Exploring wellbeing: experiences of museum professionals of colour

The MA is a long-standing advocate for everyone who works in and with museums, and we’re committed to supporting museums in creating environments where all professionals can thrive.

In 2022, we conducted sector-wide research to identify the current state of individual wellbeing within the workforce, and to identify factors affecting wellbeing at individual, organisational and sector levels. The research informed the launch of a wellbeing campaign in 2023, including a variety of related initiatives and activities.

However, within the research, museum professionals of colour were underrepresented. To address this, two discovery discussion sessions were held in June and July 2024 to provide a platform for museum professionals of colour to deeply explore and reflect on their individual and collective experiences.

The goal was to gain a greater understanding of specific issues and contexts, to assess what these mean for the sector, and to identify how the MA can effectively support the individuals concerned. This report outlines the insights gained from the discovery discussions and offers recommendations to enhance our ongoing commitment to create inclusive and diverse museums.

The report

1. Introduction
2. Findings
3. Recommendations
4. Methodology
5. Language
6. Support, resources and further reading

On the publication, MA director Sharon Heal said: “The Museums Association is committed to creating an inclusive sector and workforce and to do that we need to look after everyone’s wellbeing. It is worrying that global majority colleagues in the sector report feeling isolated and excluded as museum workers and it is all of our jobs to understand why this is happening and to do something about it.

“This report gives clear recommendations and strategies for supporting wellbeing and is essential reading for anyone wanting to combat racism in the workplace.”

Tamsin Russell, the MA’s workforce development lead, added: “Having deeper conversations with the sector as a whole and exploring impact helps us to create a culture of care. The generous sharing of lived experience through our discovery discussions will inform our next steps and will be integrated within our programmes and resources. We ask the sector to reflect and act on these recommendations within their organisational context.”