AIM, the Association for Independent Museums, are currently seeking two accredited conservators to join its pool of grant panel members.
Are you an accredited conservator with experience and expertise in conservation and collections care?
Would you like the opportunity to support the future of collections focused projects in independent museums?
Do you have the experience to provide insight and constructive feedback to applicants when considering grant applications put forward by small and medium museums?
AIM are seeking conservators to work with them to read, score and provide feedback on the two collections focused grants we offer in the spring and autumn each year.
What You’ll Do
- Review and assess funding applications from inspiring projects from small and medium museums.
- Share your insights to help select projects that will have the greatest impact.
- Contribute to fair, transparent, and inclusive decision-making as part of a team of 4 to 6 panel members.
What We’re Looking For
- Two accredited conservators with experience of preventive conservation and collections care alongside a remedial conservation specialism.
- Good judgement and the ability to weigh up different perspectives.
- An understanding of the needs of small and often volunteer-led museums.
- Experience of the museum accreditation standard is desirable but not essential.
Time Commitment
We expect the commitment to take 1.5 days per round, or 3 working days/24hrs per year.
The grant panel convenes twice a year in the spring and autumn, over three meetings per round; to consider applications to the Pilgrim Trust funded Collection Care Audits, and the AIM Museum Fundamentals grant, funded by the Pilgrim Trust and Julia Rausing Trust.
The Grants:
Please find further information on the collections care and conservation grants on our website.
- Collections Care and Conservation Grants - AIM - Association of Independent Museums
- Museum Fundamentals - AIM - Association of Independent Museums
Further Information
For further information please contact Fiona Woolley AIM Programmes and Grants Officer at [email protected] and I would be happy to arrange an informal discussion.
Why join?
- Play a key role in supporting change making projects in small and medium museums.
- Gain valuable experience in grant-making practice.
- Be part of a friendly, supportive panel of museum and conservation professionals.
- Be involved with supporting museums grow and develop their conservation expertise.
- Gain insight on the needs and problems seen within the independent museum sector and help decide on grant making activity that makes a valuable difference to the wellbeing of both the staff, volunteers and the collections that the applicant museum holds.
How to Apply
If you are interested in joining our grant panel this autumn, please provide a brief biography and an outline of your relevant skills and experience (no more than 1 side of A4 and send to AIM’s Programme and Grants Officer, Fiona Woolley at [email protected] by Friday 31 July 2026.
Renumeration
Panel members are paid up to £650 per day for their time preparing for and taking part in the panel meetings and decision making discussion.
