intern

attendant

fellow

control officer

guest service agent

Dallas Museum of Art

I have been working as a gallery attendant in this building for two years. For the most part, this job was easy, if you weren't the one responsible for handling all of the visitors. This job wasn't strenuous or draining, however.

I loved working with my coworkers; possibly the most supportive people I've ever met. They made my job fun and engaging.

My biggest issue here is management and how dysfunctional the museum can be. 

Management here was incredibly toxic- bad-mouthing their gallery attendants, being a hands-off manager, yet being very critical of their work ethic, and being slightly invasive to your privacy, especially if you try transferring to different departments.

Sometimes management is more toxic to certain people, so if you weren't favored at this job, good luck to you. There was a good chance you can get gaslighted here and be pushed to either leave or get fired.

They also had their favorites in the GA department, and it was blatant. I have seen managers, supervisors, gallery attendants, and some security officers hanging around and conversating in big groups while the museum doors are open. They essentially didn't do their job, meanwhile other gallery attendants, security personnel and supervisors did the brunt of the work, especially when the museum got busy.

As for the museum itself, a lot of people complained about the accessibility of the building. The infrastructure was withering away-the "technology" they implemented for things like parking, elevators, and automatic doors did not function properly, so it caused a lot of inconvenience for the visitors (they worked on the doors around the time I left, but the elevators and the parking booth problems are still prevalent.) This was the hardest part of the job- hearing the visitors complain right when they enter the museum, and not being able to do anything about it.

Do I recommend this job? No. I'd recommend looking at other positions within the museum (not in security). The people here are great; it's just the management in my department and lack of leadership that caused me to leave.

There's a great variety of tasks and duties, making each day exciting and different. About half the day is spent at a desk emailing, scheduling, and working with Office programs, Outlook, TMS, TAZ, and Raiser's Edge. The rest of the day could be spent leading interactive tours or gallery experiences with visitors of all ages, or going into DISD classrooms with the Go van Gogh Outreach Program. I had the pleasure of working with a range of people including staff, interns, volunteers, teachers, artists, students and visitors of all ages. My favorite aspect of this position was interacting with the public, especially teaching students. I learned to balance multiple tasks, converse with diverse groups of people, and provide engaging and informative educational experiences.

They never give you a set schedule. Will change your schedule in the same week. But claim they do schedules three weeks ahead. Will fire you over small things. Not informative at all to the employees. Ex: one supervisor will tell you one thing another will tell you something totally different. Very unprofessional management. Management is a joke. They do not care for the employees they try to put fear in them
Or threat to be fired over small situations that could be talked over and resolved. Hours are VERY inconsistent. They also have Favoritism to certain gallery attendants.

A typical work day consisted of planning for events, going through art work, and photoshop. I learned how to make art, listen to people well, and take charge in events happening at the DMA. The management and job culture was great. I made friends super quickly and never felt nervous or stupid. There was no such thing as a stupid question or idea. The hardest part of the job was sticking with a good time-frame. Events would creep up on me and I didn't feel prepared for a few days. The most enjoyable part of the job was making friends with my coworkers and helping run the events.

Flexible hours for students, but for those needing to make a paycheck and take care of business it isn't the best option. Full time GAs are given 35-36 hrs after break time is taken out of payroll. Some days are very long (12-14hrs) for special events. Has to be able to be on your feet for long hours and deal with difficult guests. It could take many years before a Gallery Attendant advances to a supervisor position and regardless of degree they prefer to hire supervisors according to age rather than qualification.
The art is amazing and the co-workers become family though.

What is the best part of working at the company?
You get to see all the art and meet some very interesting people.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
You will have large groups that come in and you do not know what people may do.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
The work environment is team oriented.  The culture is team oriented.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
A typical day includes going into the museum at 9:30a and then staff will place you in a Gallery.  You are opening the museum and closing the museum.  You usually finish work around 5:15p.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Great company great work atmosphere the only downside is limited growth potential 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Is the Lack of communication between staff and management 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
No team synergy between departments as well as between management and staff 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
8 hours of work  securing varying areas of the facility

Good place to work other than the budget did not support ongoing technology growth or education.
Most employees came straight from academia and had no concept of a for profit world and how important it is to invest in technology and support ongoing education.
Hardest part was the changeover in upper management. They all had to leave their mark and it always had to be different than their predecessors.
I like working in an art institution.

I have been at the Dallas Museum of Art for over 10 years. Depending on which department and individuals works in the hours can vary from 35 to 40 hours a week. The management style is pretty easy going. There is always someone there to help when needed. The hardest part of the job is often not having enough time to finish a project, especially when given at the last minute. The most enjoyable part of the job are the people.

What is the best part of working at the company?
You are around all the art and would normally have first look at incoming pieces.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Higher ups constantly threatening to terminate your position.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Stressful if you let it get to your psyche 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
I work nights.  Light conversations, regular patrols, and doing work assignments

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Intern 7 salaries reported	$15.00 per hour
Attendant 4 salaries reported	$14.50 per hour
Fellow 2 salaries reported	$16.75 per hour
Control officer 2 salaries reported	$17.00 per hour
Guest service agent 2 salaries reported	$15.00 per hour

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