Verity Shillabeer
What attracted you to work in the museum sector?
Initially, I just enjoyed the benefits of museums as a visitor. I love a good bimble around a museum – they’re interesting, and I like learning. Then I found the fun of museum-hosted talks and lectures, which is probably what really got me hooked!
I volunteered at my local museum (shout-out to SMAG, Swindon Museum and Art Gallery) as a teenager, helping out with a bit of everything – from stewarding, to cleaning a large collection of vintage typewriters! This gave me the opportunity to get a more in-depth look into how well-placed museums are to make an impact within their community. Chatting to visitors regularly moved me; other people’s connections to collections are what really creates most of their meaning.
How has your traineeship helped you?
I’ve definitely benefitted from the people that I’ve been able to connect with. I’ve formed relationships with kind and inspiriting colleagues at the Museum of English Rural Life, and I’ve made new friends in the other fellows and trainees. I spent a while thinking that an ambition for a museum-based career was niche, but I’m now so surrounded by a likeminded community that I almost can’t believe I felt so lost and alone for so long!
I also think that Curating for Change deserves some credit for strengthening my application to what became my next job. I’m now an inclusive volunteer lead for Cumbria’s Helping Hands project. We are working to increase and diversify the volunteer-force of arts and culture organisations across the county. I’m excited for the future of the museum sector, given the fact that it’s been possible to have two back-to-back jobs in improving organisational inclusivity. If this is a trend, long may it continue.
What would you say to people wanting to work in the sector?
Have confidence in your own value! Whoever you are and whatever your background is, a museum is lucky to have your input and lived experiences contributing to the stories that it represents. This is because museums are meant to be for everyone. With each ‘thing’ that you can offer, there’s another chance that a visitor might see something that they relate to.