchester City Galleries
(1985-1992)
Management Team member responsible for initiating Arts Council-funded Exhibitions Section with brief to transform the Galleries into an audience-focussed organisation through innovative exhibitions/interpretation programmes.
Howard Smith moved to Manchester in 1985 from Bradford Art Galleries and Museums where he was Keeper of Exhibitions.
For full CV please contact me: hs@howardsmithprojects.co.uk