Museum Curator
A Career as a Museum Curator
The High Museum of Art’s 28 acquisition four major French Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works was described by the museum’s curator of European Art in the Atlanta Business Journal as “one of the most important in the South East.” A museum’s reputation and popularity often rises and falls on its acquisitions. Especially in the case of smaller collections, the acquisition of new works and the preservation of a strong collection are necessary to draw in an audience. Acquisition, along with a laundry list of other duties, is usually the responsibility of the museum curator.
Curators work for museums, archives, galleries, government agencies, corporations, colleges, and even zoos. Curators are responsible for the arrangement, cataloguing, storage, and exhibitions of collections. The curator facilitates the sale and loan of pieces from a collection. Authenticating art to protect their collection from fraudulent acquisitions is a responsibility of curators as well.
Research and education are also a part of the curator’s job description. Curators often have various research projects and create educational programs for the community. Through tours, lectures, classes, and press releases, they work with the community in order to educate others on the value and significance of works of art.
Increasingly fundraising and marketing have become a part of the curator’s skill set. Many curators are responsible for promoting their collection through press releases and other publicity materials. Knowledge of grant writing and contributions to academic journals are common among curators.
Getting Started Earning a Degree
Most museums require curators to have a master’s degree in art, archeology, or a similar field. Many museums require a doctoral degree. Increasingly degrees in museum studies and Arts Administration have become more common. Such programs focus on professional coursework such as curatorial practice.
Academic degree programs such as art history or archeology may not prepare students fully for the management and development arenas of a curator’s responsibilities. It is recommended that prospective curators take courses or dual major in another field such as business, development, public relations, communications, and marketing.
Colleges and Universities
Art History and Fine Arts programs are available at most colleges and universities. Many online colleges allow students to earn a degree while gaining valuable work experience at a museum or art gallery. Online degrees in Art History or Fine Arts can be earned at the Academy of Arts University, American Intercontinental University, The Art Institute of Pittsburgh, and Westwood College Online.