Our museum is debating the pros and cons of adopting a dress code for
museum staff.  This has come up primarily because a few interns,
volunteers and younger staffers are wearing shorts, rubber flip-flops,
spaghetti straps, revealing necklines, hats, etc., to work.  In the
past, supervisors have simply talked one-on-one with a person they felt
was inappropriately dressed for his or her particular position,
emphasizing that they were doing themselves a disservice if people don't
take them serious.  And obviously there was some degree of difference in
the expectations of a front-end vs. behind-the-scenes people.  A few
people have not responded well to this and cite the absence of a written
policy. (*sigh*)  Obviously, we need to find a way to balance our
identity as an institution that fosters creativity and personal
expression with our commitment to professionalism.
 
I'd appreciate hearing feedback on this situation and hearing from
anybody whose museum has a written dress code.  
 
Marie Via, Director of Exhibitions
Memorial Art Gallery
500 University Avenue
Rochester, NY  14607
585-473-7720, x3012
http://mag.rochester.edu
 

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