Join the Engage Scotland Development Group

The Engage Scotland Development Group (ESDG) operates as a voluntary steering group for the work of Engage in Scotland, influencing programming, supporting the Engage Scotland Coordinator’s role, representing the organisation and offering their experience and skills. 

Traditionally the ESDG has operated with three Area Reps who cover the very broad geographical areas of Glasgow and the West, Edinburgh and the East, and the Highlands and Islands. Area Reps are also members of the Engage Council. In addition to Area Reps the group has up to four voluntary or co-opted members. 

We currently have a vacancy for an Area Rep for Highlands and Islands/member of Engage Council.

This is an opportunity for an experienced visual arts/gallery education professional to be part of a lively group working to raise the profile of gallery education and visual arts Engagement in Scotland.

Current and previous members of the Development Group have enjoyed opportunities to further their own continuing professional development through helping to shape Engage Scotland projects such as the Celebrate ART project and advise on programming of training events and conferences, including this year’s Engage International Conference in Newcastle in November 2019. Group members value the opportunity to visit other gallery venues and to network and share with colleagues within the ESDG.

All travel expenses for attending meetings, including Council meetings in England, are met. We welcome applications from colleagues working in visual arts organisations/galleries and from freelancers and will be able to pay travel expenses and a small fee for freelancers to attend meetings. You are welcome to attend a meeting before deciding to join the group.

As an Area Rep for Engage you will:

• Attend four ESDG meetings a year — these are usually half-day meetings, often in Edinburgh and Glasgow, occasionally further afield.
• Provide support for the Engage Scotland Coordinator — usually through regular phone and email contact.
• Represent Engage and help with the planning of events.
• Comment and respond to papers as required.
• Attend Engage Council meetings which take place three times a year, usually in England. These meetings are an opportunity to discuss the organisation’s policies and programmes, as well as hear speakers on agreed topics that are relevant to the sector and gallery education practice.

The benefits of being an Area Rep include:

• An opportunity to input into the work of Engage
• Being part of a network of peers involved in gallery education in the UK
• Attending conferences and events for Engage

The benefits of becoming a Council member include:

• 20% discount on conferences and training seminars in the UK organised by Engage centrally
• The opportunity to input into national gallery education policy and strategy
• Being part of a network of key people involved in gallery education in the UK
• Advice and guidance on accessing key organisations in the UK and other countries
• The chance to network with colleagues and form partnerships locally and nationally

Current members of ESDG are:

Area Reps

• Tracy Morgan, Community Engagement Manager, Fruitmarket Gallery, Edinburgh — (Area Rep for Edinburgh and the East)
• Holly Rumble, Freelance, (Area Rep for Glasgow and the West)

Voluntary Members

• Lee McCulley, Adult Learning Officer, National Museum of Scotland
• Janie Nicoll, Freelance artist/arts educator, member of Engage Board
• Beki Pope, Freelance Consultant
• Kirin Saeed, Freelance Equalities Consultant

Selection Process

Applications will be subject to the approval of the ESDG and the Engage Board. We aim to create a balanced group reflecting the membership of Engage in Scotland and a diverse mix of skills and experience.

About Engage and Engage Scotland

Engage Scotland is part of Engage, the National Association for Gallery Education,  promoting access to, enjoyment and understanding of the visual arts in the UK and internationally.

Engage Scotland represents the Scottish body of Engage members, responding to training and networking needs within gallery education with a Scottish focus. Engage’s programme in Scotland is developed and managed by a Scotland–based coordinator.

We work in partnership with other organisations in the visual arts sector to enable us to share good practice and learning in gallery/visual arts education more widely.

Engage Scotland’s programme is supported by the National Lottery through Creative Scotland.

Engage is the lead professional association promoting understanding and enjoyment of the visual arts through advocacy, professional development, research and projects and disseminating practice.

Engage has a membership of around 900, including c.270 galleries, museums and arts centres across the UK and in 24 countries internationally. Engage is an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation, has received Open Project funding from Creative Scotland for its programme 2018-20 in Scotland and receives project funding from the Arts Council of Wales.

Engage provides a platform for education professionals working within galleries, museums, heritage venues, schools and other community venues, to meet and connect through Area Group meetings, Engage events and the Engage website.