Research
Museum Sector Remuneration Survey
In 2010 Museums Aotearoa and Strategic Pay launched the first museum sector remuneration survey. The objective is to provide a credible, reliable and consistent methodology for analysing rates of employee remuneration within public museums and galleries throughout New Zealand, based on job size and job function comparisons.
In mid-2011 the survey was repeated, in what iwll continue as an annual series. The latest report, completed in October 2011, draws on detailed remuneration data for nearly 1,300 positions in 52 organisations, providing information on 27 benchmark job roles. In addition, the report includes analysis and trends nationally, and each participant client report details the competitiveness of their own remuneration practices. Museums can purchase the Museum Sector Remuneration Survey report by contacting Strategic Pay.
Information about the survey is available for Museums Aotearoa members here.
Museum Visitor Research
Information about visitors is essential for museums and galleries - for planning, programming and reporting.
Museums Aotearoa and Victoria University of Wellington are working together to establish a national framework to provide the museum sector in New Zealand with better information about its visitors at both an individual museum and a sector-wide level. The project began in 2009 with a web survey to gauge the level of interest and current visitor research activities across the country. Just over 80% of museums and galleries responding to this survey positively supported the idea of having a framework and more than 70% were positive about the idea of using a core visitor survey to collect data from their visitors.
With this vital support and feedback, a visitor survey was drafted and a pilot study run in early 2010. The main challenges were to make it as flexible as possible so it could be used by a wide range of museums, while ensuring that the information gathered would be consistent and reliable. Museums in the pilot group told us they were happy with the survey and glad they had participated. Lee Davidson and the VUW team gave a presentation on the pilot study at the MA10 conference.
In early 2011, over 30 museums participated in the first national survey developed from the pilot. Data from these museums is now being analysed. We plan to continue developing the survey to ensure that it meets the needs of the sector, while keeping it as simple and useful as possible for participants.
In August 2011, VUW will host invited representatives of government, universities and the museum sector for a symposium to consider issues of museum value and visitor studies, and explore the potential for further collaborative research projects.
Museums Aotearoa Sector Survey
Three museum sector 'barometer' surveys have now been completed. This annual cycle will build up data on trends over time, as well as provide the opportunity for more in-depth research in selected areas. This research will result in a better understanding of the New Zealand museum sector, providing valuable information to grow support for, and recognition of, the sector. The research will also better enable Museums Aotearoa to make a stronger case for the societal benefits - both economic and cultural - that are created by our sector.
Museums Aotearoa appreciates the support of partners National Services Te Paerangi and Local Government NZ, the expertise of the NZ Tourism Research Institute, and the essential contribution of all those who provide information.
Web Survey report March 2009
Thank you to all the museum organisations who participated in the third annual barometer survey in February 2009 gathering valuable information for the museum and gallery sector.
This year the focus was on collections held by museum organisations around the country.
The research was conducted by the New Zealand Tourism Research Institute (NZTRI) for Museums Aotearoa, with the support of National Services Te Paerangi.
Click here to download the Museums Aotearoa NZTRI Survey Report 2009.
Web Survey report March 2008
Following the pilot survey in February 2007, museum organisations were invited to participate in a second baromoter survey in December 2007, with a special focus on staff and volunteers. Thank you to all those Museums and Galleries who participated at a busy time of year. A full report was presented at the Museums Aotearoa conference in April 2008.
Click here to download the March 2008 Executive Summary or Consolidated Full Survey Report
Web Survey report March 2007
The results of the February 2007 pilot survey were reported at the AGM on the 16 March 2007. The good response from a wide range of museum organisations showed positive support for an ongoing museum sector survey. In July 2007 the initial report was augmented with further analysis by 'size' of institution.
Click here to download the July 07 Executive Summary (61KB) or the Full Survey Report (400KB)
Please send comments direct to mail@museums-aotearoa.org.nz
Careers and Skills for the museum sector
ATTTO has commissioned research into skills shortages, training needs and career pathways in the museum and wider tourism areas.
In 2008-09 the Career Maps and Paths project investigated career pathways and linkages between job roles in museums, tourism, travel and hospitality. Further information can be found on the ATTTO website here.
Background research to develop a skills strategy for the museum sector was undertaken by NZTRI and Projects International on behalf of ATTTO in early 2009. The summary of findings can be downloaded here.
In 2010 this research was used as the basis for a Strategic Training Plan for the museum sector, which can be downloaded here.