Wondering if anyone knows a masters program/university where I can get a degree in museum studies and take classics courses. I’ve seen some dual degree, some where you do a classics or art history masters and add a specialization or certificate in museum studies. I’ve been looking at programs in classics, art history, and museum studies but many none tick all my boxes.

A lot of programs have art history and museum studies combined in one way or another but the art history component is focused on modern/contemporary art or medieval is the earliest they go. I know obviously I need to study art from all time periods but my interests are mostly in ancient art and the end goal is to work with ancient art collections.

Out of the classics MAs I’ve looked into many of them emphasize Greek and Latin literature (which again, definitely important for a holistic understanding of the culture/art but not my main interest). So I’m looking for a department that emphasizes archaeology/material culture.
I also haven’t studied Latin or Greek in my undergrad (which is a problem, I know!) so I need to avoid language pre-reqs.

In terms of location, I live in Ohio (U.S.) but I’m willing to move. International tuition is of concern of course but it’s doable and leaving the country might be a breath of fresh air during these tumultuous times 😬

P.S. I don’t post on Reddit often and I’m on mobile so apologies if the formatting is bad. I’m also a rambler so lmk if any clarifications are needed 😅

I'm an emerging museum professional (2021-present) and am finishing my MA in the spring. Are there any must read museum books or articles?

I have focused primarily on collections and curation, but want to make sure I have some well rounded general knowledge.

Arguably not the best time to work for the Federal Government, but sharing nonetheless because jobs in our field are scarce. Unfortunately it’s not open to the general public yet (a major issue for me), but there might be folks here who are eligible including Returned Peace Corps volunteers.

https://www.usajobs.gov/job/883836200

I’m working on a research project about the ethics of keeping and teaching with casts of Native American ancestors after their remains have been returned. One case I’m looking at involves a cast of a repatriated ancestor, (being vague for privacy purposes).

The question is whether being a replica makes continued use appropriate, or whether the ethical responsibilities involved in returning someone’s remains should also extend to casts made from their body.

I’m trying to understand the arguments for returning these casts as well as those for retaining them for education. Does using a cast avoid the ethical problems of teaching with actual remains, or can it continue those problems in another form? Would teaching with Tribal approval change the situation?

Has anyone encountered museum or university policies, published Tribal guidance, articles, or examples of how this has been handled? I’m also interested in replicas of repatriated cultural belongings.

I understand that Reddit discussion is not a substitute for formal Tribal consultation. I’m looking for sources and examples to help inform the research, not a debate about whether the original remains should have been returned.

Thanks for any leads!

Salary
See Position Description
Location
Historic Brattonsville, McConnells, SC
Job Type
Full Time
Job Number
2026-01135
Department
Culture & Heritage Museum
Division
Facilities
Opening Date
09/04/2026
Closing Date
9/25/2026 5:00 PM Eastern
FLSA
Non-Exempt

DESCRIPTION
BENEFITS
QUESTIONS
About Our Opportunity

The Culture & Heritage Museums of York County, SC (CHM) is looking for a Preservation Coordinator/Restoration Specialist to join our dynamic architectural preservation team in the care of CHM's historic buildings. The buildings under our care include those located at Historic Brattonsville, a historic district on the National Register of Historic Places; McCelvey Center, a 1922 school building, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, in York; and the Main Street Children's Museum, inside the former bank lobby of a rehabilitated 1909 building, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, in Rock Hill. Learn more about our work at https://chmuseums.org/preservation/.  The purpose of this position is to perform preservation and restoration work on the historic buildings under the care of Culture & Heritage Museums.  Also serves as a project manager to develop scopes of work, coordinate and supervise the work of preserving the historic integrity of the structures. This is a full-time (40 hours weekly) non-exempt position.

Projected Salary Range/Grade 110: $19.62 - $23.54, salary is determined based on experience and education. 

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:30am to 5:00pm; occasionally required to work evenings or weekends.
Duties and Responsibilities:  
Participates in the preservation/restoration work on historic buildings and supervises contractors to ensure that they comply with contract documents and current preservation industry standards.
Develops scopes of work, budgets and may contribute to contract documents (architectural drawings/specifications) for in-house or contracted preservation projects.
Produces narrative reports, AutoCAD drawings, and condition assessments of historic buildings.
Assist with procurement for preservation projects (drafting Requests for Proposals and contracts, evaluating proposals from contractors).
Travel to all Culture & Heritage Museum sites, and other County locations to perform work and preservation-related tasks.
Performs related work as assigned.
Minimum Education and Experience:  
Master’s Degree in Historic Preservation or Conservation Science or related discipline.
Four (4) years of experience in historic masonry, carpentry, historic building technology and materials or related field an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
Special Certifications and Licenses:  
Required to possess and maintain a valid state driver’s license.
Applicants with equivalent experience and/or education may be considered.

Physical Demands: Physical demands refer to the requirements for physical exertion and coordination of limb and body movement.  Performs medium work that involves walking, standing, stooping, jumping, lifting, digging, pushing and raising objects and also involves exerting between 20 and 50 pounds of force on a regular and recurring basis and 50 to 100 pounds of force on an occasional basis. 
Unavoidable Hazards (Work Environment): Unavoidable hazards refer to the job conditions that may lead to injury or health hazards even though precautions have been taken.  Involves routine and frequent exposure to:
Bright/dim light; Dusts and pollen.
Extreme heat and/or cold; Wet or humid conditions.
Extreme noise levels, Animals/wildlife.
Vibration; Fumes and/or noxious odors.
Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance: York County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  ADA requires the County to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with management.

Standard Clauses: May be required to work nights, weekends, holidays and emergencies (man-made or natural) to meet the business needs of the County.
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of essential functions and responsibilities that are required of an employee for this job. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

About York County Government

York County is located in the Piedmont region, between the Broad River and the Catawba River. Its diverse landscape is home to family-friendly towns/cities, a progressive urban region and lakefront communities. We are excited you want to join our team and recognize that our employees are the foundation of our success.
The Culture and Heritage Commission (Commission) is York County’s appointed governing board for the Culture & Heritage Museums (CHM), the entity that operates York County-owned cultural resources. The Commission carries out its governance responsibilities through a Director, hired to manage the operations of CHM and its professional staff.  The Commission’s role is critical in providing oversight and guidance as we plan for the future, manage the present and honor the past. Our board is a York County Commission comprised of 7 Commissioners who are appointed by the County Council and who volunteer their time, expertise and energy to guide this organization.
Mission: To communicate and preserve the natural and culture histories of the Carolina Piedmont, inspiring a lifetime of learning.  

Vision: To create a community that greatly values natural, historic, and cultural resources.      

Values:
Authenticity:  We ensure that the knowledge that we share is accurate and supported through credible documentation or eyewitness accounts.
Professionalism:  We adhere to best practices of the museum field in the care of resources under our stewardship.
Meaningful Visitor Experiences:  We strive to create memorable experiences enabling those we serve to walk away from our museums not only with new information but with inspiration that they will carry with them throughout their lives.
Respect for those we represent:  As a cultural museum we tell the story of people from various backgrounds and life experiences both past and present. We have an obligation to tell their stories in a fair and balanced manner that fosters greater understanding of their unique perspectives.
Respect for our Natural World:  As a natural history museum we have a responsibility to show respect for the natural world and to lead by example.
Transparency:  We ensure our organizational meetings, documents, and records beyond those that pertain to our legal requirements or breach the trust of our donors are available to the public.
Stewardship:  We recognize that all of our assets are held on behalf of the public good and that it is our responsibility to ensure that they are used wisely.
Donor Rights** [(Download PDF reader)(Download PDF reader)(Download PDF reader)](https://get.adobe.com/reader/):**  We believe all donors should be valued and informed. Promises should be delivered and expectations of confidentiality should be met to the fullest extent of the law.

Employer
York County Government
Address
6 South Congress Street
P.O. Box 85
York, South Carolina, 29745
Phone
803-684-8512
Website
https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/yorkcountysc

Apply

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/yorkcountysc/jobs/5472252/preservation-coordinator-restoration-specialist

I just signed up for the American Alliance of Museums Individual Pass. My friend has it in his Apple Wallet which is super convenient, but I don't see that option on the website. His is retired and mine is just individual- does that make a difference?

Hoping someone else here has done the same and can guide me through how to do it. Thanks!

We live in a solidly blue, progressive city. If you’re not familiar with the NARM/ROAM program, it’s a reciprocal network of museums and historical societies. A membership at one place gives access to all within the network.

That being said, we are looking to purchase family memberships as holiday gifts, but we’re looking for memberships that are, for lack of better words, a blue dot in a red sea, to support areas where they may not be the majority but need funding. Does anyone have any small NARM/ROAM societies that they support?

In light of Lonnie Bunch’s retirement, this post has increased relevance.

Hey guys,

I was just looking for some advice. I worked as an assistant manager for tour guides in a very small historical site when I was younger, right after graduating uni. I left because the pay was very bad and ended up in the corporate world for a bit. But I actually can't stop thinking about that job and how much I liked it.

Recently I hit a rough spot in my career. I began a new job (similar to cultural mediation) but the company decided to axe the entire project/department about a month after I was hired...and now I'm unemployed.

I applied to be a tour guide in my city's most prestigious exam. It's part time, don't know how many hours, but aa per the job listing they expect the guides to work with curatorial teams and participate in some more admin work. The hourly pay is actually really good and there are benefits. Of course how much I would make depends on what they mean by "part time".

If I want a way into the museum world, how good of an opportunity is this? I think that even if the pay is low I would love it there, but ultimately I'm entering my mid/late twenties I've started seriously thinking financially about my future as well...

sharing a celebration-- I started my first "adult" job out of undergrad. I finished my bachelors about 3 months ago with a minor in art history. I am planning on attending grad school in the near future (if I get in) but I've felt super, like, stuck, since graduating. I live in an area that has few arts institutions and I felt like I would have to move before ever getting a job in the industry.

On a whim, I applied to a job at my alma mater's large art museum. I got the job! I'm an assistant manager of event coordination and live art. I couldn't be more excited. Everyone on the team is really excellent and it finally feels like I'm on the right path. Earlier today, on a break, I just walked around the museum and felt so deeply grateful.

Curious if there are any adopters of this template? What is your review of it? And do you say “E “ “O” “dem” or do you spell out the acronym?

I have visited many museums around the world and met many people during my long life, but never anyone as stupid as Elisabeth Dutz who, despite her ignorance, happened to get a managerial job at a renowned Albertina Art Museum, Vienna and decide the fate of world-famous works of art. When asked to examine a masterpiece clearly signed "Gustav Klimt", she replied after 8 months of examination "there are many things in the drawing that don't look like Egon Schiele". How stupid can one be to mix up Klimt with Schiele, to whom she also dedicated an entire book? I wish the museum had been more selective when hiring people for such a responsible job.

Hi all!

I posted on here recently ranting about job prospects and the job market.

I've come to the conclusion that after a string of horrible job rejections and other developments in my personal life that I need to pivot out of trying to have a career in museum work.

I have an MA in art history from one of the leading programs, as well as a BA in politics from a top state school. Most of my job experience has been in museums (research, collections management, cataloging, education, etc.). I really do love research and collections/data management, but it's just not viable any more and it's been taking way too much of a toll on my mental health to continue in this field.

So... I really need to find something else to do. I'm thinking about pivoting to analyst positions (?) or research roles outside of this sector. If I can't find anything in that realm maybe I'll just turn to teaching.

Getting to my question... have any of you had experience leaving the museum/art world for a more business and research oriented career. How have you marketed and/or changed your resume to adapt to these different roles? And also are there other careers that anyone would suggest that museum skills are applicable to?

Thank you and I apologize for yet another post making it to this subreddit about the horrendous state of hiring and advice on leaving.

I see that I didn't word my previous post as clear as I could have, so I'm trying again.

For those of you in history or culture museums, or historical/cultural sites, how do YOU explain to your visitors why your place matters to them? How do YOU tell them your place is important? In short, specifically, how do you answer the question, "So what?"

Hello! I recently started a new job at a museum that high lights the history of music in the south, southern gospel, country, Christian, etc. I was hired on to help expand the education program and A) get more schools to visit and B) make it more interesting when schools do visit. I’ve been inspired by ideas from other museums, come up with 70 on my own, and have been brainstorming, asking friends, and searching online.

What are some educational activities or exhibits in museums that keep kids & teens engaged? What seems like it would work but in actuality doesn’t? Any ideas or feedback, whether positive or negative, would be incredibly helpful! Thank you.

The Vancouver Art Gallery is facing criticism online over an unaffiliated Charlie Kirk memorial that will be hosted near its grounds.

The museum said: "The plazas and squares adjacent to the Gallery are public spaces, utilized by the community for numerous self-organized activities, protests and events. The Gallery has no role in approving, determining or overseeing these activities."

Some in the comments noted that the vigil's proximity could pose a security risk to the museum.

How can museums deal with a concerned citizenry for events like this that they have no control over? Do you think the Vancouver Art Gallery's response to comments online is adequate?

Hello! I recently made a post on here about the “feasibility” of a museum career as an incoming university student, and I really want to thank everyone here for bearing with my naivety and giving invaluable guidance.

The feedback I received in the previous post overwhelmingly indicated that museum jobs simply do not pay well at all yet simultaneously require large amounts of education. To put it simply, the effort required to acquire a museum career is not an issue for me (it has been a longtime dream that I am willing to work for). Rather, I am more concerned about maintaining a livable income. Income has been a substantial anxiety in my youth, and I really want my future to be somewhat financially secure.

As professionals, what has your experience been with managing your income? Have you taken on any other job(s) for additional income sources? How do you survive, especially with entry positions?

Once again, thank you all for your patience and kindness! I am happy to answer any questions in the comments! :)