Diversify
Increasing the accessibility of museums careers to people from ethnic
minorities
Imperial War Museum North Traineeship Description
Title:
Museum Trainee
The Museums Association Diversify programme aims to address
areas where black and ethnic minority individuals are underrepresented in the museum workforce. This 5 month traineeship is
offered to Black and Minority Ethnic people only (Section 37 (1) of
the Race Relations Act 1976 applies).
Diversify is funded by Renaissance, the Museums, Libraries and
Archives Partnership’s regional museums programme
Duration:
5 months
This is a training opportunity and does not represent employment.
There will be no offer of a permanent job at the end of the
traineeship.
Training allowance:
£5,000 non-taxed bursary
Hours per day:
The placement can be taken full or part-time. The trainee will be
based in the host museum for 5 – 7 hours per day.
Location:
Imperial War Museum North
1.0
Background of the Traineeship
People from ethnic minorities are underrepresented in the museum and gallery
workforce. As part of the Renaissance programme, Imperial War Museum North is
offering a 5 month positive-action entry-level traineeship.
The successful applicant will have the opportunity to:

Undertake a masters in museum studies at the University of Leicester’s
Department of Museum Studies either full-time or on the Distance Learning
programme




2.0
Gain training and experience in the museum over 5 months supported by a
training bursary
Participate in the planning and/or delivery of a significant project as part of their
training
Undertake a training programme tailored to their needs, which will include an
introduction to the museum sector and the development of museum skills
Receive professional development benefits from the Museums Association
including membership and attendance at its Annual Conference and seminars
Potential projects
The Trainee will have the opportunity to train in one or more of the following areas
depending on their interests:
 Development of a new TimeStack tray
TimeStacks are trays of themed objects in the Main Exhibition Space. They work both
as a display for visitors to explore independently as part of a gallery visit and as a
resource for staff-led object handling sessions with schools and visitors of all ages.
The project would involve researching and developing content for a new tray,
including sourcing objects from within the Museum’s collection or from the local
community, writing text and finalising the display.
 Researching the collection and developing a new Studio Talk
The nature of the Studio Talk will depend on the Trainee’s interests and on the
anniversaries to the time of the placement. For example, in the Autumn of 2009 we
will be focusing on the anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, whilst in January the
Museum commemorates Holocaust Memorial Day. The placement project will involve
researching the Museum’s collections to source images, film, handling objects and
other relevant material to support an illustrated talk as part of the Museum’s visitor
programme. The body of research will need to be prepared and then cascaded to the
Museum’s Interactor team who deliver the programme of talks.
As the Museum has not yet completed Corporate Planning for 2009-2010 other
projects may become available. The above projects give an idea of ongoing work, but
there may be additional opportunities available.
If you would like to discuss any of the projects outlined above please contact Charlotte Smith,
Head of Learning and Access on 0161 836 4060, cesmith@iwm.org.uk