A new free-to-use platform to connect museum professionals with employment opportunities has launched in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on the museum sector.
MuseumExpert.org, aims to connect museum professionals who are out of work because of the COVID-19 pandemic with employment opportunities. The program has partnered with the American Alliance of Museums and is supported by Imagine Exhibitions, a leader in worldwide travelling exhibitions and entertainment.
MuseumExpert.org is a searchable database of museum professionals is a way for employers with immediate, long- or short-term staffing needs to connect with experienced experts who are available for work.
The platform is free to use for both employers and job seekers.
Connecting museum professionals
The global pandemic has had a huge impact on the museum sector, and many have had to make difficult choices in terms of staff cuts, as a response to the financial impact of prolonged closures and capacity limits.
This new site allows museum professionals who are looking for work to create a profile with details of their experiences. Employers can then search this database to find suitable candidates for any projects or vacancies that they are trying to recruit for. Registration is free, both for employers and museum staff.
“To meet the demands of our current world, as well as the imperative for transformation and innovation brought to the forefront by this crisis, cultural institutions will need access to the best and the brightest minds—many of whom are currently available for work,” says a statement on the MuseumExpert.org site.
“The site is designed not as a job search, but as a reimagining of how museums and experts can work together in new ways. Museums can search for professionals—locally or internationally—who may be available to help on short-term projects or to fill temporary gaps at a time when making new full-time hires may not be possible.”
Earlier this year, AAM revealed the findings of its recent survey of US museums, exploring the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The results show that one in three museums across the US is at risk of permanent closure.
