Join the Team

Chair of the Board of Trustees

As the Thackray Museum of Medicine looks to build on a period of bold strategic growth since a major redevelopment (reopening in May 2021), we are seeking an experienced, ambitious and community-minded Chair to lead our Board of Trustees.

Term: Minimum three years from 12 May 2026, renewable (maximum six years)
Commitment: Approx. 1–1.5 days per month (voluntary; reasonable out-of-pocket expenses reimbursed).
Your location: Ideally Leeds (nationwide considered); Board meetings four times a year (three may be hybrid; in-person presence preferred).

The Role:

The Chair will lead and steward an engaged, forward-thinking Board to support the CEO and senior team as the Museum consolidates recent gains and secures long-term resilience. You will ensure excellent governance, provide constructive challenge and support to the CEO, strengthen relationships with funders and partners, champion the Museum’s commitment to equity and community co-curation, and be an ambassador for the organisation locally and nationally.

We are conscious of our ability to best represent our incredibly diverse and culturally-rich local communities; to that end, we are keen to gain interest from a global majority candidate.

For full details of the role please download the full appointment brief.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply, please send an up-to-date CV, a Supporting Statement (no more than two A4 pages) outlining your interest and relevant experience, in confidence to Jenny Hills at [email protected].

For an informal and confidential conversation about this position, please contact Jenny Hills at Harris Hill at [email protected] with times to speak and (optional but appreciated) a CV or professional profile which will be treated with the strictest confidence. There is also the opportunity for suitable interested candidates to speak to the Thackray’s CEO, current chair or other trustees in advance of submitting an application.

Closing date for applications: 11.59pm, Tuesday 31 March 2026.
First stage interviews: w/c 13 April 2026 (tbc).
Second stage interviews: w/c 20 April 2026 (tbc).

Artist Commission for ‘Magical Medicine’

We would like to commission a visual artist to work with our enthusiastic and creative group of Young
Curators to help us transform our exhibition gallery into a magical witch’s garden as the focus of our
family-friendly exhibition on the healing magic of plants and gardens.

We want an artist to create something whimsical, playful and interactive for children that will help unlock their imagination in exploring the history, folklore and magic of plants’ healing powers. We are looking for artist-makers who work in three dimensions (sculpture, installation etc.).

We want the art to be made of natural, sustainable, or recycled materials (ideally introducing no new plastic into the museum), but it must also be hardwearing and durable to handle five months of interactive play with children.

We are especially interested in hearing from artists based in Yorkshire and the North of England who have a flexible and collaborative working practice, and will be available to work with the group at our museum in Leeds.

For full details of the role please download the full commission brief.

Key Dates

Submission deadline: Midnight on Thursday 2 April
Artist interviews: Week commencing Monday 13 April
Initial meeting: Monday 20 April
Present design concept: Monday 18 May
Final presentation of work: June 2026 (exact date can be discussed with the artist)
Installation: From Monday 6 July
Exhibition opens: Saturday 18 July

How to Apply

To apply please send us:
CV and bio
Examples of relevant work with links/images
A brief outline proposal with ideas/approach for commission. Consider including:

  • Where you are based.
  • Tell us about your current practice
  • Tell us about what you want to explore with us and what you would create for this project.
  • How do you best work?
  • Do you have any specific access or support needs?
  • Indicative budget breakdown
  • Please state your day rate

If you would prefer, you can also apply by uploading video or audio formats (no more than 5 minutes).
Please send applications to [email protected]