Becoming a museum curator is a rewarding and challenging career, but it’s also one that requires an extensive amount of education, experience, and passion.
If you’re interested in becoming a museum curator, there are many things to consider before you begin your job search.
First, ask yourself why you want to become a museum curator. Do you love history? Do you have an interest in anthropology? Do you enjoy working with people? Whatever the reason may be, make sure it’s one that will guide your career path throughout college and beyond.
Next, consider what kinds of museums interest you most: natural history museums like Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County or art museums like Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. You might also want to look into working at historical sites like Colonial Williamsburg or Gettysburg Battlefield Visitor Center.
It’s important to investigate all the different types of museums available before deciding which type best suits your interests and goals. Each type has its own unique set of responsibilities for curators so make sure this is something you’re willing to do before accepting any job offers!
How To Become Museum Curator
Museum curators make decisions about what content should be shared in a museum and when. They are administrative professionals with a flair for creativity and a passion for aesthetics. The job outlook for museum curators is expected to grow faster than average. In this article, you’ll find everything you need to know about becoming a museum curator to help you determine if this is the right career path for you.
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What does a museum curator do?
Museum curators design, install and arrange installations in museums, such as an art or history exhibit. They spend their days negotiating the acquisition of arts and planning their installation. A museum curator might specialize in a special area of art or work broadly in museums that offer a variety of exhibits.
Curators aren’t only responsible for the exhibits; they also handle administrative duties around the museum and are often responsible for planning events, lectures, workshops and other activities centered around the artists and exhibits. A museum curator is an essential player in museum administration who liaises between administrators, artists and museum-goers to create the ultimate experience for people who enjoy art and other museum installations.
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The average salary for museum curators
The average salary for a curator in the United States is $16.94 per hour, according to Indeed Salaries. That translates to $35,235 annually for people who work full-time in the profession. Most opportunities for museum curators are full-time roles, although some could be part-time, temporary, interim or contract.
How to become a museum curator
If you’re hoping to embark on a career as a museum curator, here’s how you can become one in a few steps:
- Get your bachelor’s degree
- Get a master’s degree or higher
- Develop related skills
- Gain experience
- Get hired as a museum curator
1. Get your bachelor’s degree
To become a museum curator, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree. If you plan to work in an art setting, a Bachelor of Fine Arts offers a good educational foundation in practical art skills and art history. If you’re planning to work in a history museum or science museum, then a degree in a field related to one of those would be a good choice.
During your bachelor’s degree program, you can begin to gain experience with internships and externships. This will also help you expand your network, which can assist you in getting a job when you graduate.
2. Get a master’s degree or higher
It’s a good idea to seek a master’s degree or higher if you want to work in museum administration. A Master of Fine Arts will give you a practical education with lots of real-world experience in curating art shows for galleries—experience that will be invaluable if you decide to work in a museum. Oftentimes, people getting a Master in Fine Arts are responsible for getting their own art shown in galleries, booking art shows and more.
If your desire is to work in a museum of natural sciences or history, or some other kind of museum outside of art, a master’s in business administration could help.
3. Develop related skills
There are a number of skills to develop related to administration and curation. Here are some to consider developing in school or on the job:
- Software proficiency: Administrators in museums use office software including spreadsheet tools, databases, invoicing software and more.
- Management: Anyone looking to come into this role should develop management and leadership skills which can be refined in a number of workplaces.
- Interpersonal skills and communication: Museum curators liaise between various groups of people trying to create the best user experience and need outstanding communication skills.
4. Gain experience
During your education, you will be presented with a number of internship and externship opportunities to help you develop hands-on experience. Make sure to take advantage of these opportunities.
Look for positions in management or administration that give you experience in philanthropy, art, science, history or any field that can provide insight into the types of exhibits you might come across in a museum.
Museums are always looking for more help, so look for opportunities to volunteer. Unpaid opportunities like volunteering can offer invaluable experience and networking opportunities in the nonprofit and philanthropy sector.
5. Get hired as a museum curator
Once you’ve achieved the combined amount of education, skill development and experience needed to work as a museum curator, apply for jobs. Using a website like Indeed Job Search you can find museum curator positions in cities near you.
Prepare your resume before you apply, making sure to add all relevant experience and tailor a cover letter to each job you apply to. Something to consider when preparing your resume and cover letter is to select keywords from the job description and use those throughout your documents.
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FAQs about museum curators
Here are some frequently asked questions to consider before becoming a museum curator:
How long does it take to become a museum curator?
It can take five to 10 years, on average, to get a job as a museum curator. While some entry-level positions may exist, most museum curator positions are management-level. In most cases, you need about six years of school and three to five years of experience before you meet the minimum qualifications to become a museum curator.
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What’s the job outlook for museum curators?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the growth rate for museum curators is 9% through 2028, which outpaces other industries.
What skills are related to becoming a museum curator?
In addition to the skills mentioned in this article, here are some key skills you should develop if you are interested in becoming a museum curator:
- Meticulous organizational skills
- High-level critical-thinking
- Database proficiency and administration
- Physical stamina
- Creativity and technical art and aesthetic skills
- Detail-oriented
