Jobs and Volunteering
The Bowes Museum’s a friendly and exciting place to work. With around 70 employees and over 60 volunteers, we’ve a wide range of skills and knowledge in the team and we’re often looking to add to it.
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OPPORTUNITIES
Volunteer
There has never been a more exciting time to get involved.
The museum is currently going through an exciting period of transformation, with new volunteering opportunities opening up as we go.
For more information, please click on the image above.
Collections Assistant
Role: Collections Assistant
Location: The Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle, County Durham, DL12 8PP
Salary: £26,522.50 per annum
Closing Date: 5pm, Friday 22 May 2026
As Collections Assistant, you will play a central role in the day-to-day management of the collection. You’ll take the lead on maintaining and improving our collections records, supporting a significant database migration, and ensuring our documentation is accurate, accessible and useful for colleagues, researchers and the public. Alongside this, you will coordinate loans, support object movement and contribute to strengthening how we manage and care for works across the Museum.
Please click on the image above to learn more.
Curator (Co-Production)
Hours: 3 days per week
Contract: Fixed term until 2029
Salary: £18,708.50 (actual salary)
Location: The Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle
Closing date: 5pm 22nd May 2026
As Curator (Co-Production), you will play a central role in embedding co-production across The Bowes Museum’s work. The role is part of Going Places, an Art Fund programme made possible with major support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and The Julia Rausing Trust, alongside a wider group of trusts, foundations and individuals. The Bowes Museum is part of the Founding the Future network, working in partnership with Watts Gallery (Guildford) and Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum (Bournemouth). Together, you will contribute to a collaborative touring exhibition programme (2026–29), leading community co-produced work at The Bowes Museum for exhibitions in 2027 and 2028/9.
Click the image to learn more and apply.
Welcome Team Supervisor (Temp Cover)
Hours: 34 hrs / wk
Contract Type: Fixed-Term 6-Month
Salary: £13.27 / hr (£23,461.36 / annum – pro rata)
Closing Date: 22nd May
Interviews: 28th May
As the Bowes Museum enters an exciting period of change, investment and transformation, we are seeking to recruit a Welcome Team Supervisor to join our team on a fixed-term basis. You will become a valued member of our team as we continue to develop our visitor experience and wider museum offer.
To succeed in this role, you will be enthusiastic, motivated, able to work on your own initiative and collaborate with others. You will be comfortable working with others in a customer-facing sales environment, delivering the highest standards of customer service and care. You will be an effective communicator and demonstrate flexibility in this varied role. You will have strong people-management skills and be passionate about supporting and developing a staff team.
Click the image above to learn more and apply.
Chef
Hours: 32 hrs (4 days)
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: £22,481.44
Closing Date: 29th May
Interviews: 4th June
Food is an important part of how visitors experience The Bowes Museum and its historic setting. We are looking for a Chef to join our Catering Team, supporting the delivery of a thoughtful, high quality food and drink offer that provides an exceptional visitor experience at the museum.
Working alongside the Head Chef and wider catering team, you will help prepare and deliver a locally sourced menu for the museum café and events. Your work will contribute directly to creating a warm, welcoming and memorable experience for visitors.
Click on the image for more information and to apply.
Catering Assistant
Hours: 0 hrs
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: £12.71 per hour
Closing Date: Ongoing
Interviews: Arranged via telephone
Food is an important part of how visitors experience The Bowes Museum and its historic setting. We are looking for a Catering Assistant to join our Catering Team, supporting the delivery of a thoughtful, high quality food and drink offer that provides an exceptional visitor experience at the museum.
Working as part of the catering team you will help deliver our food and drink offering for the museum café and events. Your work will contribute directly to creating a warm, welcoming and memorable experience for visitors.
Click on the image above for more information and to apply.
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