Dare I say this.....  21 years old seems awfully young to be so
certain about your future in museums and the future of the profession
in general.

I have followed the various threads on museum salaries with great
interest. Clearly it is true that our pay is unreasonably low. It is
also true that there is a rather low ceiling even for the best paid of
our peers. But I also think that this list provides proof that the
profession is changing and growing. As we become increasingly
professional, as we communicate with each other in more productive and
efficient ways, as we (perhaps) organize more effectively, salaries
will catch up.

Will we ever make salaries equivalent to corporate executives or
doctors? No. Does that mean we will be unable to put food on the table
or pay the rent. No. If you wish to have a satisfying life and a
future in museums, you can.


Just my two cents.

Denise Meringolo
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Erica Jakubowski <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>Recently I started working for a non-for-profit arts organization/museum.
>This is my first "job" after college.  After interning for 5 years (high
>school through college) in various national and international museums,
>galleries, and other arts related organizations, I came to a bold decision.
>Yes, I do have a strong love and affection for museums.  Yes, I think they are
>worthwhile and neccessary.  Yes, I have a very strong connection and believe
>in the importance of the arts.  However, the compensation has forced me to
>look elsewhere for future employment.  I will stay with my organization until
>my job is completed; however, I can not afford to let valuable skills not be
>compensated.  I understand that starting salaries are pathetic.  But I do not
>understand that glass ceiling that exists in museums.  It is time for a young
>person such as myself to move on.  I don't think any job is as fullfilling as
>museum work--but I also know that I will never be able to put food on my table
>and live a decent life and support the arts on the salaries of the museum
>world.  I am 21 years old and I know being a curator has always been my
>dream--but museums do not support our decisions.  My committment in the future
>will be to serve on acquisition committees, board of trustees and be in the
>membership program of many of the museums I believe in.  Do I think a museum
>job is worth it?  I no longer know the answer.  At one point I attempted to
>reestablish a museum studies program at my former university.  Later by my
>peers I was asked "why?"  Why struggle to start a program that may not even
>help students get jobs.  Many students can not afford to intern at museum,
>galleries and arts organizations without pay.  The older generation of museum
>workers, directors and board members should look at my generation.  My
>generation is saying "NO" we can not afford to work under these conditions.
>My friends in other fields with little or no internship experience make 3
>times my salary right out of college.  I would love to stay in museum work, I
>would love to chase after my dreams but life costs money.  Money that museums
>just don't pay.  Will I feel gulity for leaving this field...yes!!!  But the
>fact of the matter remains this industry will continue to lose young, firery,
>aggressive people such as myself unless they begin to realize we are their
>future and we deserve respect in terms of compensation.  I know many young
>people that have interned at museums, galleries and such and loved it as much
>as I have but have looked elsewhere for employment because they've realized
>that they can do more for a museum working from the outside and giving money
>that they earn to that institution.  Look around your museum and see how many
>young people are working in your museum.  Then check 5 years later and see how
>many of them are still working for a museum.  I will miss this
>profession...but I can not afford to work in it.