Museums Commission Explores Qualifications And Career Paths In The Museum Sector

The Museums Commission recently hosted a virtual session titled "Museums, the Education Sector, and the Labor Market: Exploring Qualifications and Jobs Needed in the Museum Sector." This event is part of their monthly Open Talk series, which aims to engage specialists and experts in museums, heritage, and culture. The session focused on raising awareness, sharing experiences, and highlighting best practices in cultural heritage management to align with Saudi Vision 2030.

Dr. Al Sharqi Dahmali, president of the Arab Regional Alliance of the International Council of Museums (ICOM Arab), emphasized that museum management relies on three key pillars: development, protection, and employment. He highlighted that employment is crucial for museum operations and noted that the role of curators has evolved significantly. Curators now require specialized skills in collection management and related knowledge.

The discussion explored qualifications, career paths, and skills needed for museum work locally and internationally. It also examined developments in Saudi Arabia’s museum job market and academic requirements for nurturing national talent. Key roles and competencies essential for modern museums were discussed alongside global trends in digitization and exhibition technologies.

Hala Al-Saleh from Diriyah Art Futures underlined that museum career paths lack clear classifications due to evolving roles. She mentioned various specializations such as exhibition curation, museum education, collections management, digital archiving, visual experience design, and technical tracks. Al-Saleh also spoke about the Emerging New Media Artists Program aimed at empowering new talents through collaboration with international experts.

Al-Saleh highlighted how digital transformation has reshaped museum operations and public engagement. This shift has led to new specialized talents aligning with modern technology needs. The program integrates art, research, and advanced technology to enhance creative practices among rising talents.

Maria Alam, former director at Learning at Art Jameel, stressed the importance of motivation for those interested in museum careers. She noted some applicants hesitate despite the passion required for continuous learning and openness towards cultural collections. Alam pointed out diverse career opportunities ranging from diploma programs to practical training within the sector.

Strengthening Educational Partnerships

The session is part of broader efforts by the Museums Commission to strengthen partnerships with universities and research centers. They aim to support knowledge disciplines related to humanities and social sciences while encouraging advanced studies in museums.

Dr. Dahmali concluded by stressing the need for understanding visitor behavior through studies on visitor experiences. He advocated for creating engaging environments with comfort features and interactive activities to boost museums’ competitiveness globally.

With inputs from SPA