Community Heritage Leader Trainee
Host Organisation: Museums & Galleries Edinburgh
Location: Edinburgh – City Art Centre, Travelling Gallery (including touring across Scotland), community venues, and remote
Duration: 14-month paid placement
Bursary: £19,796 (tax-free, with potential increase per MA guidelines)
Application Deadline: Deadline 23rd June 2026
Eligibility: Open to applicants from Black, Asian or other minority ethnic group
Are you from a Black, Asian or other minority ethnic group and passionate about museums, culture, and community engagement?
This exciting 14-month opportunity with Museums & Galleries Edinburgh offers a unique chance to developing your knowledge of working in museums and galleries, gain hands-on experience, and shape inclusive cultural experiences across the city and Scotland.
What You’ll Gain
– A 14-month paid placement with the City of Edinburgh Council’s museum service.
– An SVQ Level 3 in Museums & Galleries Practice https://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/74396.html – Practical experience in curation and exhibition planning & delivery, public programming, community engagement, learning delivery, visitor experience, and collections care.
– Personal development in leadership, communication, and project delivery.
– Opportunities to lead and design public displays & programmes and cultural outreach projects.
About Museums & Galleries Edinburgh
Museums & Galleries Edinburgh is a vibrant, citywide service with multiple venues including the City Art Centre, one of Scotland’s leading visual art spaces and home to the City of Edinburgh’s Fine Art Collection, and the Travelling Gallery, Scotland’s contemporary art gallery in a bus, taking exhibitions to communities across Scotland. Museums & Galleries Edinburgh is committed to inclusion, wellbeing, and community participation, making culture more accessible to all.
What You’ll Do
As a Trainee, you will:
– Work closely with the Curator, City Art Centre and the Curator of the Travelling Gallery on a range of exhibition displays and public programmes.
– Support audience development and accessible visitor experience across both public facing & digital platforms.
– Help deliver engagement sessions and develop learning materials.
– Build relationships with diverse communities across Edinburgh and Scotland.
– Shadow museum and gallery staff and progress toward independently leading projects and events.
– Gain insight into visitor services, museum operations, and collections work.
– Work flexibly across venues, in communities, and occasionally from home.
Who We’re Looking For
This role is ideal for someone who:
– Has 2–3 years of work experience (any field)
– Is enthusiastic about visual art, museums, learning, and inclusive heritage
– Wants to gain new skills and contribute to cultural change
– Has strong communication and interpersonal abilities
– Is comfortable working independently and as part of a team
– Is open to learning, feedback, and adapting to diverse audiences
You Might Also Have:
– Experience working with youth groups, schools, or equalities organisations
– Interest in decolonising museums or improving cultural access
– Experience in community co-production, evaluation, or engagement
– Social media, marketing and audience development
– Confidence in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Teams) and a willingness to learn new tools
We Encourage You to Apply If You:
– Are from a Black, Asian or other minority ethnic group and want to bring a fresh perspective to the arts & heritage sector
– Have lived experience of inequality or barriers to cultural participation
– Don’t have a formal museum background but have the passion and commitment to learn
We Welcome Your Application
This opportunity is ideal for individuals from underrepresented or marginalised communities, including those with lived experience of racism, migration, or social exclusion. You do not need a university degree to apply.
How to Apply
Complete an application form and send it with a covering letter to ibrahim@nextstepinitiative.org.uk.
Download Application Form