Thanks to our British colleagues I have just received a copy of their
National Vocational Qualifications and Museums Associations Diploma
requirements. The program is impressive, and speaks volumes about their
belief in a set of standards for the profession. They evidently have
funding from the government for the part of the program and are aiming at
certification of all museum professionals, either through a Museum Diploma
program with formal M.A. training or a NVQ qualification for those without
a museum M.A. degree.

I think we have to lead the AAM to set some (1) minimum professional
standards, and (2) salary standards. Otherwise we run the risk (actually it
is underway) of a devalued field paying substandard wages. While it has
been argued that there is no "stick" to urge adoption, there is
accreditation. I am personally unaware of any museums that have been
refused acreditation because the staff has inadequate professional training
or the wages are too low. I AM aware of several that should not have been
granted accreditation because of serious problems in these areas. In the
several MAP surveys I performed I do not recall any checklist questions
pertaining to institutional salary standards or levels of professional
training, just adequacy of staffing numbers.

This was brought home, again, after I recently had to advise a museum board
that they could not get a qualified director with five years of experience
for less than a secretary earns in their area. Another colleague had
argued, unsuccessfully, that her curatorial staff should at least be
brought UP to parity with the wage level earned by local refuse collectors.
I also had a student considering history career fields tell me that she had
looked at museums, but the low pay, lack of professionalism and competition
for positions made it look easier to get college teaching positions! While
no one wants to take exams, go back to school or be professionally
assessed, the medium-term consequences of not doing so lead to either slow
death, povery  or catastrophy.  Sorry, but building an IMAX Theater,
installing a simulator or holding sensitivity sessions won't cure the basic
problems. The American Library Association realized this about a decade ago
and has made great strides in requiring basic standards for training and
salaries.

My compliments to our British colleagues; despite the economic turmoil they
have suffered in recent decades they have kept their standards high and
seem to be planning for 21st century museums. Let's hope our institutions
do not degenerate into a whiz-bang "attractions" better suited to the 19th
century.

Byron A. Johnson, Exec. Dir.
The Tampa Bay History Center
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Mail:   P.O. Box 948
        Tampa, FL  33601-0948
Phone: (813) 228-0097
FAX: (813) 223-7021