Since 2014, Ithaka S+R and the Mellon Foundation have fielded the Art Museum Staff Demographic Survey in collaboration with the Association of Art Museum Directors (AAMD) and the American Alliance of Museums (AAM). We are excited to announce the continued collaboration through a fourth cycle of the demographic survey of art museum employees.

For over a decade, the Staff Demographic Survey has stood as one of the most cited quantitative studies on demographics within North American art museums. By measuring the demographics of art museum staff in a consistent, transparent, and rigorous manner, we have been able to provide data-driven evidence to serve the community with a demographic benchmarking effort that now enters its fourth cycle.

In the third cycle, we received responses from 328 museums, out of a total of 1,464. Seventy-six percent of AAMD members responded, as well as 13 percent of AAM (non-AAMD) art institutions. In order to gain more relevant insights on the current state of the field, we have made moderate edits to the data collection instrument and have broadened our invitation list.

We’re grateful for our advisory committee and their HR and operations colleagues for all of their support this cycle:

  • American Alliance of Museums
    • Marilyn Jackson, President and CEO
  • Asian Art Museum of San Francisco
    • Jay Xu, Director and CEO
    • Lia Maksoud, Human Resources Director
  • Association of Art Museum Directors
    • Christine Anagnos, Executive Director
  • Black Trustee Alliance for Art Museums
    • Diane Jean-Mary, Executive Director
  • Metropolitan Museum of Art
    • Lavita McMath Turner, Chief Diversity Officer
  • Native Arts and Cultures Foundation
    • Andrea Hanley, Vice President of Programs
  • Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
    • Julián Zugazagoitia, Director
    • Kelly Summers, Vice President, People & Culture

Cycle 4 opened on Monday, March 3, and will remain open for at least four weeks to collect 2025 staffing data. The anticipated closing date is April 7, 2025. We look forward to publishing our findings later this Fall.

If you have questions or feedback about the project, please email Ioana Hulbert (ioana.hulbert@ithaka.org).