The initial research, which informed the Museums Association’s ongoing wellbeing campaign launched in 2023, assessed individual wellbeing across the museum workforce and identified key factors influencing it at personal, organisational and sector levels. However, it lacked adequate representation of professionals of colour, prompting the Museums Association (MA) to create dedicated spaces for deeper, more focused conversations.
The two discovery sessions offered museum professionals of colour an opportunity to reflect on their lived experiences and challenges in the sector. The resulting report outlines these insights and proposes actionable recommendations to strengthen the MA’s commitment to diversity, equity and fair working conditions across the museum field.
Three major themes emerged from the discussions:
- Systemic racism and lack of representation
- Structural and institutional barriers
- Organisational support and individual wellbeing
Participants cited issues such as racism, unequal workload distribution, limited financial security, and a lack of emotional and cultural support. Leadership gaps and a need for greater accountability within organisations were also underscored. By amplifying the voices of museum professionals of colour, the report offers both reflection and direction. It calls on institutions to move beyond awareness and towards tangible, systemic improvements that support the wellbeing and career development of all museum workers.
To drive meaningful change, the report identifies five key areas for action:
- Foster a safe and inclusive environment
- Recognise and address barriers to inclusion
- Allocate leadership responsibility
- Monitor and evaluate wellbeing initiatives
- Sector-wide standards and initiatives
NEMO’s European Museum Conference 2025 will also deal with wellbeing. Save the dates 26-28 October for 'Who cares? Museums, wellbeing, and resilience', and join us in Horsens Denmark.
