We know that having a skilled, diverse and ambitious board helps museums thrive.
This Project will support museums in embodying the Inclusivity & Relevance Investment Principle, part of Arts Council England’s Let’s Create strategy.
This project aims to recruit and train a ‘new wave’ of trustees to help refresh boards and bring new skills into museums. Once trained, we will help match the individual with museums looking to recruit new board members.
We have now recruited our team of individuals from across the South East to take part in the scheme.
What is the New Wave Trustee programme?
The New Wave Trustee programme combines a trustee recruitment programme with bespoke support aimed specifically at museums who are looking to recruit new trustees.
For potential new trustees
Individuals with an interest in becoming a museum trustee will attend four short online workshops in Spring 2022 giving an introduction to the role of a trustee and sources of advice and support.
These sessions are open to anyone interested in finding out more, whether they are currently working in museums or are coming from outside the sector. This opportunity could suit a freelance practitioner looking to widen their network, an early career professional keen to gain experience or a retired individual wanting to give back to their local community. Becoming a trustee is a rewarding experience that benefits both the museum and your own professional development.
The selected individuals will attend a series of 4 online workshops, Thinking of Becoming a Museum Trustee? through March and April 2022, after which our team will support them to find a role that suits them.
For museums
Museums who are looking for new trustees were invited to attend an online workshop in Spring 2022 focusing on best approaches to bringing new trustees on board. Museums in the programme will also be given access to a toolkit of resources to support trustee recruitment and induction.
The New Wave Trustee programme will then provide 1:1 support to match potential new trustees with the museums who need them.
Thank you to all of the museums who have applied to take part in our New Wave Trustees Project.
Why now?
The role of a museum trustee is changing. The last 2 years have really highlighted the need for museums to have a mix of skills and different perspectives within their board. Many museums have recognised a need to strengthen and diversify their boards, but they need help to reach out to new trustees and to provide the grounding for those new to the role.
South East Museum Development developed this bespoke programme to provide that help by recruiting and training a cohort of new trustees for museums across the south east.
Museum trustees do not need to be experts in the subject-matter of the museum. A board of trustees is most effective when it includes people with a range of skills and perspectives united by a common desire to see the museum survive and thrive into the future.
If you have any further questions on the project, please contact our project lead Katrina Burton.
This page will be updated with project updates as the work progresses, and we will share project resources in due course in this online space.