I really appreciate your response, but I am finding from all my responses that its a sad state of affairs in art administration (seen in your thesis, I assume). Even with this knowledge, I plan to pursue the local scene, with gallery and museum jobs until I feel I have what it takes (both financially and experience) to apply for jobs at a higher level. Graduate school is financial not an option, and with your knowledge from research, may not be much assistance once out, looking for work. Nancy ---------- > From: Annalisa Morgan <[log in to unmask]> > To: [log in to unmask] > Subject: Re: Getting a Position in arts administration > Date: Friday, June 05, 1998 11:37 AM > > To Nancy Sheer, > > I am almost a graduate of the arts administration program at University of > Oregon. I have witnessed other people (and myself)having your same problem > which is why my thesis topic dealt with educational and experiential > qualifications from employee and employer viewpoints. This was strictly in > non-museum arts organizations. This is a VERY simplified picture of my > research, I found that even though hiring organizations list Qualifications > at BA and only a few years experience, they are hiring people with Masters > degrees and many years of experience. Between the two of us we make the > perfect candidate, education and experience, but without one or the other > you will have a difficult time, I know I am. If you are interested I have > info on the most frequently requested skills, breakdown of regional > differences in qualifications, etc. > > Annalisa Morgan > 541-349-1363 > > > > At 06:49 PM 6/4/98 -0400, you wrote: > >As an Administrative Assistant in art galleries for 4 years, the > experience I have gained is enormous (at a gallery level). With a BFA in > Fine Arts, and the work experience, getting considered for any > administrative position within a museum or arts organization has been close > to impossible! I live in Phoenix, AZ, and I am able to relocate anywhere, > with the desire for a bigger, more ecclectic city (LA, San Francisco, > Seattle, NYC, DC), yet I am getting nowhere as far as responses to resumes > I have sent out. > > > >Anyone have contacts in these settings that I could contact, or have > suggestions for improving my chances in getting involved in such a work > environment? > > > >Another issue: salaries. As an administraitve assistant (in art > galleries), the salary history is beans compared to the salaries posted for > museum jobs (especially), and I feel I am deserving of them, although when > asked of my salary history, they feel I should get what I've been getting, > instead of what is being offered. Seems unfair...so what is a girl to do? > > > >Any suggestions, comments or information would be greatly appreciated! > > > >Nancy Scheer > > > >