IV|THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2009THE DAILY TELEGRAPHART AND SCIENCE CAREERS IN THE PUBLIC SECTORCherishing the national treasures The Science Museum and Tate Liverpool are both world-class institutions that attract visitors from all over the globe. Gabrielle Collette-White talks to two people fortunate enough to work for them KATIE MAGGS, 28, ASSOCIATE CURATOR OF MEDICINE AT LONDON’S SCIENCE MUSEUM, LOVES THE DIVERSITY OF HER WORK “In this job there is no such thing as a typical day — I may be researching for a new exhibition, acquiring content from overseas or working with the design team,” says Maggs. “Whatever the project, I am constantly meeting interesting people and every day I learn something different.” Maggs long wanted to work in a museum so, after completing a degree in Classics at Warwick University, she did a brief stint of work experience at the British Empire and Commonwealth Museum, based in Bristol. She then moved to London and applied for a number of positions before being offered a post at the Science Museum as a visitor assistant. “It was a great way to get to know how the museum worked and I enjoyed meeting people, but I needed more intellectual stimulation,” says Maggs. “The great thing about working in a huge institution like this is that there is plenty of scope to move around and you generally know when job opportunities arise.” After a six-month stint on the museum floor she successfully applied for the position of assistant registrar, an administrative role helping to arrange exhibitions. Two years later, in 2006, Maggs applied for her present job and feels that she has found her niche. “I was lucky enough to get into the medical department even though I have no science background,” she says. “The essential skill in this job is to be a short-term expert so you can put your hand to anything and pick up new ideas quickly.” She is now putting together an exhibition on Formula 1 racing, showing 20 groundbreaking products that are benefiting from technology developed for the sport. She also works on late-night events for adults, looking at X-rated material from the medical collection such as an ivory sex toy apparently found in a French nunnery and a collection of 19th century human tattoos. With salaries ranging from £23,000 to £31,000 per year, she admits that working in the public sector can mean taking a hit when it comes to pay. “You don’t get into a job like this for the money,” says Maggs. “You have to love what you do. I have been given the opportunity to work in one of the premier science institutions in the world. This is a real privilege.” TATE LIVERPOOL’S ASSISTANT CURATOR, DARREN PIH, 37, REFLECTS ON THE CITY’S YEAR AS EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE IN 2008 “It has been a thrilling time to work in the arts in Liverpool,” says Pih. “In 2007 we hosted the Turner Prize, kick-starting the celebrations, and we haven’t looked back since. The Liverpool Tate is a shining example of how an internationally-focused arts institution can work in a regional context.” Describing his role as a form of project management, Pih is involved at every stage of the exhibition process from researching content to negotiations over artwork loans and the setting up of legal contracts. “The skills required in this job are broad ranging,” says Pih. “Having a keen interest in the arts is essential, but you also have to be a good administrator and able to manage a budget.” Initially set on becoming a painter, Pih completed a Fine Art degree at Nottingham Trent University before realising he was better suited to helping other artists stage their work. For six years he worked as an office manager at the Camden Arts Centre in London, but hankered after something more hands-on. In 2007 he left London, settling in Liverpool and commuting to Manchester University every day to do an MA in History of Art. While studying full-time he also worked at the university’s Whitworth Art Gallery. “I got wind that the Tate Liverpool needed a freelance researcher so I put myself forward. Not long after that I landed the job as assistant curator,” says Pih. “In this business it’s essential to grab opportunities when they arise — you need talent but you have to be determined and have bags of energy, too.” Three years on, Pih has no plans to leave the Tate Liverpool. Having always worked in the public sector he is keen to remain in a non-profit organisation, even though salaries are rarely as high as those in the commercial art world. The starting salary for an assistant curator is £19,300, rising to £25,888 (in the specialist band, greater in London). “Job security is greater in the public sector,” says Pih. “I am also entitled to a civil service pension and have flexible working hours. But most importantly it is a real privilege to be working with the nation’s own art collection. ”Art for art’s sake: Tate Liverpool’s Love Never Dies (Glenn Brown, 1993) and, opposite, Little Dancer (Edgar Degas, 1880-81) and the exteriors of the institutions@JOBS ONLINE: jobs.telegraph.co.uk/ careers-insiderCareers in Defence The Daily Telegraph will be publishing a free supplement dedicated to careers in Defence, published week commencing March 23, 2009.The Daily Telegraph is read by more than 2.2 million people, including 63,000 working in Public Administration Defence and Compulsory Social Security. Become one of our key sponsors andshowcase your company in an exclusive package tailor-made for high-impact exposure and, most importantly, attract the best quality and talent to your company.For further information, please call: London, Matrina Garnett 020 7931 3001 Manchester 0161 868 1074 or visit www.jobs.telegraph.co.u.co.uk NRS Jan – Dec 08 (People of employment age, part and full time)
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IV|THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2009THE DAILY TELEGRAPHART AND SCIENCE CAREERS IN THE PUBLIC SECTORCherishing the national treasures The Science Museum and Tate Liverpool are both world-class institutions that attract visitors from all over the globe. Gabrielle Collette-White talks to two people fortunate en
