Volunteer with Queer Heritage South’s Exhibition Advisory Panel

Queer Heritage South is a heritage project run by Marlborough Productions, a nationally and internationally recognised producer of queer-led, intersectional performance, parties, heritage and radical community gatherings. At Marlborough Productions, we envision a world where queer voices are heard, celebrated, and cherished. Our projects, events, and initiatives are powerful tools for change, seeking to challenge stereotypes, advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights, and create a more inclusive society. 

Queer Heritage South 
In 2024, Queer Heritage South (QHS) was awarded a monumental £1.25 million from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for the project Queer Heritage South: Live Archive. This marks one of the largest single investments in LGBTQIA+ heritage by the Heritage Fund. Alongside an inclusive digital ‘Live Archive’ of LGBTQIA+ life in the city of Brighton & Hove, the project will produce a brand new exhibition at Brighton Museum and Gallery set to launch November 2027 showcasing the LGBTQIA+ history of Brighton & Hove.

To kick off exhibition planning, Queer Heritage South is inviting 10 community members to join our voluntary Exhibition Advisory Panel. The Advisory Panel will meet 4 times in Spring/Summer 2026 to offer community perspectives on the themes and content for the exhibition. 

Your Role 
The Exhibition Advisory Panel will consist of 10 LGBTQIA+ Brighton & Hove residents aged 18+ working together to provide invaluable insight and community perspectives to help shape the direction of the exhibition. You will work directly with the exhibition curator, and your input will ensure that the exhibition centres the interests, values and stories most important to the local LGBTQIA+ community.

To ensure that Brighton & Hove’s LGBTQIA+ community is represented in all its diversity, we are particularly seeking advisory group members from communities that are under-represented in museums and LGBTQIA+ history spaces, including:

•  disabled (including D/deaf, learning disabled and/or neurodivergent) people
•  global majority/QTIPOC (queer, trans or intersex people of colour)
• older lesbians
•  working class people

You don’t need to have any previous experience working with museums to join the panel, but you do need to have a strong interest in LGBTQIA+ history.

The commitment
This role involves attending four meetings with the exhibition curator, Jaime Starr, to support them to plan the themes and story focuses for the exhibition. These meetings will, wherever possible, be adapted to the access needs of the panel members.

April 2026 – online introductory one-to-one meeting with the curator, getting to know you, discussing any accessibility needs, and introducing the project.

May, June, July 2026 – one meeting per month, each lasting 2 hours. These will be held in person in central Brighton (a hybrid option will be considered if required for accessibility).

Meetings will involve: 

• Hearing from the QHS team about the goals of the project.
• Proposing themes, stories and case studies for the exhibition.
• Providing feedback on exhibition theme plans from the QHS team.
• Sharing knowledge about under-told stories from your communities.

What You'll Receive

• The opportunity to shape a long-term LGBTQIA+ heritage exhibition at an award winning museum in Brighton & Hove
• Heritage industry experience in exhibition planning
• An exclusive curator-led preview tour of the exhibition
• Reimbursement for reasonable expenses, including travel
• Complimentary tickets to Queer Heritage South events for the duration of your time on the project
• A personalised reference letter from the curator, documenting your contributions to the Advisory Panel.

How to Apply|
To apply please complete the Google Form. If you have any further questions, please contact jaime@marlbroughproductions.org.uk.

Applications will close on 23rd March at 12 noon. Successful applicants will be contacted by 6th April.

Photography Credit: Kaleidoshoots