Lerwick 28 – Be on our Commissioning Panel
About the role
Lerwick 28 is recruiting two Independent Community Members to join the panel that will assess proposals for the principal Lerwick 28 commissions.
These roles are intended to bring perspectives and lived experience into the commissioning process that are not already strongly represented on the existing panel.
You do not need to be an artist, work in the cultural sector or have previous experience of commissioning, funding panels, boards or committees. We are particularly keen to hear from people who would not normally consider applying for this kind of role.
One of the two places will be reserved for someone aged 16-25.
What will you do?
As a Community Member, you will be a full member of the Lerwick 28 Commissioning Panel.
You will read the eligible commissioning proposals before the panel meeting; score them against the published assessment criteria; consider the guidance provided on how proposals should be assessed; attend a briefing meeting with the Lerwick 28 Bid Director during the week before the panel; attend the Commissioning Panel meeting at Mareel at 10am on Monday 26 October 2026; contribute your own views, questions and judgement to the panel discussion; consider the findings of the wider Lerwick 28 consultation alongside the proposals and assessment criteria; and participate fully in decisions about which proposals should progress.
You will read the eligible commissioning proposals before the panel meeting; score them against the published assessment criteria; consider the guidance provided on how proposals should be assessed; attend a briefing meeting with the Lerwick 28 Bid Director during the week before the panel; attend the Commissioning Panel meeting at Mareel at 10am on Monday 26 October 2026; contribute your own views, questions and judgement to the panel discussion; consider the findings of the wider Lerwick 28 consultation alongside the proposals and assessment criteria; and participate fully in decisions about which proposals should progress.
You are not being asked to represent or speak on behalf of everyone in Lerwick. You will bring your own experience, perspective and judgement to the discussion.
Who are we looking for?
We are looking for people with a demonstrable connection to Lerwick. That connection might come from living, working, studying, caring, volunteering, participating in community life or another substantial current relationship with the town.
We particularly welcome applications from people who do not work professionally in arts or culture; have not previously been involved in cultural commissioning or funding decisions; have not usually served on boards, committees or formal decision-making groups; can bring perspectives from everyday life in Lerwick; are curious and open-minded; are willing to listen to different views; can ask questions and make fair judgements; and are comfortable expressing their own opinion while considering the views and evidence presented by others.
We will consider the overall balance of perspectives across both Community Members and the wider Commissioning Panel when making appointments.
Young Community Member
One of the two positions will be reserved for a person aged 16-25.
The younger Community Member will have exactly the same status as every other member of the panel and will participate fully in discussions and decisions. No previous panel or commissioning experience is required.
Time commitment
You must be available to attend the Commissioning Panel in person at Mareel at 10am on Monday 26 October 2026.
You will also need sufficient time in advance to read and score the commissioning proposals. A general guide explaining how to assess and score proposals will be issued with the applications.
You will also have a briefing meeting with the Lerwick 28 Bid Director during the week before the Commissioning Panel.
This appointment is for this principal commissioning round only.
Payment and access
Community Members will receive a payment of £500 covering preparation, reading, scoring and attendance at the Commissioning Panel. Payment will be made after the event on presentation of an invoice.
Reasonable access costs will be covered where required. Where needed, access costs may be paid in advance of the meeting.
Please tell us if you need any adjustments or support to participate fully in the process. Tea, coffee and lunch will be provided on the panel day.
Conflicts of interest
Once the commissioning applications are known, Community Members will be asked to declare any relevant personal, professional, financial or organisational connections with applicants.
Having a connection with someone involved in an application will not automatically prevent you from taking part. Conflicts will be considered proportionately and, where necessary, panel members may be asked not to score or participate in discussion of a particular proposal.
Confidentiality
Commissioning applications, individual scores, panel discussions and any sensitive information shared through the process must be kept confidential. This will be a condition of appointment.
Who cannot apply?
To protect the independence of the Community Member roles, applications cannot be accepted from current contracted staff of Shetland Arts, current Shetland Arts trustees, or current members of the Lerwick 28 Programme Board.
The fixed Lerwick 28 Bid Director role on the Commissioning Panel is unaffected by this restriction.
How will people be selected?
This is a light-touch Expression of Interest rather than a formal recruitment process. You do not need to submit a CV.
Applications will be considered on your connection to Lerwick; the perspective and lived experience you would bring; your ability to contribute constructively to discussion and decision-making; your availability to undertake the preparation and attend the panel; and the overall balance of perspectives across the two Community Members and the wider Commissioning Panel.
The final decision will be made jointly by the Lerwick 28 Bid Director and a member of the Lerwick 28 Programme Board.
How to apply
Please send your Expression of Interest to admin@shetlandarts.org by Sunday 18 October 2026.
Please answer the questions below. Keep your answers short. We are interested in your perspective and experience, not how well you can write an application.
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