What does a Curator do?
Published 3 min read
A curator is a professional who manages collections of art, documents, or other items. They may work in museums, libraries, or archives. Curators are responsible for acquiring new items for their collections, as well as preserving and cataloging existing items. They also develop exhibitions and educational programs about their collections.
Curator job duties include:
- Selecting objects for the museum’s collection
- Researching and writing about the objects in the collection
- Planning and organizing exhibitions
- Overseeing the care and preservation of the objects in the collection
- Cataloguing and documenting the objects in the collection
- Developing educational programs and materials about the collection
- Fundraising to support the acquisition of new objects for the collection
- Advocating for the museum’s collections
- Working with other museum staff to develop and implement policies and procedures related to the care and management of collections
Curator Job Requirements
A curator typically has a college degree in art, history, or a related field. They may also have a master's degree or doctorate. Many museums and galleries require curators to have a master's degree. Some positions may require certification from the American Association of Museum Directors. Curators typically have several years of experience working in a museum or gallery.
Curator Skills
- Art
- History
- Research
- Writing
- Editing
- Public Speaking
- Organizational
- Fundraising
- Marketing
- Event Planning
- Curatorial
Related: Top Curator Skills: Definition and Examples
How to become a Curator
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to becoming a curator, as the field requires both formal education and on-the-job experience. However, there are some basic steps that anyone interested in becoming a curator can follow:
1. Get a degree in art history or a related field. A bachelor's degree is the minimum requirement for most entry-level jobs in the field of curation, but many curators have master's degrees or even doctorates.
2. Gain experience working in an art museum or gallery. Many curators start out as interns or assistant curators before being promoted to more senior positions.
3. Develop a specialty or area of expertise. Curators typically specialize in specific genres or time periods of art, such as contemporary art or Renaissance painting.
4. Stay up to date with developments in the art world. Curators need to be well-informed about new artists, exhibitions, and trends in order to make informed decisions about what to acquire and display.
5. Be prepared to write and give lectures about your work. As a curator, you will often be called upon to write catalogues and essays about the exhibitions you organize, as well as give public talks about your area of expertise.
Related: Curator Resume Example