What Does A Curator Do?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Curators are

in charge of a collection of exhibits in a museum or art gallery

. Their job is to build up collections, often in specialist areas. Curators develop ways in which objects, archives and artworks can be interpreted, through exhibitions, publications, events and audio-visual presentations.

How much money does a curator make?

The salaries of Museum Curators in the US range from

$14,860 to $396,665

, with a median salary of $71,351 . The middle 57% of Museum Curators makes between $71,354 and $178,951, with the top 86% making $396,665.

What does a curator really do in a day?

People often ask me what curators do. Usually my answer is “

we research, collect, document and display objects

.” However, this answer doesn’t seem to satisfy people who wonder what really goes on behind the scenes in the museums and galleries. … It shows what curators do and gives an insight into exhibition development.

What do you need to be a curator?

The BLS states that most curator positions require a

bachelor’s and master’s degree in a related field

, such as art history, history, archaeology, or museum studies.

What exactly does a museum curator do?

The dictionary definition of a museum curator is

someone who manages and oversees a collection of objects

, most commonly in a cultural institution, e.g., museum, library, gallery, or archive.

How many hours do curators work?

Most curatorial assistants work a full-time schedule of

40 hours per week

and may need to work some evening and weekends.

What makes a good curator?

You need to be

bold, charismatic, fearless and willing to take risks and make mistakes

. Great curators will see around corners, embrace and expose unusual and unexpected themes and sources, and make bold predictions about their passions and beliefs.

Are curators in demand?

Employment of curators is projected to

grow 13 percent from

2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. … Continued public interest in museums and other cultural centers should lead to increased demand for curators and for the collections they manage.

Is museum curator a good job?

Although the pay can sometimes be low, and the hours may be long and varied,

curators often express very high levels of job satisfaction

. People in this role work on subjects they are passionate about, and they know what they do makes a real difference to communities, and to society.

How much do curators make hourly?

Wages* Low (5th percentile) Average Starting $19.00

$31.18
Overall $20.88 $38.52 Top $20.88 $40.16

Is it hard to become a curator?

To become a curator at a national museum,

a PhD is required

, as is about five years of field experience. The market is competitive, and academic standards are very high. Useful graduate degrees include restoration science, curatorship, art history, history, chemistry, and business administration.

Can anyone be a curator?

“Anyone can be an artist;

anyone can be a curator

. A curator is really a facilitator,” Roya Sachs, curator of the Lever House Art Collection and art director of Spring Place, recently told me.

What minimum education is required for a curator?

Students may gain valuable archiving experience through volunteer or internship opportunities. Curators. Curators typically need a

master’s degree in art history, history, archaeology, or museum studies

. In small museums, curator positions may be available to applicants with a bachelor’s degree.

Where does a museum curator work?

A curator oversees collections, such as artwork and historical items, and may conduct public service activities for an institution. Most work in

museums, zoos, aquariums, botanical gardens, or historical sites

.

What skills do you need to work in a museum?

Some of the skills most commonly sought by employers include

communication, team-working ability, honesty and integrity, and time management

. When I was first applying for museum jobs, I was able to find evidence that I could do all three from settings that had nothing to do with museums whatsoever.

What jobs are in a museum?

  • Admissions/bookings officer.
  • Archaeologist.
  • Archivist.
  • Conservator.
  • Curator.
  • Exhibition designer.
  • Exhibitions officer.
  • Heritage manager.
Jasmine Sibley
Author
Jasmine Sibley
Jasmine is a DIY enthusiast with a passion for crafting and design. She has written several blog posts on crafting and has been featured in various DIY websites. Jasmine's expertise in sewing, knitting, and woodworking will help you create beautiful and unique projects.