Emma Shepley
“Aspects of freelance life are revitalising and conducive to high quality work in a way that daily office life sometimes isn’t”
Freelancers’ Week 2023
Our sector is diverse, with individuals working in museums as employees or volunteers and with museums as freelancers and consultants.
During the week of 10 to 16 June, we celebrated all things freelancing. As part of this, we spoke to freelancers and consultants who work in different areas of museum practice, and we shared their insights about what freelancing means for them and what it might mean for you.
Working with freelancers
Take a look at our quick guide to things your organisation should take into consideration when engaging freelancers and consultants.
Q&A with museum freelancers
2023
Jenny Mathiasson
“You have to look after yourself. That's the most important part of the job, not the clients or the work you put on your CV”
Jenny Williams
“I think knowing what your passion and purpose is is key to thriving as a freelancer”
Jessica Starns
“I'm able to work on lots of interesting projects and have a varied working week”
Karl Mercer
“Having an interest in multiple topics and angles is vital, and those multiple perspectives are a huge benefit to museums”
2022
Emma King
“Working freelance requires a very different mindset to working as an employee”
Matt White
“Social media is full of people saying they've made lots of money in their first year. Do not believe a word of it!”
Claire Adler
“I would never have had such a broad expanse of opportunities if I had worked in a museum”
2021
Lyndsey Clark
Lyndsey is a freelance museum and heritage consultant who supports organisations to develop creative projects for diverse audiences
Eric Langham
Eric founded Barker Langham in 2005 and has led the company’s evolution into one of the world’s leading cultural practices
Colin Mulberg
Colin is a freelance consultant specialising in improving the visitor experience for museums, galleries and historic properties and sites