What is it Like Being a Woman Working in the Arts? (Ketevan Chitashvili, Georgia, ITP 2019
Written by Ketevan Chitashvili, Specialist of Cash Circulation and Currency Production, Money Museum of the National Bank of Georgia (Georgia, ITP Fellow 2019)
The cultural sphere has acquired new horizons, challenges, opportunities and significance for me as a woman in the New World. Adapting to these changes in my case has happened in such a way that it is difficult to find any difference in the role of men and women in culture. However, I should mention here that the previous generation are surprised by many of my behaviours. For example, that I travel, I concentrate on my career and I give it a lot of time. It is also a subject of criticism for people of my generation who are not active in the professional world, where I and other active women like me think a lot about implementing projects that will benefit the community. We, the representatives of various professional networks, are often the ‘first swallows’ and often become objects of criticism and exclusion (but we are successful in the end!!).
Culture has a great influence on human behavior and overall well-being. Museums are part of culture. For women working in museums, life is a collaboration, a constant education, a whole cascade of endeavors, the goal of which is one – to know ourselves and the world and try to improve what has brought pain and misery to people.
Professional networking is the most important in the museum industry because here I meet women like me who develop their own community worldview, broaden the vision of future generations and are strong and successful. They are a source of inspiration to me even in the most difficult times.
The key for museums is to educate future generations based on past experiences. The main segment is young people and you, as a museum specialist, have to master all the new technologies. In this case we, the museum professionals, face a digital challenge which is very attractive to younger audiences.
A museum specialist cannot be a person who does not think about developing herself and the community. It requires women to be constantly in shape and active. In developing countries it is difficult to give people hope, and you want it so strongly when you see how much effort the international museum world puts into human mental, physical and spiritual well-being.
I am glad to be part of those professional museum networks that prepare the public for a happy life and also participate in its creation.
I have a bachelor’s degree in financial management and a master’s degree in business management. Life was arranged in such a way that I moved from the profession of accountant to a museum guide. I loved my profession and it was very difficult for me to give it up, but I was lucky and I am now a specialist of the Central Bank Money Museum, where my theoretical and practical knowledge helps me to approach the case creatively. It can be said that my current job is a uniquely lucky coincidence for me.
All my conference papers are dedicated to the role of sustainable development of the cultural sphere in the economic empowerment of the country. I am glad there are people who view museums as economic agents. UNESCO’s modern vision is in direct line with my knowledge and experience, which makes me very happy.
Once I started studying art history, I realised that the development of art and culture is directly related to the economic ‘gusting wind’s of the countries. The cultural world does not cease to amaze me, and also the female characters I meet while studying art.
Museum professionals are always ready to plan projects that will help the community overcome any crisis, be it cultural or economic.
I think as a woman in culture we need to set an example for other women to overcome their fear of making mistakes and fight for their own goals. To test their own abilities and opportunities that the world offers us.