On June 1st, 2020 I had the pleasure to host a #MuseumHour on twitter around the topic of success as a museum worker. #MuseumHour is a platform on twitter providing really interesting discussions and support for anyone working in museums. You can join Mondays 20:00-21:00 UK time by following the hashtag.

It might sound strange to think about a topic such as success during a pandemic and during a time where many are fighting on the frontlines for more justice. In my research and the many hundreds of hours of conversations I’ve been involved with, one thing became clear: success is always shaped by race, class and gender (You can find an ongoing interview series I’ve been conducting with museum and creative professionals here> or take a look at what I’ve been writing about art as labor>)

It is important to talk about inclusion and diversity from as many angles as possible and the longer I’ve been involved in diversity work, the more I’m interested to see what institutional environments do in order that people from underrepresented communities can succeed better. Because let’s say one thing loud and clear, the current systems benefit those who already come from contexts of privilege and enable them to succeed while those dealing with the oppressive impact of race, class and gender need to fight harder to succeed.

It’s been a fascinating discussion and I want to thank everyone who participated for their candid honesty and vulnerability in the answers they’ve shared. THANK YOU! In the following I’ve collected several of the tweets so that these conversations don’t get lost.

Q1: What does professional success look like to you? Visit the Thread>

Q2: What conditions do we need to be able to succeed? Visit the whole THread>

Q3: How Do race, class and gender shape professional success? Visit the whole Thread>

Q4: What are your thoughts around financial stability and success? Visit The Whole Thread>

Q5: What changes and actions need to be implemented in museums so that people from underrepresented groups can succeed better? Visit The Whole Thread>

Q6: Did your understanding of success change during COVID-19? How? Visit The Whole Thread>

Q7: What do museums and the whole creative industry need to implement Post-COVID-19 to ensure a more equitable future? Visit The whole Thread>

Q8: How do you cope with failure? Visit The Whole Thread>

Q9: What insights did you gain through some of your biggest career failures? Visit The Whole Thread>

Q10: What has been your most valuable advice you’ve ever got regarding your career? Visit The Whole Thread>

Q11: What is one thing you wish you had known before starting this career? #MuseumHour Visit The Whole Thread>

Q12: Time for some shoutouts: Do you have role models in this industry? If you can’t think about someone in particular, what characteristics does a good role model need in order to serve as a good example for you personally? Visit the Whole thread here>