Creativity.
Care.
Connection.
Beyond the Bonnets exhibition, The ARC, Winchester, 2025. Photo: Kathleen Palmer
A strong storyteller, I can expertly shape narratives for specific spaces or contexts. I create meaningful, inclusive and engaging exhibitions and public programmes, drawing out connections between past and present. Experience at the Foundling Museum and Imperial War Museums has sharpened my skills in dealing with challenging subject matter and exploring big ideas.
I also work with collections, delivering successful documentation and digitisation projects, strategic collection development initiatives and digital collection content programmes. I bring creativity and care to any undertaking.
Many recent projects have involved collaborating with community researchers and co-curators. I love working as part of a team, and particularly enjoy mentoring and developing others.
I am based near London, and I am available for work throughout the UK.
Installing with conservator Ruth James. Photo: John Reed
Research visit with photographer Stu McKenzie. Photo: Kathleen Palmer
My CV
Freelance since 2023
Current and recent projects:
Guest Curator for Hampshire Cultural Trust - Beyond the Bonnets: Working Women in Jane Austen's Novels, exhibition opening Winchester ARC, July 2025. Part of Jane Austen 250, and HCT’s National Lottery Heritage Fund Hunters & Gatherers project.
Artist Mentoring - working with individual artists to shape project proposals.
Missing Katrice - working with photographer Stu McKenzie to curate this site-specific exhibition in Paderborn, Germany, November 2024.
Education
BA Hons History of Art, University of Bristol
MA Museology, University of East Anglia
Experience
2017-2023 Curator: Exhibitions and Displays, The Foundling Museum
2010-2017 Head of Art, Imperial War Museums
2005-2010 Senior Curator, Department of Art, IWM
2001-2005 Documentation Manager, Department of Art, IWM
1998-2001 Documentation Assistant, Sainsbury Centre for Visual Art, University of East Anglia
Can I help you tell your story?
“I’m deeply grateful to Kathleen for her invaluable support and guidance. Her expertise and dedication as exhibition curator for Missing Katrice played a key role in bringing the project to life.”