For a future issue of Hand to Hand, quarterly journal of the Association of
Youth Museums, devoted to the subject of professional advancement in
children's museums (cm's), I'm interested in hearing from people in response
to the following:
Is the children's museum profession paying enough attention to training new
leaders for the field? A number of cm's have recently hired directors from
outside the field. Are boards overlooking talent from within the field? Has
the field defined the skills needed for leadership of our institutions? Are
training/mentoring programs available to acquire skills to move up the
ladder? Are avenues of advancement truly open within institutions? From
staff's point of view? From board's point of view? Is our pattern of
advancement similar to those of other museums? How often do the
second-in-commands (assistant directors, education directors, exhibit
directors, etc.) want to become directors? How likely are they to make it?
Are museum directorships interchangeable? Does being a director of an
historical society or fine arts center qualify you to run a children's
museum? Or vice versa? How much crossover goes on the museum field in
general? What specific expertise does a former cm director bring to another
kind of museum? How much does museum content matter when hiring a director of
a cm? One would assume a director of an art museum to demonstrate expertise
in some aspect of art history. What's the comparable academic expertise ideal
for a cm director? Does it matter if you like kids at all? Currently, besides
MMI, what professional advancement programs are available for museum
professionals in general? Are children's museums viewed as a sub-specialty in
museum management? If a 19-year-old college student came to you and said, "My
goal is to become a director of a children's museum," how would you advise
them to direct their education/experience to give them the greatest advantage
in breaking into the field?
Hope this is not too long. Respond online or by phone or fax. Thanks.
Mary Maher, editor, Hand to Hand
609 East Market Street, Suite 102A
Charlottesville, VA 22902
804 295-7603   FAX 804 295-5045