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Trustee of The Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum
Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum
Region: Scotland
Salary / Fee: From £0 to £0 No salary
Job Type: Volunteer
Closing Date:30/6/26
Link / Contact details to apply
www.smithmuseum.scot
Become a Trustee of The Smith Art Gallery & Museum Trust
The Smith Art Gallery and Museum Trust are seeking new trustees to join its Board of Trustees. The Trust is an independent registered charity in Scotland (Charity No. SC16162) providing a civic museum service for Stirlingshire.
The Smith Art Gallery and Museum (The Smith) is about to embark on an ambitious redevelopment project to take the museum into a new phase. This will involve developing our building, displays, collections, and audiences to create a modern and welcoming museum for Stirling.
Collaborating with professional consultants, we will seek substantial funding from bodies such as the National Lottery Heritage Fund to deliver this work. This will be a transformational project for the museum and will require significant input from the Board of Trustees over the coming years.
Role
Trustees at The Smith play an active role in the development and oversight of the Museum’s activities, working closely with our employees.
General Responsibilities
The role of a Charity Trustee carries general responsibilities which may be summarised as:
* Setting the strategic direction of the museum and monitoring its performance.
* Ensuring that the museum complies with its constitution and all applicable legislation and regulations.
* Ensuring the museum follows its stated purpose as set out in its constitution.
* Ensuring that the museum applies its resources exclusively for its purpose.
* Ensuring the financial stability of the museum.
* Ensuring the effective and efficient administration of the museum.
* Protecting and managing the assets of the museum.
* Contributing to the formulation of policy and overseeing its implementation.
* Function as an ambassador for the museum, promoting its mission and values.
Specific Responsibilities (collective)
* Monitoring performance against the Museum Business Plan.
* Approving annual budgets and monitoring progress against them.
* Contributing to and approving the annual report and accounts.
* Appointing Directors and monitoring their performance.
* Safeguarding the good name and ethos of The Smith.
Individual Responsibilities
* Attending and playing an active part in the trustees’ meetings.
* Exercising due care and attention and using reasonable skill in dealing with the Smith’s affairs.
* Using knowledge and experience to help the trustees reach sound decisions.
* Taking the lead in activities where the trustee has specific knowledge.
* Avoiding unauthorised conflict of interests.
* Sitting on and chairing committees as required.
We are seeking new trustees to strengthen our capacity to support this work, as well as to replace recent departures from the Board. For the four available roles, we are looking for the following skill sets:
Financial Management and Accounting
We are seeking a qualified accountant to replace our previous Finance Trustee. The role involves working closely with the Director to support the preparation and management of annual budgets, and to provide financial oversight of major project work. The Finance Trustee will also work with the Director to produce quarterly reports alongside management accounts, and provide proactive support and problem‑solving as required. The ideal candidate will have experience as a senior accountant within a charity and/or small business environment and will be familiar with working with auditors and regulatory bodies.
Commercial/retail
We are particularly looking for someone with commercial or retail experience who can help strengthen the museum’s income and visitor offer. This includes supporting income‑generating activities such as the shop, online sales, and overall visitor experience. The Trustee will provide advice on pricing, product range, merchandising, and sales performance, while also contributing to longer‑term planning to ensure the museum’s financial sustainability and growth.
Marketing, Social Media and PR
We are seeking an experienced professional to support the Museum across marketing, public relations, and social media. The role will also involve working with the Trustee responsible for audience development to develop innovative approaches and programmes that broaden the Museum’s appeal to wider and more diverse audiences. The ideal candidate will be fully up to date with current communication and engagement techniques and will ideally have experience in the heritage or leisure sectors.
This role is to provide support across the organisation, and particularly to the Director and the Curator, bringing extensive museum sector experience to the ongoing development of the Museum. As such, the brief is wide‑ranging, but is likely to have, as a particular focus on the redevelopment project. The ideal candidate will have considerable experience in the sector, preferable working in a museum that has undertaken a major development project.
Who We Are Looking For
Overall, we are looking for enthusiastic individuals who are willing and able to take an active role in delivering our ambitious goals. Candidates should have strong local networks, as well as a demonstrable interest in the arts, museums, and heritage.
We are also committed to broadening the diversity of our Board. We welcome applications from people from all sectors of the community, and we are particularly keen to hear from individuals from backgrounds currently underrepresented on the Board, including people who have been minoritised due to their race and/or ethnicity, people from the LGBTQ+ community, disabled people, and people under the age of 45.
For the right candidates, this is an exciting opportunity to join us at a key moment in the museum’s development and help shape its future over the coming years.
We would be delighted to hear from you.
Please Email your CV and one page cover letter, outlining your relevant skills and experience to [emailprotected]
Further Information
Quarterly in‑person Board meetings which include Trustees and key staff members. Additional meetings may be in person or online between quarters if required.
Meetings take place in the evening at The Stirling Smith Art Gallery & Museum. Appointments are initially for a three‑year term, with the option to renew.
Remuneration
This is a voluntary role; however, reimbursement can be made for reasonable out of pocket expenses where agreed.
Organisational Structure
Board of Trustees
Provides strategic oversight, governance, and ensures the museum delivers its charitable objectives.
* Director (FT)
Responsible for the overall leadership, management, and delivery of the museum’s strategy and operations.
* Assistant Director (PT)
Supports the Director in operational delivery, planning, and coordination across teams and activities.
* Curator (PT)
Leads on collections, and supports exhibitions, interpretation, and programming.
* Administrator (PT)
Manages administration, finance support, HR processes, and day‑to‑day office operations.
* Front of House Staff (Supply Contract Pool)
Deliver visitor welcome, customer service, and on‑site support to ensure a positive visitor experience.
Background of The Stirling Smith art Gallery & Museum
The Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum, affectionately known as The Smith and formerly The Smith Institute – has played a special part in the history of Stirling since its foundation in 1874. Established by the bequest of artist Thomas Stuart Smith (1815‑1869) on land supplied by the Burgh of Stirling, it is an historic public‑private partnership which has continued to the present day.
Today, it functions as a gallery, museum, and cultural centre for the Stirling area. It is the repository for the historical artefacts and paintings of Stirlingshire, at the same time offering exhibition opportunities for contemporary artists. Over twenty community groups meet regularly in its lecture theatre, and a café and biodiversity garden are among its attractions.
We are a registered Scottish charity. (SCO 16162).
The Stirling Smith Art Gallery & Museum, 40 Albert Place, Dumbarton Road, Stirling, FK8 2RQ.
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