Congo Textile Project - Volunteer

We are looking for an enthusiastic volunteer to support the Congo Textile Project in the Department of Africa, Oceania and the Americas. The British Museum holds an outstanding collection of African textiles comprising almost 5,000 items from across the continent. The collection includes costume and flat textiles, looms and associated weaving equipment, as well as contemporary artworks.

This project focuses on the superb collections from the Democratic Republic of Congo, which comprise around 750 textiles primarily made of plant fibres. The most significant collection from this region was formed in the first decade of the twentieth century by the Hungarian explorer/anthropologist Emil Torday who acquired some 371 textile items during a series of expeditions to the Congo River Basin. The Congo collection was further enriched by a major donation of textiles and looms from the Wellcome Historical Medical Museum in 1954.

This is an exciting opportunity to learn how the Museummanages and cares for its collections and makes them accessible to visitors from around the world.

This programme could/is likely to include

  • Supporting curatorial and Textile Centre staff in upgrading catalogue records by taking digital images and uploading to the Museum’s online database
  • Creating new storage fittings and supports, and sewing on labels
  • Checking correspondence files and reports in the departmental and central archives

How the programme is organised

  • Volunteers are asked to sign up to a regular day a week (preferably Tuesdays) but this may be subject to change
  • The rota is reviewed every few weeks to accommodate staff and volunteer availability

What we would like from you

  • To have a keen interest in the museum sector and for textile collections, particularly from Africa
  • Needlework skills or a willingness to learn
  • Good organisational skills and a high attention to detail
  • Computer skills would be an advantage, and prior knowledge of Excel and PhotoShop would be useful, but training will be provided
  • To envision being able to commit to a minimum of 1 day per week and be engaged with the Project for at least 6 months
  • To be happy to travel to work in our Textile Centre, located in west London
  • The ability to work independently and to remain focused on an extended project

What you can expect from us

  • The opportunity to gain a broader understanding of the role and responsibilities of staff working with Africa collections at the Museum
  • Gain an insight into the behind-the-scenes work required to preserve and highlight our diverse and extensive African textile collections
  • The opportunity to be part of a committed and enthusiastic team
  • The opportunity to develop practical skills in handling and caring for textiles and making them accessible to our audiences both physically and digitally
  • Training in handling, storing and documenting textile collections as well as in using the Museum’s databases for images (ODIN) and collections (MI+).

How to apply

  • Please complete the Volunteer Enquiry formand attach your CV
  • Closing date for applications: Wednesday 23 May 2018