Description
Book SynopsisA One-Stop Guide to Museum Careers People who love art, are fascinated by archaeology, or are history buffs may have considered the idea of working in a museum. But experience as a museum visitor reveals only the public-facing side of the museum, and not the complex, dynamic structure behind the scenes. So You Want to Work in A Museum? helps to demystify museums as institutions and to prepare prospective museum staff to explore the field further. After reading this book, readers will be able to: oUnderstand how non-profit museums are governed, funded, and staffed, and how they define and meet their missions. oExplore museum divisions and departments and specific roles within them—not just prominent roles like directors and curators, but also less visible ones like registrars, preparators, development officers, conservators, and more. oConsider the contemporary function of museums, and how yesterday’s cabinets of curiosity have evolved into today’s community catalysts. Examine how the contemporary function of museums has affected the types of positions available and the work museum staff do on a daily basis. oLook at the skills required for different types of positions, and how readers aspiring to work in those positions can best prepare themselves to land their dream jobs and be successful in them. oUnderstand the benefits and potential challenges of working in a museum, and oAccess a wealth of resources that will inspire further study of the field, and outline next steps to pursue a museum career.
Trade ReviewTara Young is on a mission – a mission to excite people about the prospect of a museum career at a time when museums arguably most need diverse and creative talent. Aimed at aspiring museum professionals of all ages and backgrounds, Young grounds readers in the basics of museum types, structures, sizes, and challenges before diving into a comprehensive catalog of job titles. This book gives us a potent antidote to the struggles and difficult conversations facing museums today. -- Anne W. Ackerson, co-author, Leadership Matters and Women in the Museum: Lessons from the Workplace; and co-founder, Gender Equity in Museums Movement (GEMM
This book shines a light on a needed path, supporting those who are considering a museum career journey. It provides a breadth of basic insights in order to encourage more intentional entry into the field. And, its candid approach should inspire a number of personal reflections. -- Dina Bailey, CEO, Mountain Top Vision
Table of ContentsChapter 1: From Art to Zoology: Types of Museums Chapter 2: Organizational Structure Chapter 3: The Front Line: Visitor Services Chapter 4: Education Chapter 5: Working with Objects Chapter 6: Exhibitions Chapter 7: Conservation Chapter 8: Communications Chapter 9: Development Chapter 10: The Executive Office Chapter 11: Administration Chapter 12: Universal Skills and Distinct Pathways Chapter 13: Things I Wish I Had Known When I Was Twenty-Four: Opportunities and Challenges Chapter 14: Where Are Museums Going? Chapter 15: Resources
