Panel Member, Acceptance in Lieu (AIL) Panel – Museums and Cultural Property
Panel Member, Acceptance in Lieu (AIL) Panel – Museums and Cultural Property

Panel Member, Acceptance in Lieu (AIL) Panel – Museums and Cultural Property

Volunteer Home office (partial)
Arts Council England

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Join a panel to enhance public collections and advise on cultural property.
  • Company: Arts Council England, a leader in the museum and heritage sector.
  • Benefits: Reimbursed expenses and attendance allowance for eligible members.
  • Other info: Flexible role with up to 15 days a year and virtual meeting options.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on UK heritage and enjoy unique experiences.
  • Qualifications: Knowledge of historic properties and ability to assess object conditions.

Location: London with the option to join virtually. (The majority of Panel members attend meetings in-person, but there is the option to join meetings virtually. Some travel may be required with expenses paid.)

Role Type: Voluntary position for a fixed term of four years. There is a possibility of reappointment for a maximum of four years.

Specific Hours: Up to 15 days a year (this includes panel meetings and some preparatory work).

Closing Date: 9am, 11 May 2026

Salary: This is a voluntary role, with UK expenses reasonably incurred reimbursed. An attendance allowance is available to support freelance/self‑employed and other unpaid Panel Members. To be eligible for the allowance, members must be either:

  • Full‑time freelance or self‑employed
  • A freelancer or self‑employed person who also has a part‑time salaried job
  • Unpaid or not in receipt of a salary

Overview of the Role: The Acceptance in Lieu Panel is a subcommittee of Arts Council England’s National Council. It advises the Secretary of State for DCMS, and the Ministers in the devolved governments, on items offered to the nation under the Acceptance in Lieu and Cultural Gifts Schemes. The panel includes experts in a wide range of subject areas. As a member of the Panel you will play an important role in enhancing public collections across the UK. You will be part of a process that brings fantastic objects into public ownership so that they can be enjoyed now and by future generations. We are looking for people who are passionate about public collections and are knowledgeable about the museum and heritage sector throughout the UK.

Expertise and qualifications required:

  • A good knowledge of historic properties and historic house collections.
  • Ability to assess the physical condition of objects under consideration.
  • Working knowledge of the current art and heritage object market and valuations.
  • Awareness of the strengths and gaps of relevant holdings in public institutions in the UK.

We are a Disability Confident Employer, which means we guarantee an interview to any candidate with a declared disability who meets the essential criteria for the role. Disabled, D/deaf and neurodiverse candidates can request a conversation to speak about the role prior to applying and can request documents such as the job description in different formats. If this is required, please contact: recruitment@artscouncil.org.uk.

For any questions about the role, the person specification or the appointment process, please contact Dr. Sarah Posey, Director of Cultural Property via email at Sarah.Posey@artscouncil.org.uk.

Applications to be submitted via the Arts Council England Careers portal.

Panel Member, Acceptance in Lieu (AIL) Panel – Museums and Cultural Property employer: Arts Council England

As a member of the Acceptance in Lieu Panel at Arts Council England, you will join a passionate team dedicated to enhancing public collections across the UK. This voluntary role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the cultural heritage of the nation while enjoying a supportive work culture that values diversity and inclusion. With flexible meeting options in London and the chance to engage with experts in the museum and heritage sector, this position is ideal for those seeking meaningful involvement in the arts community.
Arts Council England

Contact Detail:

Arts Council England Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Panel Member, Acceptance in Lieu (AIL) Panel – Museums and Cultural Property

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the museum and heritage sector. Attend events, join online forums, and connect with current or former panel members. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that spot!

Tip Number 2

Show your passion! When you get the chance to chat with anyone about the role, let your enthusiasm for public collections shine through. Share your thoughts on how you can contribute to enhancing these collections and why it matters to you.

Tip Number 3

Prepare for those meetings! If you get an interview or a chance to meet the panel, do your homework. Familiarise yourself with the current art and heritage market, and be ready to discuss how your expertise aligns with the panel's goals.

Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! Make sure you submit your application via the Arts Council England Careers portal. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!

We think you need these skills to ace Panel Member, Acceptance in Lieu (AIL) Panel – Museums and Cultural Property

Knowledge of Historic Properties
Assessment of Physical Condition of Objects
Understanding of Art and Heritage Object Market
Valuation Skills
Awareness of Public Institution Holdings
Passion for Public Collections
Expertise in Museum and Heritage Sector
Ability to Work in a Team

Some tips for your application 🫡

Know Your Stuff: Make sure you highlight your knowledge of historic properties and collections in your application. We want to see your passion for public collections shine through!

Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic application! We love it when candidates tailor their responses to the role. Show us how your skills and experiences align with what we’re looking for.

Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that get straight to the heart of your qualifications and motivations.

Apply Through Our Website: Remember to submit your application via the Arts Council England Careers portal. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and keep everything organised!

How to prepare for a job interview at Arts Council England

Know Your Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of historic properties and collections. Familiarise yourself with the current art and heritage market, as well as the strengths and gaps in public institutions across the UK. This will help you demonstrate your expertise during the interview.

Show Your Passion

Express your enthusiasm for public collections and the role of the Acceptance in Lieu Panel. Share any personal experiences or projects that highlight your commitment to enhancing public ownership of cultural objects. This will help you connect with the interviewers on a personal level.

Prepare Thoughtful Questions

Think of insightful questions to ask about the panel's work and its impact on public collections. This shows that you're genuinely interested in the role and have done your homework. It also gives you a chance to engage in a meaningful conversation with the interviewers.

Be Ready for Practical Scenarios

Expect to discuss how you would assess the physical condition of objects or evaluate their market value. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've had to make similar assessments. This will showcase your analytical skills and practical knowledge relevant to the role.

Panel Member, Acceptance in Lieu (AIL) Panel – Museums and Cultural Property
Arts Council England

Land your dream job quicker with Premium

You’re marked as a top applicant with our partner companies
Individual CV and cover letter feedback including tailoring to specific job roles
Be among the first applications for new jobs with our AI application
1:1 support and career advice from our career coaches
Go Premium

Money-back if you don't land a job in 6-months

>