A partnership has been agreed between Horsham District Council’s Museum and Art Gallery and Collyer’s Sixth Form College to support early career development in the heritage sector.
Recognising that career path opportunities for young people in the heritage sector are traditionally difficult to access, the Council’s Museum and Art Gallery has entered into a formal partnership with the Sixth Form, engaging particularly with students of the College.
It is intended that the Partnership will help students to benefit from practical work experience placement opportunities, curator presentations and skills development to curate their own standalone exhibitions.
Commenting on the partnership, Horsham District Council Cabinet Member for Leisure, Culture and Green Spaces Cllr Jon Olson said:
We look forward to this new partnership offering Collyer’s students future career development while providing an outlet for their own creativity and ingenuity, as they build their knowledge and enthusiasm for all things local heritage.
“We hope students will take great inspiration from our iconic Museum and Art Gallery as they delve into our District’s rich history and heritage and learn from its talented staff. This new opportunity may prove to be a springboard for an exciting future career in the heritage sector.”
Head of History at Collyer’s College Lucy MacDonald added:
“Gaining experience and volunteering in the heritage sector is crucial for obtaining an entry- level heritage job. This exciting new partnership is a fantastic opportunity for our students to gain invaluable experience in the field and will hopefully be the start of their fulfilling careers in the sector.
“In addition to this, this collaboration will help our students to discover more about their own local history, using their talents and creativity to contribute to the Museum's collections and will also enable them to uncover more of the rich history of Collyer's' , a key sight in the Museum's Heritage Trail, as we move ever closer to our quincentenary celebrations.”