Current Opportunity: Project Curator Northumberland Collections

Join our team! We are looking for a project curator to help lead the collections review and on the creation of a new collections development policy focussed on regional identity and pride and uniquely co-authored by and for its people.

The Esmée Fairbairn Collections Fund supports a range of projects that bring collections closer to people. Following a successful application to the Fund, Museums Northumberland is now looking to work with local communities, the public and experts to help us decide how we care for our heritage in the future.

Our project is called Femmer to Firmer. But what does it mean? Femmer is Northumbrian dialect for fragile, so another way of looking at it could be ‘Fragile to Firmer’.

We have over 25,000 objects in our collections, gathered over 160 years and kept at four museum sites across the county. With a huge geographical area to cover including Hexham, Morpeth, Ashington, Berwick-upon-Tweed and everywhere in between, it is no surprise that deciding what to collect, what to display and what to retain within our collections is an ongoing challenge.

We are very proud of our Accredited status, which holds us to certain practical and ethical standards around how we treat objects in our care. Over the past two years we have looked in detail at what we have in our collections. We are now ready to undertake a collaborative collections review, deciding which of the objects in our care should remain and which can be removed in a legal and ethical way.

We are looking for a project curator to help lead the collections review and on the creation of a new collections development policy focussed on regional identity and pride and uniquely co-authored by and for its people.

The Femmer to Firmer project will enable Museums Northumberland to work collectively with our communities, funders and stakeholders to collect the stories of Northumberland, putting us on firmer ground to manage our collections on behalf of the people of Northumberland.

How to apply 

If you are considering applying for the role please read the job specification below before applying.

This fixed term job is initially for 20 months.

Send your CV with covering letter and the names of two people happy to give references to –

Anne Moore, Keeper of Collections (amoore@museumsnorthumberland.org.uk)

Closing date 30^th September 2021

Current Opportunity:

Woodhorn Charitable Trust Trustee

Help Us Connect, Enrich and Inspire Communities by Sharing Northumberland’s Stories

We are looking to refresh the Trustee Board with new trustees, ideally bringing further diversity of background, experience and expertise to a highly motivated board of trustees, in order to help deliver the charity’s ambitious vision.

As the county’s museum service, we have a fascinating portfolio of six historic properties in four locations, and internationally important collections reflecting Northumberland’s role in shaping England’s past, present and future.  Not content with that we seek to reach out to all the county’s communities, encouraging access to and engagement in our history and culture.

We are looking for a wide range of individuals and perspectives to ensure that the board’s strategic thinking represents both traditional and contemporary aspects of the county’s communities and reflects a diversity of life experiences. You may, or may not, have had previous trustee / board experience or may have specific expertise in aspects of our work.

The important thing is that you’re a strategic thinker and a confident networker with the integrity and credibility to interact effectively with people from all backgrounds.

We are particularly looking for Trustees with experience in one of the following areas:

• Data Management and Analytics
• Finance & Accountancy
• Organisational Development & People Management
• Community/Voluntary Action & Third Sector
• Sustainability
• Arts & Creative Production

If you can help us to connect people to Northumberland’s stories, and can devote approximately one day per month in a voluntary capacity to support our cause, please contact Rowan Brown, CEO of Woodhorn Charitable Trust at rbrown@museumsnorthumberland.org.uk for an informal discussion.

 Deadline for applications: Open

Interviews: Flexible

For further information: please see the role profile.

To Apply: Please send your CV and a covering letter of 2 A4 pages maximum to Admin@museumsnorthumberland.org.uk

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Please note: Regrettably we are currently unable to accept applications from individuals employed by Local Authorities or serving a Local Authority in a voluntary capacity