Opportunity for 17 to 30's: Join our Collections & Acquisition Committee
Posted on 04 March 2024Towner are looking for young people aged 17 to 30 to become part of our new pilot Collections & Acquisitions Committee, to give valuable input into decision-making processes for collection development alongside being able to develop new skills.
Commencing in April 2024, the committee will include 8-10 members, alongside 3 Towner staff, 2 Towner Trustees and 2 external sector colleagues/curators. Membership will be for an initial two years.
The aim of the committee is to increase accessibility to Towner’s collection through opening up the process by which works are acquired. We aim to give the committee a chance to say which works are collected from now on. Additionally, we want you to help us fulfil our commitment to furthering the diversity of our collection within the themes of our collection policy. We hope to create a collaborative environment and continue the legacy of Towner’s founding ethos to be ‘an art gallery for the people’.
The permanent collection is at the heart of what we do, and its development and expansion is crucial to delivering Towner’s strategic priorities. These include growing the number and diversity of our audiences, building the gallery’s profile, and increasing funding from a wide range of sources.
Joining the committee will give you the opportunity to discover more about relationships with collection artists, how and where artworks are purchased and an understanding of how works are selected. Find out more about our collection here.
The role of the Collections & Acquisitions Committee is to:
- research and bring suggestions of artists to be considered for acquisition.
- stay up to date with exhibitions, artists and good practice especially in areas around collections, art & landscape/environment etc.
- support the acquisition process of selected artists and their work, including written funding applications
- act as an advisory group for the content and interpretation for Collection exhibitions.
FAQS
- What is an Acquisitions and Collections Committee?
A selected group of people who meet to discuss and determine works of art that should be collected by a gallery - What does acquisition and collection mean?
An acquisition is an object that is bought by, or gifted to, a museum or gallery. A collection is a group of artworks owned by a public or private organisation or an individual. A collection usually has a theme that unites it, rather than being made up of unrelated items. (check out our glossary here) - How do I get involved?
Please fill in this online form, (applications are now closed) detailing what you hope to gain from being on the committee, and ideas for the collection. If you would like to supply this in the form of audio or video, then you can do so on the form. If you have any questions about applying or for further support, please email hollie.douglas@townereastbourne.org.uk - Do I need previous experience?
Whilst it's not necessary to have previous experience of being on a committee or working within a gallery, we would like you to have an interest in the pursuits and outcomes of the committee. - How much time do I have to commit?
We are looking for people to commit to posts for 2 years, over which there will be 4 meetings a year that you will have to attend. Each meeting will be approximately 2 hours long. In addition, there may be trips or artist studio visits organised over the period. - Where will the meetings be held?
Committee meetings will be held in person at Towner. However, in specific circumstances, members will be allowed to join remotely via Zoom or Teams. - When will the committee start meeting?
The first meeting will be held towards the end of April. - How am I compensated?
This role is unpaid, but we will provide a stipend and cover travel expenses. - Is there a criteria for applying?
Not really, but we want to increase the voices of young people within the 17 to 30 age range in our organisation, especially those local to Towner and Eastbourne. - Is there a deadline for applying?
The first committee meeting will be held in mid-May, so we would encourage you to get your application in as soon as possible.