Revisiting our community’s 2020 goals

Last January we asked the Museum Freelance community about their goals and ambitions for 2020. Little did we all know how the year would end up unfolding…

We thought it would be interesting to revisit those goals and catch up with freelancers who took part last year to see if they wanted to share any reflections on how the year panned out. Here are the responses:

Devorah Moritz’s goal for 2020:

“To make a positive contribution to society by connecting people to places, the past and each other through my heritage interpretation projects. And to learn life hacks from other freelance parents!”

Devorah’s recent reflections:

“Achieving 2020 goals:

• I developed an exhibition with a community group, which has helped them feel more connected to their own histories and to others.

• I advised, supported and upskilled the volunteer team, adapting processes and outputs due to Covid.

• Exhibition installation has been postponed to 2022. The client is aiming to engage audiences online in the meantime.

• The pandemic significantly affected my availability for work. I am proud of my achievements in the circumstances.

2021 goals: Prioritise health and wellbeing, connect with others.”

Miranda Ellis’s goal for 2020:

“I'm working on ways to expand my business and find more regular work that doesn't always involve writing lengthy proposals, possibly outside the heritage sector.”

Miranda’s recent reflections:

“2020 became a turning point for me as a freelancer.  At the beginning of the year, I was looking at ways to expand my business and potentially to branch out into other sectors.  The pandemic accelerated my thinking.  All of my museums work ground to a halt.  With no work and no entitlement to government support, I had no income except through my part-time job.  I re-trained as a life coach, hypnotherapist and NLP practitioner.  In September, I quit my job to devote my time 100% to starting my new business, Miranda Ellis Coaching, which launched in November.  As I build my practice, I will be moving away from museum sector work altogether.  I’ve enjoyed museum freelance work, but I didn’t like suddenly being cut off from my clients.  I am looking forward to my new business taking off and making a difference, helping people reach their true potential.”

Claire Adler’s goal for 2020:

“Some more longer term pieces of work.”

Claire’s recent reflections:

“In terms of my goal ‘to get longer term work’… this certainly didn’t happen.  However I am incredibly grateful that throughout 2020 I was exceedingly busy with the work I had and gained.  I have had to reposition my work again so that there is more emphasis on options appraisals and the redevelopment of heritage sites and mentoring, which means that delivering face to face projects has been put on the back burner again.  However I have every intention of picking up the face to face work again once Covid has left our lives.”

Sarah Girling’s goal for 2020:

“Make time to update and maintain business online information and make more time to network locally.”

Sarah’s recent reflections:

“The update of info on my website is partially complete, partly due to Covid and home schooling taking over a chunk of the year. 2020 was definitely one to remember (or forget, depending on how you view it!).

“But the other part of my goal for 2020, to network more locally, has been achieved through my work with the University of Southampton Arts Team. I was thrilled to get the role of coordinating their consultation work for an exciting project, Connecting Culture, and although we have had to pause now for the 2nd time, it has been a great opportunity to get to know Southampton’s cultural scene and the people that make it happen. I’m recognising I’m less of a Museum Freelance and more of a Cultural Freelance. I think I’ve gained more confidence in myself and what I’m able to achieve. This year I hope to continue coordinating the Isle of Wight Cultural Education Partnership - I hope that it goes from strength to strength, I’d like to ensure that Connecting Culture is delivered well and that it leads to further opportunities in Southampton, as well as my lovely Island.”

Rachel Moss’s goal for 2020:

“More contracts with existing clients whilst looking out for new opportunities.”

Rachel’s recent reflections:

“2020 was obviously a difficult year but I mainly worked with existing clients which was great as I knew them well enough to be able to easily negotiate deadlines when we had family bereavements and home schooling to juggle during the lockdowns. Also I was able to communicate via text when clients were furloughed short notice and unable to contact me via work email.

“I was really pleased that despite everything going on last year I managed to complete some research for Tate’s Young People’s Programme, and we are now working on taking forward some of the recommendations.

“I have started 2021 by talking with a mentor from the Group for Education (GEM) mentoring programme. I do a lot of mentoring myself but I felt after freelancing for 5 years that I wanted to be the mentee for a change. So I am currently thinking about my goals for the short term, and more longer term too.

“I am trying to stay positive but I do worry what the future holds for freelancers working in museums and galleries especially with staff being made redundant and even closures.”

Marge Ainsley’s goal for 2020:

“To take on fewer projects, which will allow me to build up my second business (Marge Bradshaw Photography) and dedicate more time to my adult caring duties.”

Marge’s recent reflections:

"I've learned that running a business should not come at the expense of spending time with family, or my mental health. And that means I'm going to be much stricter with what, and how much, I take on in 2021. I've also learned the importance of carving out time to think and reflect on projects, rather than jumping straight into delivery. And I've learned that it is (shock horror!) possible to have fewer in-person meetings - I'll certainly be more proactive at questioning whether meetings need to be conducted face-to-face in the future. Cutting down on our travel is such an important part of green freelancing, and this year shows that it can be done."