Frequently Asked Questions about Curator Careers

The qualifications needed to become a curator will vary depending on the type of position and institution. In general, most curators will need a master's degree in a field relevant to the collection, such as art history, history, or museum studies. They may also need additional specialized training in areas such as conservation, cataloging, or archival management. Curators will also need to possess strong research and organizational skills, as well as excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

A curator is responsible for the care and management of the objects in a museum or other collection. This includes researching, acquiring, cataloging, preserving, and exhibiting the items in the collection. Curators also document and interpret the collection, and create educational programs for the public. They may also be responsible for the financial management of the collection, such as budgeting, fundraising, and grant writing.

The salary range for a curator can vary greatly depending on the type of job, experience, and location. For example, the median salary for a museum curator in the United States is $50,000, but can range from $35,000 to $100,000 or more.

The exact education requirements to become a curator vary depending on the type of institution or museum. Generally, most museum curators have a master's degree in a field related to the museum's specialty, such as art history, anthropology, history, or archeology. Additionally, many museums require curators to have professional experience in museum work or related fields.

Most museums require curators to have a minimum of a master's degree in a field related to their curatorial specialty. For example, an art museum curator might have a master's degree in art history or museum studies, while a natural history museum curator might have a master's degree in anthropology, biology, or geology. Curators typically need to have several years of experience in a related field, such as teaching, research, or working in a museum in a related capacity, in order to be considered for a curatorial position.

The job outlook for curators is positive. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 7% job growth for curators between 2019 and 2029. This growth is faster than the average for all occupations. The demand for curators is expected to be driven by the increasing number of museums and other cultural institutions, and by the need for curators to help preserve and document artifacts and collections.