Curator: job description

Curators are responsible for assembling, cataloguing, managing and presenting/displaying artistic and
cultural collections.

What does a curator do? Typical employers | Qualifications and training | Key skills

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. Their work
involves buying exhibits, organising exhibitions, arranging restoration of artefacts, identifying and
recording items, organising loans and dealing with enquiries. All of these tasks require curators to work
with colleagues in areas such as conservation, education, design and marketing. In addition, they may
conduct research and may lecture on findings or ongoing activities.

Other typical responsibilities of curators include:

developing and organising new collections to expand and improve educational and research facilities

extensively researching, negotiating prices on and buying items such as sculptures, statues and paintings
that can add value to the collection

maintaining records and cataloguing acquisitions

researching, compiling and preparing written information about catalogues and publishing it on the
institution's website

collaborating with other institutions

ensuring that collections are properly preserved

raising funds and grants

interviewing, hiring and training staff and managing volunteers.

The specific nature of the role will depend on the size of the museum you work for. At a small museum,
the curator may also effectively manage the institution as a whole; at a large establishment, there could
be a number of curators specialising in different aspects of the collection and exhibitions. Self-
employment and contract work is common.

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Some curators may occasionally have the opportunity to travel, but the work is mainly during the day
and in one location. The work of a curator can involve some evening and weekend work.

There is some overlap between the role of curator and the role of museum or gallery exhibition officer.

Typical employers of curators

National museums/galleries

Local authority museums/galleries

Independent museums/galleries

Heritage centres

Qualifications and training required

A good undergraduate degree is usually essential for the majority of curatorial positions. Due to the
strong competition in this area, many curators also hold postgraduate degrees or diplomas and have
previous experience. You might begin your career in a more junior role such as assistant curator.

This area of work is open to graduates of all disciplines, but particularly relevant subjects include:

anthropology

archaeology

art

art history

arts administration

event/exhibition management

history.
Many (but by no means all) museums and galleries like to recruit staff with postgraduate museum
studies, arts administration or similar qualifications. The sector is becoming increasingly professionalised
and there are now a number of postgraduate programmes available.

Some museums run volunteer programmes or offer work placements, so anyone interested in following
this career should try to spend some time on such a placement. Experience in public relations would be
an advantage. There can be stiff competition for internship and volunteering opportunities, and you may
find it easier to gain volunteering experience with smaller museums and galleries than with large
national institutions. The Museums Association advertises internship opportunities on its website.

Key skills for curators

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Ability to organise, present and communicate messages effectively through design

Excellent project management and organisational skills

Knowledge of fundraising for cultural projects

Knowledge of working with museum databases and IT issues

Good teamworking skills

Excellent research and IT skills.