Heritage Collections Officer
| Dyddiad hysbysebu: | 23 Medi 2025 |
|---|---|
| Cyflog: | £25,037 bob blwyddyn, pro rata |
| Oriau: | Rhan Amser |
| Dyddiad cau: | 23 Hydref 2025 |
| Lleoliad: | LE1 6AT |
| Gweithio o bell: | Ar y safle yn unig |
| Cwmni: | Serendipity Institute for Black Arts and Heritage |
| Math o swydd: | Parhaol |
| Cyfeirnod swydd: |
Crynodeb
About Us
Serendipity Institute for Black Arts and Heritage is an internationally connected arts and heritage organisation that actively changes the UK’s creative and cultural landscape. We deliver high-quality, innovative programmes that centre perspectives from the African and African Caribbean Diaspora.
Our work includes Black History Month Leicester, the Annual Windrush Day Lecture and the flagship international dance festival, Let’s Dance International Frontiers. Serendipity has established a growing living archive documenting Black arts, heritage and culture, capturing the voices of practitioners and community activists, nurturing artists, and mentoring young people.
Building on over 15 years of heritage projects, including Lost Legends and Archiving the Past: Reflecting the Future, our current three-year initiative Unearthed: Forgotten Histories, supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, continues this legacy by amplifying hidden histories through a digital living archive, exhibitions, educational resources, and public engagement.
Role Purpose
The Heritage Collections Officer will play a vital role in preserving, managing, and interpreting Serendipity’s growing heritage collections. The postholder will ensure that materials are documented, catalogued, and cared for to the highest professional standards, while also making the collections accessible and engaging to diverse audiences.
This role requires a balance of technical knowledge in collections management and creativity in interpretation, with a strong commitment to inclusive practice and community engagement.
Key Responsibilities
Collections Management and Care
Maintain and apply professional standards for collections care and documentation (e.g., Spectrum, ARA, Museums Association).
Catalogue, document, and organise physical collections to ensure accurate records and accessibility.
Oversee conservation principles, storage needs, and handling practices for heritage materials.
Interpretation and Engagement
Develop exhibitions, displays, resources, and events that showcase collections and make them accessible to a wide range of audiences.
Conduct research and produce high-quality interpretative content that brings archival material to life.
Work collaboratively to integrate collections into Serendipity’s programmes, publications, and digital platforms.
Community and Inclusive Practice
Engage with diverse communities to encourage participation and ownership of heritage.
Ensure inclusive practice is embedded in all aspects of collections care and interpretation.
Collaboration and Communication
Work closely with the Heritage Manager and wider Serendipity team to deliver shared goals.
Build partnerships across the heritage, cultural, and academic sectors.
Communicate effectively with colleagues, stakeholders, and the public.
Key Skills and Experience
Knowledge of professional standards for collections care and management (e.g., Spectrum, ARA, Museums Association).
Experience in cataloguing, documenting, and organising physical collections.
Awareness of conservation principles, storage needs, and handling practices for heritage materials.
Ability to interpret collections for a wide range of audiences through exhibitions, resources, or events.
Strong research and writing skills, with the ability to bring archival material to life.
Experience of working with diverse communities and a commitment to inclusive practice.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate across teams and sectors.
Serendipity Institute for Black Arts and Heritage is an internationally connected arts and heritage organisation that actively changes the UK’s creative and cultural landscape. We deliver high-quality, innovative programmes that centre perspectives from the African and African Caribbean Diaspora.
Our work includes Black History Month Leicester, the Annual Windrush Day Lecture and the flagship international dance festival, Let’s Dance International Frontiers. Serendipity has established a growing living archive documenting Black arts, heritage and culture, capturing the voices of practitioners and community activists, nurturing artists, and mentoring young people.
Building on over 15 years of heritage projects, including Lost Legends and Archiving the Past: Reflecting the Future, our current three-year initiative Unearthed: Forgotten Histories, supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, continues this legacy by amplifying hidden histories through a digital living archive, exhibitions, educational resources, and public engagement.
Role Purpose
The Heritage Collections Officer will play a vital role in preserving, managing, and interpreting Serendipity’s growing heritage collections. The postholder will ensure that materials are documented, catalogued, and cared for to the highest professional standards, while also making the collections accessible and engaging to diverse audiences.
This role requires a balance of technical knowledge in collections management and creativity in interpretation, with a strong commitment to inclusive practice and community engagement.
Key Responsibilities
Collections Management and Care
Maintain and apply professional standards for collections care and documentation (e.g., Spectrum, ARA, Museums Association).
Catalogue, document, and organise physical collections to ensure accurate records and accessibility.
Oversee conservation principles, storage needs, and handling practices for heritage materials.
Interpretation and Engagement
Develop exhibitions, displays, resources, and events that showcase collections and make them accessible to a wide range of audiences.
Conduct research and produce high-quality interpretative content that brings archival material to life.
Work collaboratively to integrate collections into Serendipity’s programmes, publications, and digital platforms.
Community and Inclusive Practice
Engage with diverse communities to encourage participation and ownership of heritage.
Ensure inclusive practice is embedded in all aspects of collections care and interpretation.
Collaboration and Communication
Work closely with the Heritage Manager and wider Serendipity team to deliver shared goals.
Build partnerships across the heritage, cultural, and academic sectors.
Communicate effectively with colleagues, stakeholders, and the public.
Key Skills and Experience
Knowledge of professional standards for collections care and management (e.g., Spectrum, ARA, Museums Association).
Experience in cataloguing, documenting, and organising physical collections.
Awareness of conservation principles, storage needs, and handling practices for heritage materials.
Ability to interpret collections for a wide range of audiences through exhibitions, resources, or events.
Strong research and writing skills, with the ability to bring archival material to life.
Experience of working with diverse communities and a commitment to inclusive practice.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate across teams and sectors.