Heritage Associates Programme
Heritage Associates Programme – Call for Applications
Job Title: Heritage Associate
Location: Spalding, Lincolnshire
Terms: FT or PT, 6 weeks, fixed-term; freelance basis
Remuneration: Stipend of £405/wk (FT; pro-rata PT) plus accommodation and travel allowance
About Us
Spalding Gentlemen’s Society (SGS) is Britain’s oldest provincial learned society; its museum is the country’s second oldest, after the Ashmolean. The museum, library and archive holdings are global in nature, reflecting the society’s 300-year history. The ‘Original Collection’ of artefacts, specimens, artworks, books and manuscripts acquired between the Society’s foundation in 1710 and its second constitution in 1814 is an Arts Council England Designated Outstanding Collection of national and international significance.
SGS has expanded its operations rapidly in the past decade. We maintain a regular programme of exhibitions, public programming, education, member events, conservation and digitisation. We are now embarking on an ambitious period of capital development. This year will see us temporarily relocate from our Edwardian museum to enable much-needed repair and refurbishment. During this period, we will develop our exhibitions through a co-location in the historic Ayscoughfee Hall Museum; operate our programming at a range of locations throughout Spalding; and expand our conservation and digitisation work in dedicated spaces. After returning to our home in 2026, we will embark on the next phase: extending our site to provide a regional centre for exhibition, conservation, research and community events.
About the Programme
SGS has secured funding from the South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership (SELCP) Arts Council NPO to enable us to run the Heritage Associates Programme, a first-of-its-kind scheme in the region. Heritage Associates will have regular opportunities to learn about the work of the NPO, including through working with staff at Ayscoughfee Hall Museum, the NPO Cultural Hub in Spalding.
About the Role
Heritage Associates will join SGS at a key moment in its history, and will play an important, hands-on role in its activities. Associates will work with SGS staff and volunteers to manage and conserve the collections; establish new galleries at Ayscoughfee Hall Museum (AHM) as part of our temporary co-location; and catalogue, digitise, research, exhibit and produce programming related to the Original Collection.
Two HAs will join the project in Spring 2025. At the start of their Associateship, HAs will work alongside SGS and AHM staff and volunteers in core areas of operation: front of house; public engagement; collections care and conservation; digitisation; research; and curatorial. This immersive training period will enable HAs to understand SGS and its collaboration with AHM, understand the operations of an independent and a local authority museum, and gain a greater understanding of the Original Collection. HAs will participate in an induction and receive ongoing group and one-to-one mentoring from the Programme Director, Peer Mentor and Professional Mentor. They will also receive training from the Project Director, Peer Mentor, Project Conservator, and members of the SGS curatorial and engagement teams.
In conversation with the Programme Director, Peer Mentor and Professional Mentor, HAs will choose a specific project linked to the SGS Original Collection. They will develop this project for an average of one to two days each week; for the remainder of their time HAs will support SGS and AHM in their wider programmes of work.
The Heritage Associates Programme is designed for those who are seeking entry into the heritage sector (broadly defined), or for those who may be considering further study and/or a career change.
HAs will receive a stipend of £405 per 35-hour, full-time week (or pro-rata part-time equivalent); a travel allowance of £100; and free on-site accommodation (a single room in a shared house) for the duration of the Associateship. HAs may take up their associateships either full-time (35 hours over 5 days/wk), with flexibility for working days and/or part-time arrangements subject to project needs and consultation with the HAP Director and Mentors.
The indicative dates are as follows:
3 February – 16 March 2025 (6 weeks)
Responsibilities
Heritage Associates will:
· Participate in induction and training in a range of areas of museum operation;
· Support SGS staff and volunteers, and AHM staff, in tasks including front of house, public engagement, collections care and conservation, digitisation, research, and/or curatorial work, as needed;
· Engage fully in group and one-to-one mentoring;
· Treat all HAs, staff, volunteers and members of the public with professionalism and according to best practice as appropriate to the task being undertaken;
· Commit to their own professional development and reflective practice throughout their Associateship.
Person Specification
| Requirements | Essential/Desirable |
| Relevant experience in a discipline related to cultural heritage and/or collections; or enrolled in or completed an equivalent degree | Essential |
| Demonstrable interest in a career in museums, libraries and/or archives | Essential |
| Strong attention to detail | Essential |
| Ability to work independently and as part of a team with people of various ages and backgrounds | Essential |
| Good problem-solving ability | Essential |
| Experience volunteering in a cultural heritage related organisation or setting | Desirable |
| Good IT skills and experience working with Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, Powerpoint) | Desirable |
| Some knowledge or experience of collections databases (e.g., MODES, etc.) | Desirable |
| Awareness of collections care standards such as SPECTRUM (or equivalent for libraries, archives or other fields) | Desirable |
Accessibility Note
While we will make every effort to make Heritage Associateships as accessible as possible, the age of the SGS museum building and the nature of many of the planned tasks require an ability to climb a flight of stairs and to carry objects and boxes of modest size and weight. The provided accommodation is in a 19th-century cottage with bedrooms and bathroom on the first and second floors.
If you would like to discuss these arrangements prior to making an application, please contact us for an informal chat.
To Apply
We welcome enquiries from potential applicants who may wish to learn more or discuss their application. For an informal conversation, please contact us via email or phone the HAP Peer Mentor, Eleanor Chadd:
To apply for a Heritage Associateship, please submit via email to Eleanor.Chadd@sgsoc.org:
1. A covering letter of not more than 2 pages, setting out:
-How you match the Person Specification,
-Your motivation for applying,
-What you hope to gain from the Associateship,
-Your preferred Round(s),
-Any restrictions on your ability to commit to a full-time Associateship
2. A CV that includes details of 2 references, at least one of whom should be able to comment on your knowledge and/or experience relevant to the role
Deadline
Deadline for receipt of completed applications is Friday, January 3rd at 12pm (noon).
Interviews are currently scheduled for Friday, January 17th and Saturday, January 18th. Interviews may be held in person on site, or via Zoom.
