Museum Mercenary: A Handbook for Independent Museum Professionals

The first of its kind, this practical guide to freelancing in museums and historic sites has the tools and resources to help answer common questions and get readers starting and growing a freelance career. Topics covered include: oHow do you market your services? oHow should you develop skills? oHow do you find work? oHow do you set your rate? oHow do you handle taxes? oHow do you secure healthcare? oHow do you determine your professional standards? oHow do you track your work? oHow do you plan for the future? oAnd, most importantly, how do you do all of that while doing museum work that is informative, innovative, community-building, and inspiring? This is a toolkit for emerging museum professionals looking to build careers as freelancers. With anecdotes and examples from the field, Museum Mercenary focuses on how to pursue contract work with museums, historical societies, and other cultural institutions. This book provides practical advice for establishing your business, building your network, and managing projects to ensure long-term success and satisfaction. Use the tips and tactics in this book to navigate freelancing and then get back to the business of great museum work.