Department for Culture Media and Sport

geffrye museum

The Department for Culture Media and Sport would like to invite applications for 2 new trustees of the Geffrye Museum

Time Commitment
The Board meets at the museum four times per year.  There are a small number of Committees, each of which meets around three times per year.  The total time varies, but, on average, it will be not more than one day per month.

Location of Meetings
Meetings are held at the Museum.

Remuneration
Trustees are non-executive and receive no remuneration, although reasonable expenses may be claimed

Duration of Appointment
The appointment will be for an initial term of four years.

Closing date for applications
3 September 2008

Background

The Geffrye Museum is a specialist museum of English homes and gardens, particularly of the urban middle classes.  It is set in beautiful Grade 1 listed, eighteenth-century buildings, formerly the almshouses of the Ironmongers’ Company, located in Shoreditch, East London.  Established in 1914 by the London County Council, the museum was transferred to an independent trust in 1990 and is supported by government grant through the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.  Further details are available at the Geffrye Museum website.

The strategic purpose of the museum is guided by a five-point vision.

The Geffrye aims to:

  1. be a leading centre for the study of the home, particularly of the urban middle classes in England from 1600 to the present day

  2. be a specialist museum attracting as wide an audience as possible, both actual and virtual, and providing visitors with a unique experience which is enjoyable and educational

  3. provide learning opportunities and a full programme of education services for the benefit of individuals and groups of all ages, involving audiences of diverse cultural, social and economic backgrounds 

  4. be a leader in London’s cultural networks, support design and the creative industries and contribute to social and economic development

  5. play an active role in the development and improvement of museums in London, leading by example and sharing best practice, particularly through its role as a partner in Renaissance London.

The role

Trustees have an important role as representatives of the museum, enhancing its public profile and helping to ensure support and funding from both public and private sector sources.  They also contribute their expertise and experience in advising on policy and development, and supporting the Director and senior staff to whom operational management is delegated. 

The museum’s strategic aims and objectives are set out in the Corporate Plan.  The priorities over the next three years are linked by the aim to make the collections and resources more accessible to a wider audience.
  
The Person
The successful candidates will

  • be enthusiastic about the Geffrye and its purposes and be committed to its values as a charity and public sector organisation
  • have an understanding of the public policy context and the activities of the Geffrye Museum, and a commitment to the museums’  goals
  • have experience of strategic decision making or the ability to acquire it
  • have excellent communications and representational skills

For this appointment, in order to keep a balance of relevant skills across Board members, we are keen to attract people with particular experience in one or more of the following areas:

  • planning, architecture, development or project management, relating to plans for the new Library and Learning Centre
  • fundraising, PR and advocacy in the corporate and charitable funding sectors for museums and the arts
  • academia, with an interest in the history of the home


How to apply

Further details and an application form are available electronically or in hard copy. Please contact:

Mandy Williams
Clerk to the Trustees
The Geffrye Museum
Kingsland Road
London
E2 8EA

Tel: 020 7739 9893

Email:  mwilliams@geffrye-museum.org.uk     

DCMS promotes an equal opportunities policy. Appointments are made on merit, following a fair and transparent process, and these appointments are regulated by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments.  Applications are welcomed regardless of gender, age, marital status, disability, religion, ethnic origin, political opinion, sexual orientation or whether or not you have dependants.

Closing date
Completed forms should be received by 3 September 2008

Interviews
Interviews are expected to be held 18 September 2008

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