Job opportunity
June 3 2014
Picture: National Gallery
The National Gallery in London is looking for a new trustee. Here's what they're looking for:
Applicants should have a love of paintings and share the Gallery's commitment to making its great collection freely accessible to the widest possible audience. Applicants will also be able to demonstrate excellent judgement and an ability to deal with strategic issues facing the Gallery, good communication skills and a commitment to support the Gallery's fundraising activities.
In addition, for this vacancy, at least one of the following attributes is desirable:
- Senior academic experience, ideally an international standing and the ability to assist the Gallery with plans for developing a research centre or
- Senior financial experience and the ability to assist the Gallery with plans for developing self-generated income.
Perks include one of the best there is; the 'freedom of the gallery', to go round any time you like, day or night, 365 days of the year. A long time ago, I once went to a posh dinner party in Pimlico, hosted by a trustee. At the end, at about 11 o'clock, he suddenly sprung up and said, let's go round the gallery. So off we trooped, and as the lights flicked on we gawped around on a private tour of wonders. It was unforgettable, and is one of the reasons I do what I do today. After a few rooms the sole of my left shoe began to come off (I was a student) and disturbed the sanctified peace with a disconcerting 'flip-flap'. Embarrassed, I had the idea of sticking it back together with some chewing gum I had in my pocket. After furiously chewing up what I thought was a good-sized ball of temporary glue, I dropped back behind our group and applied it liberally between the upper and lower soles of my shoe (I think it was in front of Holbein's Ambassadors). Unfortunately, I'd only made matters worse, for as I walked on the gum began to seep out, sticking to the floor. I spent the rest of the evening desperately trying to wipe sweet-smelling secretions of Wrigleys from the edge of my foot.
Applications for the trusteeship close on 6th June, and you can find more details here. To my surprise, DCMS asked if I would be part of the interview panel. But I couldn't make the dates work, so I'll miss what would have been an interesting experience. Good luck if you apply.
