New Museum. New Position

I applied for a new position at a different museum last week. Much to my pleasant surprise, I got the interview. The position; Digitilazation Assistant, Curatorial Dept.
The museum; The Vancouver Police Museum. 

Unlike the Vancouver Museum, it's not civilly funded. Therefor, they're able to display much more of the quirky side of the cities history. From opium dens in Chinatown, to the building itself the museum is in. It operated as the original morgue til 1980.  There is a room left the way it was when the morgue was in full service. Cool and crazy at the same time.  Displays of historic murders, with the actual murder weapons, and edviance pictures on display. Very cool, in a voyerism way.

The interview went really well. I was prepared as I could be. They had asked repeatedly if I was comfortable working alone. Advising I was, at the very last moment, my gut said to asked if I could see the work space I'd be occupying etc.

Boy, am I glad I did.

I have no problem at all, working alone. However as they took me 3 stories down very narrow stairs with paint from whenever the building was built, peeling off the walls, (horror movie set come to life) we arrive in the basement. Surprisingly well ventilated, and enough light. Though, I started to wonder just how alone I would be working.

I would be isolated. Working 100% alone. There would be no other persons visiting my area, and the fact it was so far away, if anything were to happen, no one would know until they learned the alarm wasn't reset before the nights end.  The building being an old morgue, doesn't bother me. Really, it doesn't. Nor does it bother me that the museum is in the downtown east side. It is solely the isolated working conditions for a minimum 4 hours a week, unpaid.

The curator, archivist and the summer intern who's position I would be filling, interviewed me. All great gals, stylish, and not at all stuffy. Even after working at the NWMA for a year, I still expect people who work in museums to be stuffy, old, and hate their jobs. Twice now I've been proven wrong. Love it.

I have a week to think over the arrangements of the position before I have to give them my answer as to whether or not I'll accept the position. I'm trying to convince myself I could do this, alas, I do not believe I can.

I'll email the curator this week and regretfully inform her I won't be able to take this position at this time etc.  It's unfortunate its not an area or a work load that can be moved to another floor.  The second floor of the building is completely unused due to fire codes etc. If this was set up there, I would take it. At least you can hear people above you then.

I'm a bit sad about it all, as the unique inventory is so vast and exciting. And I won't get to be part of it.

I guess I'll return to the NWMA in November as planned.