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Jan 10, 2022

How we plan a #MuseumHour discussion. A thread. 🧵 We choose a topic which we think would be fun to host and check the MH Guide (linked in our bio) to see if it'll fit into one of the key themes. Todays theme is on goal setting and so we chose #OurPractice.

I was unable to join in last week...there's so much to say but collaborate and support fellow museum and culture organisations is at the top #museumhour

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May 6

A little thread from Monday, to add tips for museums that are balancing getting much needed funds (business needs) and still remaining accessible with good value. What are your thoughts? #MuseumHour twitter.com/museumhour/sta…

May 6

A little thread from Monday, to add tips for museums that are balancing getting much needed funds (business needs) and still remaining accessible with good value. What are your thoughts? #MuseumHour

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Q4. How can museums ensure they're getting much needed funds to stay open, whilst still making sure they remain accessible and good value? #MuseumHour

May 5

Why Instagram? It gives us more opportunity to reach new audiences by using another platform to share good practice and have important sector discussions. It also keeps things fresh, by introducing more content across the two platforms without feeling too similar. #MuseumHour

We also have an instagram! Link: instagram.com/museumhour #MuseumHour / #MuseumExtra

You can still read and get involved with this discussion at later dates by using our hashtag #MuseumHour

Is cost of living making it more difficult to work in the museum sector? Monday’s live #MuseumHour discussion looked at the impact that the cost of living crisis is having on museums, museum staff and museum visitors.

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Q3. To what extent do you think the cost of living will impact peoples decision to stay working in, or join the museum sector? #MuseumHour

Also casually dropping this in here, but when you increase your employees salary because the cost of living is rising and you’re legally required to do so… this is NOT you committing to better and more fair pay. It’s not a subsidy. Pay needs to be fair beforehand. #MuseumHour

May 5

Our organiser Hannah is looking into ways we can enjoy more #MuseumHour content, and what that might look like on another platform. She’d love to hear some of your thoughts.

#MuseumExtra - a new idea that could take some of the fascinating #MuseumHour conversations cross-platform.

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Hannah Rose

@HannahRMather

May 5

Dear pals, I'm playing around with an idea which could take the #MuseumHour concept cross platform for some Instagram live sessions (in addition to the usual MH discussions). In these sessions we'd talk about meaningful projects that people are creating in the arts sector.

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May 2

Catch up with last nights #MuseumHour discussion by checking back on the hashtag.

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North East Emerging Arts + Culture Network

Q1. What do you think are the biggest challenges museums and heritage sites are facing due the cost of living crisis? #MuseumHour

MuseumHour Retweeted

@NEEACN

A #MuseumHour discussion that might possibly be of interest to emerging professionals. 👇

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Q3. To what extent do you think the cost of living will impact peoples decision to stay working in, or join the museum sector? #MuseumHour

#MuseumHour that's all we have time for tonight but thanks for joining us, and stay tuned for more important discussions coming soon... and a little something that's in the works.

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#MuseumHour A4: Honestly think we need serious, in depth audience research to understand what our visitors feel is 'good value' instead of making assumptions. We need to listen & offer what people want & need, in return for their support.

During difficult times good partnerships can be helpful. Please share some examples of businesses working with museums to try and make them more accessible during this period. #MuseumHour

Absolutely. #MuseumHour

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Christine Evans

@chrissie2504

Replying to @museumhour

Investing in their staffing resource is key and making sure they are trained to be able to source and apply for funding to support this

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A3: I’ve been seriously considering getting a Saturday job on top of my full time museum job. But also to echo others, there seem to be a lot more temporary contracts as the sectors seems to be hedging it’s bets a little and not committing to permanent roles #MuseumHour

Q5. What funding is available to help museums during this difficult time? And what do you think the risks would be if extra funding can't be secured? #MuseumHour

I love this idea. 💚 #MuseumHour

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Dr. Megan Ennes

@AFishNamedMeg

The Privilege of Low Pay: Informal Educators’ Perspectives on Workforce Equity and Diversity

Replying to @museumhour

In the US, we have @MuseumsForAll which offers reduced or free admission for folks receiving food assistance at participating museums

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and

A3. It absolutely will impact folks. We conducted a study in 2021 and almost half the participants were considering going back to school or switching careers and it and you’re right it impacts the demographics of our field

tandfonline.com

Despite attempts to diversify the informal science education workforce, institutions like museums, zoos, and aquariums continue to be places of privilege where few can afford to make education a li...

Q4. How can museums ensure they're getting much needed funds to stay open, whilst still making sure they remain accessible and good value? #MuseumHour

This is a genuine shared concern. #MuseumHour

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Claire Whitbread

@ClaireWhitters

Replying to @museumhour

A3. I think it's likely to make the sector even more narrow in terms of demographics! #MuseumHour

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A3. Let’s face it our sector has never been well paid but I think with the cost of living increasing there are more temporary contracts around at the moment and I know places where people have left & jobs have not been re-recruited for #MuseumHour

Q3. To what extent do you think the cost of living will impact peoples decision to stay working in, or join the museum sector? #MuseumHour

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A2. Offering other services like Food banks, alongside invitations to come into a warm welcoming space for a cuppa #MuseumHour

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A1 Probably depends on your department but from a non visitor perspective, being able to plan budgets when the prices don't stop going up is a real nightmare! #MuseumHour

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A1 Larger energy bills - good to see some organisations were inviting in local community last winter to come inside & warm up & have a cuppa. But these are massive increased costs. Do you charge & maybe some cannot afford to come or keep free & hope for other spend? #MuseumHour

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A1 #MuseumHour I think loss of income due to less people having as much disposable income available. Museums are already competing for peoples leisure time and particularly in instances where entry isn’t free to a museum this can be costly to visitors. 1/2

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A1: Balancing the fact that both museums and our visitors have less funds available, so trying to stay afloat whilst understanding that we need to be an affordable option #MuseumHour

Q2. What practices have you seen museum and heritage sites introduce to help visitors, who may be struggling with the cost of living crisis. #MuseumHour

Q1. What do you think are the biggest challenges museums and heritage sites are facing due the cost of living crisis? #MuseumHour

It’s the final countdown. Have you got your favourite drink and some snacks ready? #MuseumHour will be live in 5 mins. ☕️ 🫖 🍰

30 minutes until we're live on this bank holiday Monday, for an important discussion on the cost of living crisis. #MuseumHour

1 hour to until we're back with a #MuseumHour discussion on the impact of the Cost of Living Crisis on museums and their visitors. Who'll be joining us live?

Tomorrow #MuseumHour is back at 8pm UK time, and we’ll be discussing the impact that the cost of living crisis has had on #Museums and their visitors.

Apr 30

Tomorrow #MuseumHour is back at 8pm UK time, and we’ll be discussing the impact that the cost of living crisis has had on #Museums and their visitors.

Apr 3

#MuseumHour will be back Monday 1 May, following a brief hiatus. We’ll be discussing the impact of the cost of living crisis on Museums and our visitors at 8pm UK time. Stay tuned for further announcements over the course of this month.