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Heritage Trainee, Devonshire Collective

  •  South East
  •  Â£25k-30k (pro rata)
  •  Part time
  •  Closes March 20, 2026
  •  Edward Ball
  •  edward@devonshirecollective.co.uk
  • #Visual arts
New

Description

Job Summary

We are seeking a Heritage Trainee to work alongside our Curator and wider team to support delivery of Discover, Celebrate, Grow; our The National Lottery Heritage Fund supported programme of community engagement celebrating the people, histories and cultures of Eastbourne’s Devonshire Ward.

Job Description

Through a The National Lottery Heritage Fund grant delivered over 16 months, Discover, Celebrate, Grow will bring to light the hidden histories of Eastbourne's seaside residential communities. The project is led by Devonshire Collective and delivered through community led research, creative partnerships with local amenity and history societies, oral histories, storytelling and creative responses.

The project responds to the loss of local heritage infrastructure in Eastbourne over recent years and aims to empower working class residents and local workers who do not typically engage with heritage activity. Participants will work alongside contemporary artists and local heritage organisations to rediscover the historic high street and the wider Devonshire Ward and to tell their own stories on their own terms.

A core aim of Discover, Celebrate, Grow is to ensure that local people can gain training, skills and confidence in heritage practice.

This traineeship offers an opportunity to learn from and contribute to a live, community-based heritage project. The Heritage Trainee will spend time in the community, at our VOLT gallery, and working with local amenity societies, residents and project partners.

The trainee will learn from all members of the Devonshire Collective team, with primary day-to-day support from the Curator. The role focuses on learning through practice, observation and supported delivery, rather than prior expertise.

3 days per week, Thursday-Saturday 21 hours based on a FTE 35 hour week

Job Requirements

Person Specification

You do not need prior experience in heritage to apply. We are looking for someone who demonstrates:

  • The ability to interact with members of the public and stakeholders in a polite and professional manner
  • An interest in developing a career in the cultural, heritage or non-profit sector
  • The ability to take instruction cand carry out tasks with support where required
  • The ability to work independently with initiative, while also asking for guidance and feedback
  • An interest in the visual arts or other cultural artforms

What you will Learn

During the traineeship you will gain:

  • A broad understanding of the heritage sector, including what Seaside and community heritage can encompass
  • Experience of researching local heritage using diverse information sources
  • An introduction to how The National Lottery Heritage Fund projects are structured and delivered
  • Supported exposure to financial and administrative processes connected to grant-funded projects

Job Responsibilities

With guidance and support from the Director and Curator, the Heritage Trainee will:

  • Assist with research using a range of sources, including historic maps, images, archives and reports
  • Support the production of written content such as blog posts, interpretation text and project updates
  • Assist with social media and communications activity related to the project
  • Review documents and reports connected to project delivery
  • Support the delivery of public events, workshops and community activities
  • Help coordinate meetings with residents, practitioners and local community groups
  • Assist in developing interpretation for the final Seaside Road exhibition
  • Invigilate the gallery during exhibitions and engage with visitors

All tasks will be undertaken with appropriate supervision, feedback and opportunities for reflection.

Useful Links

How to Apply

To apply for the Heritage Trainee position, please complete the application form below and return it to [email protected] by Friday 20 March 2026 at 6pm, with the email subject line ‘Heritage Trainee’.

You are not required to submit a CV or cover letter.

Interviews are currently scheduled for Tuesday 31 March 2026 and will take place in person at our gallery, VOLT, 67–69 Seaside Road, Eastbourne, BN21 3PL.

If you have any questions about the role or the organisation, or if you have any access requirements in relation to making an application or attending an interview, please contact Edward Ball, Director, at [email protected]

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