The Growing Talent Challenge Across Museums and Galleries
Recruitment difficulties are currently faced by many museums and galleries around the world. As the industry grows, so does the demand for highly skilled and experienced museum and gallery staff. Many within the Fine Art sector are experiencing a number of problems in relation to recruitment of specialist staff. Despite the industry growing, there are not enough qualified candidates to fill the vacancies, with a number of organisations experiencing problems due to a lack of talent within the industry.
A Limited Pool of Specialist Candidates
A key challenge facing museums and galleries in filling specialist vacancies is the lack of a deep pool of suitable candidates. Not only is finding the right person for a particular role time-consuming and expensive, but there are also instances where suitable candidates are lost to competitors.
The skills required for museum work are often of a highly specialised nature which are not transferable to other sectors and organisations. The competition to attract experienced candidates who have the skills, experience and passion to work in museums and galleries has increased, especially senior and management roles.
Increasing Competition for Skilled Professionals
The fine art and gallery sector is no longer the only player competing for the best candidates. There are a host of organisations within the wider cultural, heritage and commercial sectors competing for museum-experienced candidates with transferable skills. Private collectors, auction houses, art logistics companies, other cultural institutions and commercial organisations are all looking for people with museum experience.
When trying to compete for candidates in the museum and gallery market, museums and galleries have to give prospects a feeling for the long-term perspectives for professional development and for good working conditions within the museum, and more than the job title itself.
Changing Workforce Expectations
As with many organisations, the museum and gallery sector is struggling to meet the changes in the workforce and recruitment strategies need to include elements of flexibility, employee wellbeing and also opportunities for professional development.
Museum staff are passionate about culture and heritage, but are also looking for opportunities for professional development in a supportive and dynamic working environment. It is also increasingly important for newly qualified candidates with passion and a genuine interest in culture and heritage to be able to develop their skills in museums and galleries using digital collections, and learn about emerging technologies. Candidates want to work for organisations that support their development to achieve their full potential in their chosen career.
The Impact of Digital Transformation
The fine art and gallery sector is changing in terms of recruitment due to growth in digital technology and museums going online and increasing online interaction with their audiences. Digital museum collections, online engagement with audiences and a variety of new technologies used for exhibitions, learning and interpretation mean that museums are now looking for staff who have skills to develop and manage digital solutions and who can bridge the traditional ways of working in museums with new technologies and methods.
Many museum roles are currently seeking candidates that have the ability to cross over between the traditional practices of a museum and the emerging new ways of the digital world. Technology companies, creative agencies and other organisations outside of the museum and art gallery sector are able to pay higher salaries and have more resources to devote to individual employees. As a result, the museum sector is finding it increasingly difficult to attract and retain these digital specialists.
Why Specialist Recruitment Matters
Recruiting specialists for museums and galleries requires specific knowledge of the requirements for jobs within the cultural heritage and fine art sector. By hiring a recruiter with such in-depth knowledge of the market, the employer can immediately access all relevant candidates, receive information regarding the current market as well as receive advice on forming a competitive salary package and creating a campaign to attract the necessary candidates to apply for the job.
Finding the Right Talent for Your Organisation
Recruiting museum and gallery specialists for your organisation has become increasingly complex. However, with the right strategy, up-to-date market information and an understanding of candidate expectations, the museum and gallery sector can improve their chances of recruiting the right people for their organisation.
For help and advice in finding museum and gallery staff then please do not hesitate to contact the team at Alchemy GTS on info@alchemygts.com or visit our website at www.alchemygts.com for the latest current jobs in the sector and other helpful resources.
