Peter Stevenson wrote:

> Dear New York Expert-On-Salaries-That-Suck-And-Life-As-It-Is,
>
> I can't understand why you take the position that salaries are bad, museums don't have the money, and we just have to accept it.  It isn't
written in stone that museums/non-profits must pay poorly.  I would agree
with a previous poster:  Instead of sitting back and taking what we are
given,museum professionals should take a more active role in local and
national debates on cultural institutions and raise awareness of the real
value of our work.  Unionize?  Who knows? But I would welcome the chance
to discuss it.

And, lastly, I would rather live poor in Iowa than rich in New York.

 The views expressed are certainly my own.

 Peter B. Stevenson
> Exhibit Developer
> Field Museum/Chicago
> [log in to unmask]

Well.  I have never claimed to be an expert.  Moreover, I think the
situation is perhaps different in New York than other places.  The
Brooklyn Museum of Art, my current employer, must compete for visitors,
sponsors, advertising, members, etc. with the Modern Museum of Art, the
Guggenheim (two branches), the Whitney Museum of Art, the Metropolitan
Museum, the American Mus. of Natural History, and a few other places
(Morgan Library, Frick Collection).  These institutions may realize that
there are numerous qualified individuals who could fill there jobs.
Indeed, many people bounce around from the Whitney to the BMA
to...whatever.  Employees at the Modern tried to strike a few years back
and were not successful.  I could complain and try to organize - to what
end?  I wouldn't get fired, but probably laughed at for being so naive.
There simply isn't money to be spared.  Particularly here, in New York,
where not one but 5 or 6 places are included in the City's arts budget.

As for having time to write...it's Friday afternoon, middle of the
summer, everyone who can get out of town does so, and that gives the rest
of us very little to do.