Jane has spent more than 20 years with Glasgow’s museums and has been acting Head of Museums and Collections for Glasgow Life since August.
The appointment comes after an extensive recruitment and interview process following the retirement of Duncan Dornan, Glasgow Life said.
Jane Rowlands has managed almost every aspect of Glasgow’s museum service and been involved in the delivery of projects and programmes including the refurbishment of Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Phase Two of the Glasgow Museum Resource Centre, the Riverside Museum project, the reimagining of Kelvin Hall and The Burrell Collection.
She is currently leading the museums work for the refurbishment of The People’s Palace.
She studied English and Art at Canterbury Christ Church University and then achieved an MA in Conservation in London before joining Glasgow’s museums in 2000 working on the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum project.
She has held positions across Collections and Conservation Management, led or contributed to several research projects, and as a Senior Museums Manager since 2011 supported previous Heads of Museums and Collections.
She said: “The once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to lead Glasgow’s civic museum service is very exciting. No other museums service is as deeply associated with the culture of the city they serve. I am committed to increasing accessibility and engagement with our collections and supporting Glasgow Life’s charitable aims of improving people’s happiness, health and wealth. I’m honoured to be given the chance to expand the influence and reach of Glasgow Life Museums, continuing to work with colleagues who are wonderfully talented and have unmatched expertise.”
Billy Garrett, Director of Culture, Tourism and Events at Glasgow Life, said: “Jane Rowlands has been with Glasgow’s museums for more than 23 years and has been at the heart of all their fantastic work in that time. No-one knows Glasgow’s museums better than Jane and she will be a brilliant leader as one of the most passionate and knowledgeable advocates of the power culture has to change lives. Jane will ensure the link between the people of Glasgow and their museums will grow stronger still by making these special places and the fantastic collection more popular than ever.”