Recognition Committee Members

The Recognition Committee is seeking to appoint three new Committee members.

Closing Date: Monday 20th March 2026 at 12 noon.

About the Recognition Committee

The Recognition Scheme plays an important role in supporting Scotland’s museums and
galleries to care for, share and sustain collections of national significance that are held
outside the national institutions. These collections are deeply rooted in communities
across the country and contribute to our understanding of Scotland’s culture, history
and place in the world.

The Recognition Committee exists to ensure that the Scheme is applied with care,
fairness and integrity. Committee members are entrusted with making
considered decisions about Recognised status, providing assurance to the Scottish
Government, and offering strategic advice on how the Scheme can continue to serve
the sector well in a changing environment.

Following a period of review and renewal, the Recognition Scheme has entered a new
phase. The Committee is now focused not only on assessing applications and reviews,
but also on supporting the longer-term development of the Scheme. This includes
thinking carefully about organisational sustainability, public value, access and
engagement, and the responsibilities that come with caring for nationally significant
collections.

Candidate information

We are seeking to appoint three new Committee members who can contribute
effectively to the work of the Recognition Committee.

Applicants must be able to demonstrate:

• Experience of contributing to boards, committees or senior advisory groups.
• An ability to analyse complex material and evidence to reach sound and balanced
  conclusions.
• A strong understanding of the value and potential of museum and gallery
  collections, and an appreciation of good practice in collections development, care,
  management or research.
• An understanding of the public sector or arm’s length body context, and of the
  policy environment in which museums in Scotland operate.
• The ability and willingness to represent and advocate for a national scheme with
  professionalism and integrity.

In addition to these core requirements, we are particularly keen to hear from
applicants who bring experience in one or more of the following areas, reflecting the
current and future needs of the Committee:

• Strategic collections care, conservation or collections management.
• Organisational sustainability, governance, finance or business planning.
• Public engagement, access, learning or social impact.
• Digital collections, research access or data.
• Experience of museum practice outside the central belt and/or from
  underrepresented collection types.

How to apply

The closing date for applications is Monday 20th March 2026 at 12 noon.

To apply, please read the candidate pack and complete the application form. Submit it by email to Rachael Brewer, Executive Assistant, at rachaelb@museumsgalleriesscotland.org.uk.

If you have any access requirements or would prefer to submit your application in an alternative format, such as video or audio, please let us know. We are happy to discuss adjustments to support applicants to apply and demonstrate their skills and potential effectively.

If you would like an informal conversation about the role before applying, please
contact Jacob O’Sullivan, Museum Development Manager at Museums Galleries
Scotland, JacobOS@museumsgalleriesscotland.org.uk.  Jacob will be happy to answer initial questions about the Committee, its work and the application process.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to take part in an online discussion, held via
Microsoft Teams, during the week commencing 20th April 2026.