How to become a Museum Curator

Museum curators look after, manage, organise, display and develop museum collections, and conduct related research. Museum curators usually specialise in a broad discipline, such as anthropology, art, decorative arts, natural history, social history, science or technology. Within that discipline they are generally recognised as authorities on one or more specific subject areas.

Personal requirements for a Museum Curator

Appreciation of the history of science, the environment or the arts
Patient
Able to pay attention to detail
An objective, methodical approach to work
Good oral and written communication skills
A good imagination
Aptitude for research

Education & Training for a Museum Curator

To become a museum curator you usually have to complete an arts or science degree at university with a major in a relevant area, such as anthropology, archaeology, fine arts, history, cultural studies, astronomy, biology or environmental science (preferably at honours level), followed by a postgraduate qualification in museum studies, curatorship or cultural heritage management.To get into the degree courses you usually need to gain your Senior Secondary Certificate of Education. Entry to postgraduate courses usually requires completion of an appropriate bachelor degree and may require previous museum experience. Universities have different prerequisites and some have flexible entry requirements or offer external study. Contact the institutions you are interested in for more information.

Duties & Tasks of a Museum Curator

Museum curators:

Acquire items for the collections in their care
Examine items to determine condition and authenticity
Identify and classify specimens, and arrange conservation and restoration work
Maintain records about all items in the collection
Organise and participate in display teams, which may involve travelling or arranging for loan exhibitions, or overseeing the organisation of in-house temporary exhibitions or displays
Initiate and maintain research and publication programs
Establish networks and assist other professionals on request
Lecture and write about collections and answer public enquiries
Supervise support staff and organise administrative duties associated with the use and care of collections.

Tasks

Researches items in displays and produces publications, delivers public lecturers and initiates exhibitions.
Examines items and arranges examinations to determine condition and authenticity.
Arranges the layout and lighting of historical, scientific or art displays.
Plans and organises the acquisition and display of material.
Manages organisations' central records systems.
Identifies and classifies specimens and objects, and arranges restoration work.

Working conditions for a Museum Curator

They generally work indoors in museums and art galleries, but they may be required to travel extensively on field study. In small museums, one curator may be responsible for the management of the entire institution and its collections.

Employment Opportunities for a Museum Curator

Curators may be required to travel to seek work.

Specializations

Museum Curator

Average age
45
Future Growth
N/A
Gender Share
72% female
Average full-time
41 hours
Weekly Pay
N/A
Skill level rating
Very high skill
Unemployment
Lower unemployment
Full-Time Share
67%
Employment Size
1,300
Employment by state
ACT: 12.6%
NSW: 26.9%
NT: 1.9%
QLD: 11.1%
SA: 6.3%
TAS: 4.3%
VIC: 27.1%
WA: 9.9%
Age brackets
15-19: 0%
20-24: 1.3%
25-34: 18%
35-44: 26.5%
45-54: 28%
55-59: 12.2%
60-64: 7.8%
65 and Over: 6.1%
Education level
Advanced Diploma/Diploma: 4.9%
Bachelor degree: 31.7%
Certificate III/IV: 2.4%
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate: 55.8%
Year 10 and below: 0.6%
Year 11: 0.4%
Year 12: 4.2%