Museums must ensure their complaints policies, reporting structures and escalation processes are fit for purpose, following allegations of sexual harassment and abuses of power by senior figures across the arts world.
No specific allegations had been made in public against any figures in the museum sector as Museums Journal went to press, but sources say there have been reports of museum staff being subjected to inappropriate and sexist comments.
Tamsin Russell, the Museums Association’s professional development officer, says it is good practice to carry out regular reviews of all policies, but external events can accelerate the need to look at specific processes.
“Reviewing these policies and structures sends a clear message that museums are committed to creating a culture and a workplace that is devoid of harassment, in whatever form it may come,” she says.
Russell adds that a full review of policies coupled with updated communication that is “grounded in recent events” should demonstrate that commitment, as well as raising awareness and understanding of escalation processes.
Allegations of harassment
The art world has been rocked by a series of sexual harassment allegations against high-profile figures such as Knight Landesman, previously co-publisher of US magazine Artforum, and Benjamin Genocchio, the former director of international art fair the Armory Show.
Meanwhile, in the UK, magazine ArtsProfessional has received 300 responses from across the sector to an online survey about sexual harassment. Early results show that 70% report being sexually harassed by someone in a more senior position, while just 21% of those that reported it to their employer were happy with how it was handled.
An open letter condemning sexual harassment across the art world, written in the wake of Landesman’s resignation from Artforum, garnered nearly 10,000 signatures before being closed. Published on a website called Not Surprised, as well as by the Guardian, it was signed by many working in the UK arts sector.
Irene Aristizábal, the head of exhibitions at Nottingham Contemporary, signed the letter to “support anyone that has been sexually harassed” but also because of the broader context. “It’s looking to destroy a system that, until now, barely anyone has contested,” she says.
“I have been part of many discussions about problematic behaviours in the workplace, but there have always been feelings of impotency when it comes to trying to deal with it when it comes from people in power.”
Catherine Wood, the senior curator, international art (performance), at Tate, signed the letter because of the many “weird grey areas” that exist in the art world.
“It feels like a significant moment in clarifying what is and what isn’t okay,” she says. “Why should women have to put up with these micro-aggressions every day?”
No specific allegations had been made in public against any figures in the museum sector as Museums Journal went to press, but sources say there have been reports of museum staff being subjected to inappropriate and sexist comments.
Tamsin Russell, the Museums Association’s professional development officer, says it is good practice to carry out regular reviews of all policies, but external events can accelerate the need to look at specific processes.
“Reviewing these policies and structures sends a clear message that museums are committed to creating a culture and a workplace that is devoid of harassment, in whatever form it may come,” she says.
Russell adds that a full review of policies coupled with updated communication that is “grounded in recent events” should demonstrate that commitment, as well as raising awareness and understanding of escalation processes.
Allegations of harassment
The art world has been rocked by a series of sexual harassment allegations against high-profile figures such as Knight Landesman, previously co-publisher of US magazine Artforum, and Benjamin Genocchio, the former director of international art fair the Armory Show.
Meanwhile, in the UK, magazine ArtsProfessional has received 300 responses from across the sector to an online survey about sexual harassment. Early results show that 70% report being sexually harassed by someone in a more senior position, while just 21% of those that reported it to their employer were happy with how it was handled.
An open letter condemning sexual harassment across the art world, written in the wake of Landesman’s resignation from Artforum, garnered nearly 10,000 signatures before being closed. Published on a website called Not Surprised, as well as by the Guardian, it was signed by many working in the UK arts sector.
Irene Aristizábal, the head of exhibitions at Nottingham Contemporary, signed the letter to “support anyone that has been sexually harassed” but also because of the broader context. “It’s looking to destroy a system that, until now, barely anyone has contested,” she says.
“I have been part of many discussions about problematic behaviours in the workplace, but there have always been feelings of impotency when it comes to trying to deal with it when it comes from people in power.”
Catherine Wood, the senior curator, international art (performance), at Tate, signed the letter because of the many “weird grey areas” that exist in the art world.
“It feels like a significant moment in clarifying what is and what isn’t okay,” she says. “Why should women have to put up with these micro-aggressions every day?”