Case studies: Curator (learning and access): Anna

Anna is the curator at a higher education institution in Scotland with nine individual museums on campus. She has a background in history of art and is responsible for the education programme of the museum section of the university.

I have a long-standing interest in art but found myself more interested in reading and writing about art than creating works of art myself. This led quite naturally to a degree in history of art at the University of Aberdeen and, through volunteering at the Aberdeen City Art Gallery and the National Trust, a postgraduate Masters in art, museum and gallery education.

I was fortunate that, through my Masters, I was able to undertake a placement at the Shipley Art Gallery in Gateshead and do some volunteering at the main art gallery in Newcastle. This work experience gave me fantastic contact with current professionals, broadening my knowledge base and creating a network so that when I applied for my first job in Newcastle I was well informed. I had also undertaken some relevant work experience outside the museum sector as a non-qualified supply teacher. This gave me a real insight into current curricula, classroom management and children’s learning styles, which I use on a day-to-day basis in my current position at the university.

My current role is varied and involves working with school groups, delivering evening lectures for the public and organising special events and activities within teaching and learning at the university. I design programmes that provide access for schools and community groups to the museum’s 350,000 exhibits, take the exhibits out into the community, teach school groups what it means to create a museum for themselves and lecture in different aspects of the collections.

This position requires a certain degree of flexibility, a creative mind able to think beyond the obvious, good project and time management skills and a willingness to work autonomously. For example, in the coming year I expect to work with 3,000  to 4,000 primary-aged children in a series of daily workshops, as well as evening lectures to the public and special events at the weekends pulling together visual artists, sound specialists, science practitioners and storytellers to bring the collections alive.

It is not the easiest sector in which to gain entry, and volunteering first is essential. Students need to be prepared for setbacks even in applying for volunteering and they need to be persistent. It is a great help to museums and galleries if students research them well, know about their current programmes and volunteer for a particular role or project within that. Even typical volunteering activities, such as standing about in galleries and National Trust properties, can be helpful, if students use these opportunities to talk to experienced professionals in the organisations creating a network of contacts and using every opportunity to learn.

It isn’t the best paid sector, and temporary contracts are common before securing a permanent position, but the opportunities to work with community groups and specialist professionals is deeply rewarding.