"There is no such thing as being underpaid."  -William Maurer, Director,
Gomez Mill House.

I beg to differ.  Did anyone consider the fact that museum jobs continue to
pay so little because so many simply "accept" it as "the way it is?"

Museums, in an effort to compete for the attention of an increasingly
sophisticated and discriminating audience, have begun to behave more and
more like for-profit corporations (and rightfully so).  Professionalization
and specialization are now tantamount as can clearly be seen in the
proliferation of museum studies and museum-related MBA programs throughout
the country.

Perhaps if those coming out of such training programs (or bringing
significant experience with them) DEMANDED higher salaries, the market
would change.  Museum administrators might hold their ground at first but,
eventually, as the quality of their product suffered and visitation
dwindled they might reconsider their position.  If museums wish to conduct
themselves more like for-profit corporations then they must appropriately
compensate their professional staff.  Otherwise, they will suffer the same
fate as corporations that are poorly run (or out-of-touch)--poor
retention/public image, poor production, and incredible turnover.

Earlier someone suggested a union.  Some municipalities do have union
museum workers but they typically do not include those at the professional
or administrative levels--they are usually for maintenance & security.
Would be it be a good idea for museum professionals to unionize?  I'm not
sure.

Mr. Maurer's comments were symptomatic of the problem.  We will not make
progress as an industry if other museum administrators share his views or
if others simply "accept" them as the reality.

That being said, you must be careful what you wish for.  If you wish to be
managed and compensated according to corporate standards, then you will
also be held more accountable for your work product.  But in my view,
increasing accountability and raising the standards of our industry are
good things.
* (My comments do not reflect the views/opinions/position of my employer.) *

Jeremy T. Chrabascz, Indiana State Museum & Historic Sites

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