We are delighted to announce the results of our board election, with two new trustees, Nivek Amichund and Michelle McGrath, elected by our members to serve three-year terms from 1 April 2021.
Our board shapes the future of the MA and the sector, determining our strategic direction.
Nivek is the Chief Exhibitor at Historic Royal Palaces, and a Trustee at Oxford House in Bethnal Green. He has 20 years of experience in the museum sector, working at Tate and the National Portrait Gallery as well as Historic Royal Palaces. In his current role as Chief Exhibitor, he became the first person of colour to become a resident at HM Tower of London as a Head of Household.
He spends his time living at the Tower with his wife Kirsty, daughter Erin and French bulldog Buddy. Being a father to Erin matters most to Nivek – he knows how important it is to have parental support, and often works with young people who are considered ‘hard to reach’ as a mentor and coach.
On his appointment, Nivek said: “It’s a real privilege to join the board. In a time where social, cultural and economic influences can seem to separate our museums from the very communities whom they serve, we must stand together. I’m committed to being a part of the Museums Association’s journey in advocating for change.”
Michelle is the Head of Learning at Bow Arts and Founder of Museum as Muck. She is a learning and engagement specialist and is interested in how we can use museums to tackle social injustice. Working in museums since 2007, she has made collections accessible and engaging for all at the British Museum, Royal Museums Greenwich and the Museum of the Home, among others.
Michelle founded Museum as Muck, a support network for working class museum workers, in 2018, frustrated at the lack of working class people in the sector. The network also works with museums to address class inequity in the workforce, collections and programming.
“I am delighted to take a seat on the Museums Association Board in what is a particularly pertinent time for our sector,” Michelle commented. “The MA has been doing stellar work on advocacy, decolonisation and Covid-recovery for museums. Now is the time to look closely at driving forward sustainable change in our sector and to stand by museum workers. I look forward to contributing to sector-wide impact and progression with inclusivity at its core.”
Nivek and Michelle will begin their term on 1 April 2021.