A new director of Bucks County Museum is due to start at the beginning of April and it is also set to be run as a charitable trust.
As a result,seven to 10 people with an interest in museums and heritage are being sought as trustees.
Ruth Page, who works for Bucks County Council Culture and Learning, is project managing the move towards trust status and is also interm manager.
Previous museum manager Sarah Gray retired in September last year after more than 20 years in post. Her successor Richard de Peyer, currently working at Wycombe Museum, will start on April 1.
Ms Page said: “Because of all the cuts Bucks County Council has been looking for a sustainable way to keep the museum open. The idea of a charitable trust seemed to be the most favourable option. There is no definite timetable but we are working towards having trust status by the end of the year.”
The council will still be a major funder of the museum, but as a charitable trust other income streams would open up.
Ms Page said: “I feel excited about the future of the museum, it’s a very positive time. The current Friars exhibition is the start of the change of direction.”
Ms Page said it is a fact of life now that museums will have to generate more income because the funding is no longer there.
For more details about applying to be a trustee call Julia Thomas at BCC on 01296 387373.