Hi Ed,
What an exciting decision! The answers to your question will vary quite broadly with the size of museum/gallery/organisation. I've worked in small and medium sized museums and we've always written our own interpretation. This would be a part of a broader job, which might include community participation, events planning, learning, collections management, etc. Museums of the kind I've worked in tend to operate on shoestring budgets for exhibitions but might recruit a freelancer to write interpretation for a bigger project (for example to ensure a consistent voice across a whole site).
I can't comment on what qualifications a 'interpretation only' role might require, as writing content is a part of the wider work I do.
If I were recruiting for a freelancer to write interpretation I would expect to pay approximately £200 - 350 per day dependent on level of skill and experience.
Good luck!
Eleanor
Eleanor Root
Collections and Learning Curator (Ipswich)
Colchester + Ipswich Museums
Tel: 01473 433550
-----Original Message-----
From: List for discussion of issues in museum education in the UK. <[log in to unmask]> On Behalf Of Ed Heel
Sent: 26 August 2018 17:12
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Heritage writing: careers advice
Hello!
I’m interested in making a career change, from technical authoring in IT, and one area that I’m interested in is writing or editing interpretive content for museums, galleries and so on. So, I have a few questions, that I’d be grateful if you could answer, please:
1. Do most writers work freelance rather than as employees? If so, would you normally start by working as an employee, to gain experience?
2. How do you get started? What qualifications, training or experience are needed?
3. What’s the pay like? Can you give any rough figures?
Any answers or redirections to further info would be gratefully received.
With regards,
Ed
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