Uh, Ross, while you may not believe that there is such a beast as a museum
professional, I think I lot of people beside myself do, and some of them
work with dinosaurs and controversial art.

And, if you are looking for a definition, it seems to me that a museum
professional is a specialist in some field dedicated to advancing that
discipline in the context of a museum.  You know -- just like a scholar of
English literature might be dedicated to education through classroom
teaching.

You are right that scrabbling over the crumbs of a shrinking pie makes a
whole lot less sense than figuring out how to bake a bigger pie, though.

Ellen B. Cutler
LNB Associates: Writing, Editing, Research Services
Aberdeen MD  21001


----- Original Message -----
From: Ross Weeks <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Sunday, July 01, 2001 2:40 PM
Subject: Re: Value to the Community


> Museums, I believe, are perceived as quite valuable in their communities
> (except when they veer off into dinosaurs and sensationalist art to
attract
> audiences).  In addition, those who are true "professionals" in these
> institutions often command a good deal of respect in their communities,
and
> are regarded as assets for the quality and credibility they exemplify.
>
> Is there a "museum profession?"  Probably not, in the accepted sense of
that
> word.  We employ historians, archaeologists, artists, scientists, etc.
etc.
> Reputable specialists in our museums, if they interact with their
> communities, are respected for their expertise.  Their compensation
probably
> does not reflect their value, unless they serve government museums.
>
> As Lori writes, government employees -- including those who work in
> government museums -- can count on a salary schedule that has annual step
> increases, and usually periodic cost of living increases.  Non-profit
> museums generally have no way to guarantee such a compensation plan.  They
> do not have the authority to tax.  They do not receive more income just
> because the economy is thriving.  Philanthropy is fickle, and there are
far
> too many museums after large gifts from the same sources.
>
> We compete with one another unmercifully for whatever funding is
available.
> New museums are created every week, it seems, in these United States.  We
> collaborate and network and mentor one another.  We need to establish more
> consortia of museums, as the private colleges have, to attract private
> philanthropy for us all.
> Ross Weeks Jr.
> Historic Crab Orchard Museum & Pioneer Park
> Tazewell, Va.
> http://histcrab.netscope.net
>
> Dear T W, et al
> Your are right.  Our profession is not perceived as valuable.  This is an
> issue I have struggled with many times and one that has taken me my entire
> adult life to learn not to take personally.  Please forgive the verbosity
> and read on:
>
> I am reminded of when my engineer boyfriend (now husband) came home from
> work 1 year after graduation and was very mad and upset that he had
received
> "only a 1% raise".  I looked at the pay stub, did some quick math and
> contradicted that he had, in fact, received a 5 % raise.  He replied that
> there was a 4% cost of living increase that year and "since everyone gets
a
> cost of living raise, he had, in reality, only received a 1% raise".  I
> began laughing uncontrollably.  When I was finally able to stop laughing,
I
> made fun of him for being a "spoiled little 'rich' kid raised by two
career
> government employees who thought that somebody owed them something because
> of inflation".  He was shocked at my contempt.  It was at that point I
> explained the "real world" to him.  He has since been well-inducted.
> <snip-snip>
> Lori Allen,
> Graduate Student, UMSL
>
> =========================================================
> Important Subscriber Information:
>
> The Museum-L FAQ file is located at
http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed
information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message
to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help"
(without the quotes).
>
> If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to
[log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff
Museum-L" (without the quotes).
>

=========================================================
Important Subscriber Information:

The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes).

If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).