Hi,
I would be interested to see what comes of the Arts Council and LONAS. It
would be great if ACE took a proactive approach with freelancers. Networking
freelancers (we have tried it in Yorkshire) and it always seems to come down
to the same problem - who is going to do it? I think people are willing but
if you volunteer and organise the network then it's a lot of time you aren't
spending on your own business and not getting paid. Along with the mates
rates, unpaid curatorial advisor work and mentoring that I know lots of
freelancers also do, there's a limit to what you can do. So if an
organisation can take on this role that would be fab. With regards to the
GEM freelance list - I don't think Maggie gets paid to do it, so we all
either pitch in and support her, or we find some form of funding.
Freelancing is a hidden aspect of the museum sector - but it needs to be
kept healthy like the rest, and it's not just a question of rates. As more
people are likely to take it up in the future, surely it's an area that
needs to be working to certain standards to ensure the quality of work that
museums need. Now that's not just an issue for freelancers, but also for the
heritage community that is using freelancers. How do you ensure you get the
quality you are looking for?
Ali Bodley
-----Original Message-----
From: List for discussion of issues in museum education in the UK.
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Bridget McKenzie
Sent: 16 January 2011 17:39
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: FW: Networking Freelancers with Museums
Hello
I just want to jump in here as Peter has raised the idea of creating an
alternative LONSAS. We were the contracted consultants (not
freelancers!) who did a review of LONSAS (which is now Education Arts
Service, covering 2 regions and intending to go national) and also did a
piece of work to advise ACE on strategic commissioning of online services
for cultural and creative education.
We anticipated that ACE might take on MLA functions, since confirmed and on
its way next year. We strongly recommended that a proper join-up of arts and
cultural heritage education services would serve both educational users and
service providers much better. We suggested that LONSAS should be expanded
nationally and to integrate arts and the MLA/heritage sectors. So, if you're
not registered on LONSAS/EAS, do register yourself and let them know how
they could serve the MLA/heritage sector providers.
By the way, just to say, I think GEM serves freelancers pretty well when the
e-list is used for debates like this.
Best wishes
Bridget McKenzie
www.flowassociates.com
Quoting "Peter Kyte (FOTOG)" <[log in to unmask]>:
> I have been following the discussion on freelancing with great interest.
> Personally I feel that we need a further dimension to the discussions
> and that is the need to network freelancers more effectively with
> museums. I don't feel that the current Freelancers list on the GEM
> website does a good job....
>
> The best example of what might be done that I know of is the London
> School Arts Service, which matches schools to artists. Please all take
> time to have a look, as an example, at my entry on the LONSAS website
>
(http://www.lonsas.org.uk/arts_directory_detail.aspx?OrganisationID=3564)...
> . it has got a portfolio of images and references and allows for
> testimonials too. It is an excellent showcase for my work...
>
> One contributor suggested that as museums pare down their budgets
> freelancers might be used more... Shouldn't we all be putting a big
> effort into doing something like the LONSAS website which would (a)
> get us more work and (b) provide a foundation for better rates...???
>
> I am sure it would be worth finding funds for a much improved
> networking facility....
>
> Regards,
>
> Peter Kyte
> www.fotog.info
>
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