Curators assemble, catalogue, manage and display artistic and cultural collections in a museum, art gallery, government institution, college/university, heritage center, etc. They build up collections of art, often in specific styles or time periods. Their work involves obtaining/assembling exhibits, purchasing works of art, arranging the restoration of artefacts, identifying and recording items, organizing loans, and dealing with inquiries. Curators work with colleagues in areas such as conservation, education, design, and marketing. They may also conduct research and present their findings or ongoing projects.
Education and Qualifications
This career is not tied to any specific discipline, but the following areas are relevant to this role:
Bachelor’s degree in
- Anthropology
- Archaeology
- Art/Art history/Arts Administration
- Art History, Criticism & Conservation
- Art, General
- Arts & Museum Management
- Event/Exhibition management
- History
Master’s degree in
- Museum and Field Studies
- Museum Studies and Digital Curation
- Museum Studies and Non-profit Management
Curators in large institutions who are responsible for managerial and administrative duties are expected to have taken courses in business administration, public relations, marketing, etc.
Responsibilities
The responsibilities of a curator depend on the size of the museum. Their responsibilities can include:
- Buying exhibits; doing extensive research on artwork, buying items and negotiating prices for items like sculptures, statues and paintings that can increase the value of the museum’s existing collection
- Developing and organizing new collections to expand educational and research facilities
- Maintaining records and catalogue acquisitions
- Designing displays and exhibits
- Organizing loans and exhibitions
- Researching, compiling, and preparing details about the catalogues and publishing those details them on museum websites to attract customers or the public.
- Collaborating with other institutions
- Properly preserving the collections
- Raising funds and grants
- Hiring/training staff members and managing volunteers
- Handling business activities like the budget, marketing, etc.
In small museums, the curator may manage the museum-wide functions on their own.
A Day in the Life
Curators work regular business hours (8am-4pm); those working in large institutions may frequently travel to identify and evaluate potential additions to their collection.
Daily routines include:
- Training and supervising various staff members including volunteers or interns.
- Authenticating and appraising artefacts
- Using computer databases to maintaining registration, catalogs, and basic record-keeping systems.
- Inspecting premises for any necessary repairs and ensuring that climate and pest control needs are addressed.
- Publishing details about the museum collection to other curators and to the public
- Planning/conducting research projects
Other Necessary Skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Excellent organizational skills
- Customer service skills
- Knowledge of fundraising
- Great teamwork skills
- Excellent research skills
- Computer skills to digitize museum details and publish them
Career Progression
Curatorial intern -> Assistant curator -> Curator -> Chief Curator
Salary
The median is about $60K per year.
Job Growth
Number of jobs: 13.5K (as of 2020)
Job outlook: 22% (faster than average)
6900 more jobs by 2030
Summary
If you are someone curious, dynamic, and driven by a passion for art in all its forms, this career could be very satisfying for you. Curators must be organized, structured, and detail oriented. Curators sometimes have a stressful job because they are constantly handling priceless art/artifacts and are behind all the extensive work that goes on behind the scenes such as loan forms, shipments, and negotiations with private collectors and institutions, etc. They must also meet tight schedules for exhibits, etc.
