Sarah - Copyright Advisor

Sarah chose Museum and Heritage Studies as it offered both the theoretical and practical aspects of working in the museum sector.

My background is in fine art photography which complements my qualifications in Museum and Heritage studies. I chose the Victoria University of Wellington Museum and Heritage Studies course as it offered both the theoretical and practical aspects of working in the museum sector. The undoubted passion and depth of knowledge of the museum and heritage realm came through the MHST academic staff, who excelled at encouraging students to step beyond their limitations. I also found that during the course of my studies I had access to opportunities and professional contacts within the museum sector that have been invaluable for the progression of my career.

My first work placement was within the Photography Collection team at Te Papa and my main highlight was cataloguing previously unseen Brian Brake negatives. I also worked on writing and researching potential acquisitions within the Curatorial team at Te Papa. I later took the opportunity to volunteer for the Rights Advisor, where I contacted artists and cleared copyright for artworks within Te Papa’s collection. My experience working within New Zealand’s largest memory institution was an incredible introduction to the inner workings of a museum and has paved the way for my current role as Copyright Advisor at Auckland University of Technology.

After graduating with the Postgraduate Diploma in Museum and Heritage Studies I worked as a Collection Assistant, Photography, at MTG Hawke’s Bay and at Nelson Provincial Museum Pupuri Taonga O Te Tai Ao, where I digitised collections' objects and assisted with rights management. In 2015 I returned to Victoria University of Wellington to complete a Masters in Museum and Heritage Studies and through the further work placements and research that I undertook for my dissertation I gained specialist knowledge and experience in copyright licensing for GLAM institutions. Before completing my Masters I was offered the role of Rights Specialist at Auckland War Memorial Museum, where I was able to put into practice everything I had learnt through previous placements, study and other roles within the sector.

From my MHST studies and invaluable work placements, along with the support and mentoring from the academic staff, I have gained an incredible insight into the GLAM sector and hope to continue contributing to the cultural sector in my current role at Auckland University of Technology.