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- Tasks: Lead community-led research and knowledge sharing on South African collections in Scottish museums.
- Company: Join National Museums Scotland, a leading museum group with diverse global collections.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and discounts at retailers from day one.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by enhancing community engagement and collection management practices.
- Qualifications: A relevant degree or equivalent experience, plus community and research work experience.
- Other info: Part-time role with a salary of £36,932 to £40,123 (Pro Rata) and a 12-month contract.
The predicted salary is between 36932 - 40123 £ per year.
Project Curator, Participatory Practice and South African Collections in Scottish Museums | Part Time | Fixed Term 12 Months
Salary: £36,932 to £40,123 (Pro Rata)
Hours: 17.5 hours per week (detail of working pattern to be agreed)
Location: National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh
National Museums Scotland is one of the leading museum groups in Europe with one of the largest and most diverse collections in the world. As an organisation our values are Creative, Inclusive, Collaborative and Forward-thinking. We are looking for enthusiastic, passionate, honest, service-driven individuals to join our Global Arts, Cultures & Design team.
Benefits of joining us as our Project Curator will include:
- Annually alongside your salary, National Museums Scotland contributes 28.97% of this towards you being a member of the Civil Service Pension Scheme
- A generous annual leave of 28.5 days, plus an additional 8 paid days public holidays. For part time staff annual leave and public holidays will be pro-rated to reflect your normal working hours.
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Free access to national (and international) museums and exhibitions
- Exclusive discounts on both local and national High Street and online retailers
- A range of wellbeing benefits including Employee Assistance Programme 24/7
- Flexible working options such as hybrid working, part time working, paid special leave, career breaks and unpaid leave
- Access to all the above and more from day one of employment.
About the Project Curator role: We are now seeking an exceptional candidate to lead the development of community-led research and knowledge sharing methodologies around South African collections in Scottish museums. The successful candidate will be responsible for supporting collaborative engagements between community members and museum curators in Scotland and South Africa to develop scalable and transferable participatory practice methodologies, increasing meaningful community engagement and improving collections knowledge and management. This project is generously funded by a grant from Museums Galleries Scotland.
As a Project Curator at National Museums Scotland you will:
- Support digital remote and in-person community consultation and knowledge sharing events at museums in Scotland based on South African collections.
- Develop partnerships with Scottish museums
- Develop partnerships with descendent and diaspora communities in South Africa and Scotland
- Develop guidelines and training and prepare a final report for online publication
Skills and experience we’re looking for in our Project Curator:
- A relevant first degree or equivalent experience
- Experience of working with African collections and/or collection histories
- Experience of undertaking research
- Experience of working with communities
- Knowledge of and commitment to collection management best practice
Hiring the right person for the right job is everything to us. We want to encourage you to apply if you think this is the role for you. Please be sure to view our recruitment pack for this role (available on our careers website: careers.nms.ac.uk) for full details of the position that may help with your application.
The closing date for this role is 13/04/2025. The Selection Event is likely to take place week commencing 28/04/2025.
Project Curator, South African Collections employer: National Museums Scotland
Contact Detail:
National Museums Scotland Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Project Curator, South African Collections
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the South African collections held in Scottish museums. Understanding the history and significance of these collections will not only enhance your knowledge but also demonstrate your genuine interest in the role during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the museum sector, especially those involved with African collections or community engagement. Attend relevant events or workshops to build connections that could provide insights or even referrals for the position.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with community engagement and participatory practices. Think of specific examples where you've successfully collaborated with communities, as this will be a key focus of the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on current trends and best practices in collection management and community-led research. This knowledge will help you articulate how you can contribute to the role and align with the values of National Museums Scotland.
We think you need these skills to ace Project Curator, South African Collections
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to grasp the responsibilities and skills required for the Project Curator position. Highlight your relevant experience in community engagement and African collections.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to reflect your experience with participatory practices, research, and collection management. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to work collaboratively with communities.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for the role and the values of National Museums Scotland. Discuss how your background aligns with their mission of inclusivity and collaboration.
Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, emphasise skills such as research methodologies, community consultation, and partnership development. Provide concrete examples of past projects that illustrate these abilities.
How to prepare for a job interview at National Museums Scotland
✨Research the Collections
Familiarise yourself with the South African collections held by the National Museums Scotland. Understanding the history and significance of these collections will help you demonstrate your passion and knowledge during the interview.
✨Showcase Community Engagement Experience
Prepare examples of your previous work with communities, especially in participatory practices. Highlight any successful projects where you facilitated collaboration between diverse groups, as this aligns closely with the role's requirements.
✨Understand Collection Management Best Practices
Brush up on collection management principles and best practices. Be ready to discuss how you would apply these in the context of the South African collections, showcasing your commitment to improving collections knowledge and management.
✨Prepare Thoughtful Questions
Think of insightful questions to ask the interviewers about the role and the organisation. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.
