Elke Pluijmen’s Post

This week we'll be exploring "other duties as assigned" and I want to hear about your experiences with 🧼CLEANING🧼 In addition to their main tasks, it is common for museum workers (especially at smaller museums) who have to take on duties like cleaning the toilets, the museum, vacuuming spaces, etc. What I want to know is: 1. How long do these tasks usually take? (Daily/Weekly/Monthly) 2. What you are expected to do If you don't want to comment, you can feel free to submit your own experience privately here: https://lnkd.in/egqbK_z8 𝗔 𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗿: Getting assigned "other duties" outside of your scope of work can, in select environments, serve as a way of professional development. However, what is often the case in museums, is underpaid and overworked individuals are being taken advantage of and/or a place is understaffed to be able to sustainably fill roles and tasks.

Today's museum question: What skills AND characteristics do you envision in staff that will work in a team to produce multi-platform interactive, inclusive and transformative heritage experiences? (In terms of characteristics f.ex. I belive curiosity and being comfortable in explorative work methods is necessary, but isn't something you have on your CV).

With local Authority cuts inevitable it is time Museums and Heritage sites ask themselves one question…. How do we get through this? It is not time to roll over and accept this attack on cultural institutions. For years, I have said, all arts, heritage and cultural venues need to work towards financial sustainability. So, what can you do? Ask yourself this question. What can we do in our current operation? I have made a career out of that question. If you are new to this, this is what you need to do. 1, How much is a reasonable amount to raise? £50k? £75k? £100k? 2, Complete a commercial audit. Include as many staff as you can in this process. What rooms can you hire? What events can you organise? Can you create corporate packages? Can you design experiences? What skills do you have within your operation? Are their sponsorship opportunities? 3, How do you do this within your current operation? 4, DO IT! Yes, I make it sound easy. It isn’t. You have to be freative, dynamic and innovative. But, it isn’t impossible. As always, if I can help in anyway, please get in touch. Let’s stick together. #museums #heritage #arts #culture

Greater London

Understanding Museum Risk: How These Essential Cultural Establishments Can Get Ahead of Risky Business https://lnkd.in/e_GfQTwi

We all need a break every now and then. But how can we enjoy a summer getaway in the UK without breaking the bank? Here are some budget-friendly suggestions: Treks in National Parks: Explore UK’s diverse geography with many peaks and trails. Plan a trek that suits your ability and schedule, and enjoy a refreshing day out amidst nature and scenic views—for free! Explore Museums and Castles: There are certainly numerous museums and castles across the UK. Immerse yourself in unique architecture, learn a thing or two from history, or simply appreciate mankind's progress—all for a very small price. Watch the video to uncover where to find information about the nearest trek routes and museums. #BudgetFriendly #UKSummer #moneymanagement

A lot of lengthy planning goes into designing tours for museums & galleries Aside for gauging audience ages, language barriers and site management, there is a host of other elements that needs to be factored in 👇🏽 🟠 Pinch Points: 🎯 Are there parts of the site that have narrower corridors & gathering areas? If yes, the tour speed and amount of content available for those areas needs to be tightened down to ensure access doesn’t get blocked and that visitors continue to move through at a decent pace. 🟠 Trip Hazards: ⚠️ Stair cases, displays and furniture all need to be reckoned with when designing the tours. This ensures that visitors aren’t distracted by available content at points where extra attention is required. 🟠 Sun Traps: ☀️ Does part of the tour cover the exterior grounds? If yes, are the visitors exposed to the sun for extended periods of time? This can be a challenge for many, and designing the tour to ensure that visitors are not held up in uncomfortable spots for extended periods of time is critical. Its for the above reasons and many more that Acoustiguide Limited comes onboard at very early stages to fully grasp every aspect of the museum or gallery we are building content for. This enables us to design cutting edge tours that harmonise both the physical and virtual dimensions of our partner sites. #acoustiguide #tours #museums #contentcreation

My colleague sold a $30,000 piece of art in 10 minutes. It was during my my fifth international art fair business trip as global affairs head for ATELIER AKI, this time to Shanghai. While I was captivated by the art and culture of West Bund Art & Design, my greatest lessons came from observing our partner in China. With remarkable poise, she sold multiple works priced between $20,000 and $40,000—within minutes. Here are some of her small actions that ultimately made all the difference in closing these sales. 1. Speak slowly; nothing undermines composure like speaking too quickly. 2. Use a calm, gentle tone and a low voice to create a sense of calm amidst the busy fair. 3. Stay fully present and respectful with the person you’re engaging, despite the pull of other inquiries. 4. Offer a genuine smile when discussing the artwork, sharing warmth and enthusiasm. Ultimately, the most essential aspect of sales and business isn’t anything technical; it’s simply the mastery of building genuine relationships. What truly influences a buyer’s decision is not only the artwork itself but the meaningful experience they share with the person presenting it.

This MEND grant investment in Brighton is going to make such a difference. The Museum Estate and Development Fund (MEND) is an open-access capital fund targeted at non-national Accredited museums and local authorities based in England to apply for funding to undertake vital infrastructure and urgent maintenance backlogs which are beyond the scope of day-to-day maintenance budgets. It has provided critical investment for museums up and down the country. As one museum director told me, ‘I didn’t come into this job to spend all my time moving buckets to catch the water coming in through the roof’. MEND investment doesn’t just fix buildings, it helps museum teams to do the work they really want to do - making a difference for the public. #funding #investment #capitalfunding #maintenance #museums #galleries

Navigating the Complex Terrain of Museum Consultancy: An Insightful Analysis In the world of museum consultancy, professionals frequently encounter a landscape riddled with challenges that can make their work seem daunting. Among the most pressing issues is the constraint of limited budgets allocated by museums, often leading to restricted project scopes and the need to innovate within tight financial parameters. This financial limitation is further exacerbated by a general lack of a consulting culture in regions such as Spain, where museums might not traditionally engage with consultants, leading to a gap in understanding and leveraging external expertise. Moreover, consultants often face a lack of trust from museum staff, who may view external advisors with skepticism, fearing that consultants might not fully grasp the unique ethos and challenges of their institutions. This situation demands that consultants not only exhibit exceptional interpersonal skills but also a deep understanding of museum operations and culture to bridge this trust gap. Another significant hurdle is the stringent government restrictions that can limit the scope of projects. These regulations, while intended to preserve cultural heritage and ensure public access, can often impose additional layers of complexity on consultancy projects, requiring a nuanced understanding of legal and bureaucratic frameworks. Addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted approach, emphasizing the development of strong relationships, the demonstration of in-depth knowledge of the museum sector, and a creative approach to project management and problem-solving. Only by navigating these obstacles effectively can museum consultants truly contribute to the enhancement and growth of the institutions they serve, ensuring that museums continue to thrive as custodians of cultural heritage. #MuseumConsultancy #CulturalHeritage #MuseumChallenges #ArtManagement #CulturalManagement #MuseumInnovation #PublicHeritage #CulturalPolicy #ArtConsulting #MuseumEducation