SkintMuseumWorkers

SKINT MUSEUM WORKERS - Zine open for submissions from working class former, current or aspiring museum staff - Run by @ItsAlicePower

[SkintMuseumWorkers @MuseumSkint]

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS:
Skint Museum Workers- collaborative zine looking for submissions from working class people who are current/former museum workers or trying to enter the sector. DEADLINE: 17th August, full details in the link below

https://t.co/KQ1PdTwDkq

[Anna Clark @Anna_R_Clark]

V&A FOH staff are some of the most committed, interested and qualified people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting and working with and they will be hit hardest by this decision. This is an immeasurable loss for the V&A.

[SkintMuseumWorkers @MuseumSkint]

@particip8tion @kolucyahau I've asked and been told no and its pretty mortifying, but that doesn't mean I won't be it again haha

[SkintMuseumWorkers @MuseumSkint]

#AskACurator , but non-curators who work in museums can answer too. How much are you paid? Sensitive topic, but I think a lot of people aren't aware of how many people in the sector are on really low wages.

[SkintMuseumWorkers @MuseumSkint]

Thanks all who shared and yep- its very sobering to see. Most people who shared work BoH and often FoH are paid even worse. My first museum job was under 16k working full time in Central London. How can we expect working class people to stay in the sector?

[SkintMuseumWorkers @MuseumSkint]

#AskACurator , but non-curators who work in museums can answer too. How much are you paid? Sensitive topic, but I think a lot of people aren't aware of how many people in the sector are on really low wages.

[SkintMuseumWorkers @MuseumSkint]

@elaffleck Two of these are the same movie Eleanor

[Holly Casio @HollyCasio]

Work pals, I'm gonna be onsite at Tate Britain today to support 313 of my colleagues who are facing redundancies. Prospect reps and members will be there to show solidarity with @Tate_United and I hope to see some of you there.

[SkintMuseumWorkers @MuseumSkint]

SUBMISSIONS ARE NOW CLOSED

So many thanks to all you have contributed. Those who submitted should have received a follow up email. The submissions show such a breadth of experiences and creativity, some uplifting some devastating. I hope I can do you all justice.

[aj @antoniajadeking]

This is what I looked like when a customer asked me why he had to pull his mask up because "there is no one here." Love to all my darlings in customer service. ❤

[SkintMuseumWorkers @MuseumSkint]

I don't know who needs to hear this, but FOH museum staff can tell when non-FOH staff are chatting to them because they want to be seen as people who care about lower paid workers versus those who actually do care about them.

[SkintMuseumWorkers @MuseumSkint]

@KathrynEveleen Exactly! I think a lot of people need to learn how to spot transferable skills from non-heritage work into the sector, and understand that many very able candidates won't have had chances to gain experience through unpaid work.

[SkintMuseumWorkers @MuseumSkint]

Lots of non working class people have shown interest in buying the Zine when its done, so I was thinking of putting together a page of advice for non wc people who want to be better at supporting their colleagues. So, WC people, what do you think I should include?

[SkintMuseumWorkers @MuseumSkint]

If anyone would rather reach me by DM with thoughts thats fine too!

[SkintMuseumWorkers @MuseumSkint]

Lots of non working class people have shown interest in buying the Zine when its done, so I was thinking of putting together a page of advice for non wc people who want to be better at supporting their colleagues. So, WC people, what do you think I should include?

[Emily Greenaway @EmilyGreenaway9]

@MuseumSkint Leave space for wc colleagues to speak and voice their opinions. I know I’ve needed more time and encouragement to input into conversations when I’ve felt inarticulate or not good enough.

[SkintMuseumWorkers @MuseumSkint]

@EmilyGreenaway9 Yes! this is so important.

[SkintMuseumWorkers @MuseumSkint]

@AttendantsView Argh this makes me want to scream. We had to be careful how much overtime we did because basically we were paid so little that we'd often get tax rebates, so if you did a bit too much OT you might end up losing money.

[SkintMuseumWorkers @MuseumSkint]

One time when I was a GA I had to work overtime at an evening event and I spent the whole night opening the door to Lords, Ladies and the Emir of Qatar while I couldn't afford a few pounds to replace my very damaged work trousers. Who else has stories like this?

[SkintMuseumWorkers @MuseumSkint]

@ThatAnnaLass AARRRRRRGGGGHHHHHHH Im so sorry, thats really frustrating. Did you ask if they wanted to help contribute to this necessary investment?

[SkintMuseumWorkers @MuseumSkint]

If you can, please show your support tomorrow for the Tate Workers facing job losses.

[PCS Tate United @Tate_United]

Love Art and Culture but hate the fact job cuts are hitting the lowest paid most diverse culture workers? Join us tomorrow outside Tate Modern! Support. Protect. Appreciate. Coronavirus ain’t no excuse to fire us! #agiTATE #saveTATEjobs

[SkintMuseumWorkers @MuseumSkint]

I had to wear tights under the trousers to cover the many many tears while hundreds of people walked by with handbags worth a lot more than my annual wages 😂

[SkintMuseumWorkers @MuseumSkint]

So many of us in the sector spend a lot of time bigging up out credentials for short term projects. Your qualifications and employment history do not have a bearing on your inclusion in the zine. This is just a zine to highlight voices and experiences of WC museum workers.

[SkintMuseumWorkers @MuseumSkint]

Just under a month until the deadline💕I've had so many fab submissions that have had me nodding and cheering at my laptop screen. Do share with the WC museum volunteers, workers and former workers in your life.

https://t.co/KQ1PdTwDkq

[SkintMuseumWorkers @MuseumSkint]

BTW if you do share this through a more professional network please emphasise that this is an unfunded DIY project. A few people send me quite formal cover letters and CV's which is certainly not necessary for this project.