Open Forum

Dear All

I am wondering what the best piece of advice about museum work you have gotten? I learned that one of the most important things is to leave a job/ museum in better shape than you found it so that the next person it set up well. I think it is something I intend to carry with me always.

------------------------------
Rachel Alschuler
Museum Education/ Visitor Experience
San Francisco CA
------------------------------

The best advice I've been given is that your job isn't your identity. Give yourself the oxygen to diversify your interests and create a healthy work/life balance. 

------------------------------
Bree Boettner
Museum Manager
AriensCo Museum
Brillion WI
------------------------------

My best piece of advice I've ever received is to "PIVOT!" 

It sounds silly, but one of my bosses would yell "pivot!" at us fairly regularly. I'm the Education Programs Manager and have been working in museum interpretation, education, and exhibit design since 2008. Being able to pivot sharply on a daily basis, think on the fly to come up with alternative programming, and be able to live in the chaos has saved me so many times. 

------------------------------
Andrea Stromeyer
Education Programs Manager
Door County Maritime Museum - Sturgeon Bay
Sturgeon Bay WI
------------------------------

I'm not sure it was the best, but certainly the most memorable. When I was coming up as an art preparator and started to feel confident in the work (probably 1-2 years into my career) my manager said to me "stay humble". He said it directly to me(with a light touch), not generally to the group. I knew right then that I was getting cocky and that's wasn't good for me or the work culture. It was a pivotal moment in my coming up, during those sophomore (wise fool) years.

------------------------------
Matthew Isble
Exhibit Designer & Founder of MuseumTrade.org
misble@crockerartmuseum.org
Crocker Art Museum
Sacramento CA
misble@crockerartmuseum.org
------------------------------

Hi All

Glad to see the question is getting the discussion going. I am starting out myself and appreciate the insight. 

Thanks,

Rachel

------------------------------
Rachel Alschuler
Museum Education/ Visitor Experience
San Francisco CA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-30-2024 11:19 AM
From: Matthew Isble
Subject: Fun Question for the day

I'm not sure it was the best, but certainly the most memorable. When I was coming up as an art preparator and started to feel confident in the work (probably 1-2 years into my career) my manager said to me "stay humble". He said it directly to me(with a light touch), not generally to the group. I knew right then that I was getting cocky and that's wasn't good for me or the work culture. It was a pivotal moment in my coming up, during those sophomore (wise fool) years.

------------------------------
Matthew Isble
Exhibit Designer & Founder of MuseumTrade.org
misble@crockerartmuseum.org
Crocker Art Museum
Sacramento CA
misble@crockerartmuseum.org
------------------------------

I always tell myself and my staff that if you are not having fun at work you are in the wrong job.  Working in museums should be an enjoyable experience.

------------------------------
Harry Klinkhamer
Historical Resources Manager
Venice Museum and Archives
Venice FL
------------------------------

Hi All

I agree with that one should enjoy ones work. I look forward to a creative and collaborative environment to work in. Keep the discussion going.

Thanks,

Rachel

------------------------------
Rachel Alschuler
Museum Education/ Visitor Experience
San Francisco CA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-01-2024 09:37 AM
From: Harry Klinkhamer
Subject: Fun Question for the day

I always tell myself and my staff that if you are not having fun at work you are in the wrong job.  Working in museums should be an enjoyable experience.

------------------------------
Harry Klinkhamer
Historical Resources Manager
Venice Museum and Archives
Venice FL
------------------------------

What would you say is the best advice for a recent MA holder who has recently entered the curatorial field in the public sector, to obtain a curatorial job in the private sector? 

------------------------------
Erik Marcinik
Graduate
Master's Program in Museum Studies - New York University
New York NY
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-01-2024 09:37 AM
From: Harry Klinkhamer
Subject: Fun Question for the day

I always tell myself and my staff that if you are not having fun at work you are in the wrong job.  Working in museums should be an enjoyable experience.

------------------------------
Harry Klinkhamer
Historical Resources Manager
Venice Museum and Archives
Venice FL
------------------------------

Hi All 

Interesting to see all the different advice. Lets keep it going.

Thanks,

Rachel

------------------------------
Rachel Alschuler
Museum Education/ Visitor Experience
San Francisco CA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-03-2024 12:50 PM
From: Erik Marcinik
Subject: Fun Question for the day

What would you say is the best advice for a recent MA holder who has recently entered the curatorial field in the public sector, to obtain a curatorial job in the private sector? 

------------------------------
Erik Marcinik
Graduate
Master's Program in Museum Studies - New York University
New York NY
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 05-01-2024 09:37 AM
From: Harry Klinkhamer
Subject: Fun Question for the day

I always tell myself and my staff that if you are not having fun at work you are in the wrong job.  Working in museums should be an enjoyable experience.

------------------------------
Harry Klinkhamer
Historical Resources Manager
Venice Museum and Archives
Venice FL

I would say my best advice is to keep focused on a specific project and make yourself indispensable to the museum in terms of your skills and knowledge. Always try to stand out as much as humanly possible. 

------------------------------
Erik Marcinik
Intern/Student
Program in Museum Studies - New York University
New York NY
------------------------------

Absolutely! One invaluable piece of advice I received is to always prioritize clear documentation and organization. This not only helps current operations run smoothly but also ensures a seamless transition for future colleagues, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration within the museum community.

Thanks,

(Marcos)

------------------------------
Marcos Andrew
Software Engineer
------------------------------

"Never forget the visitor." As curator of Biltmore House (back in the day!), I became very aware of the importance of the visitor experience. Even as the curatorial department worked behind the scenes, we were always aware of the importance of visitors and of providing them with an intriguing, knowledge-filled experience. 

------------------------------
Susan M. Ward, MA, MS, LCMHC (ret.)
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-04-2024 05:04 AM
From: Marcos Andrew
Subject: Fun Question for the day

Absolutely! One invaluable piece of advice I received is to always prioritize clear documentation and organization. This not only helps current operations run smoothly but also ensures a seamless transition for future colleagues, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration within the museum community.

Thanks,

(Marcos)

------------------------------
Marcos Andrew
Software Engineer
------------------------------

Dear Susan

I agree and want to be a part of that in museums.

Thanks,

Rachel

------------------------------
Rachel Alschuler
Museum Education/ Visitor Experience
San Francisco CA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-06-2024 10:10 AM
From: Susan Ward
Subject: Fun Question for the day

"Never forget the visitor." As curator of Biltmore House (back in the day!), I became very aware of the importance of the visitor experience. Even as the curatorial department worked behind the scenes, we were always aware of the importance of visitors and of providing them with an intriguing, knowledge-filled experience. 

------------------------------
Susan M. Ward, MA, MS, LCMHC (ret.)
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 05-04-2024 05:04 AM
From: Marcos Andrew
Subject: Fun Question for the day

Absolutely! One invaluable piece of advice I received is to always prioritize clear documentation and organization. This not only helps current operations run smoothly but also ensures a seamless transition for future colleagues, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration within the museum community.

Thanks,

(Marcos)

------------------------------
Marcos Andrew
Software Engineer

I didn't completely understand it at the time but now pass on to all of my interns. "Work like if you fall over dead, I can step over you and keep going"

Now when I was given this advice, I wasn't in the museum field, but I've found that it really carried with me. It struck me as very abrasive when I was first told to work this way, but as the years went on, I realized I'd adopted this mentality. If I work like I'm not picking up this project tomorrow, I'm updating everything as I go, I am less likely to forget something or make a mistake. I'm able to pick right up where I stopped without a second thought. It also helps my co-workers out when they need access to something I'm working on. So, while it sounds drastic, I've found it really is the best advice I ever got. 

------------------------------
SAMANTHA RICHARDSON
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
Richmond VA
------------------------------