beginning in the 1950s, keiller became involved with several arts institutions. from 1956 to approximately 1970, keiller assisted rupert bruce-mitford in a study of the burial ship sutton hoo, taking photographs of the site. she volunteered at the tate from 1976 to 1987, where she was known as the "marmalade queen". from 1978 to 1985, she was a member of the scottish national gallery of modern art advisory committee.