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Curator Job Description Template

Job Description Template

Curator Job Description Template

December 28, 2022

Curator Job Description Template

When you start looking for a new team member, you will significantly accelerate your hiring process if you use the appropriate resources and tools. Take this FREE Curator Job Description Template where we included the most important details and information about this position and use it to attract candidates that will fit into your business setting!

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What is a Curator?

Curators work in museums, art galleries, and related facilities where they research, collect, display, and maintain artwork, artifacts, art collections, and other valuable objects and pieces.

Their job involves a range of other activities, such as acquiring and recording artwork, artifacts, and other pieces, developing art collections, buying sculptures, paintings, and other items, and preparing exhibition proposals.

Curators also prepare the museum’s or gallery’s catalog, write articles for websites and publications, and develop guides and brochures.

Related Job Titles for Curator

The Top Curator Skills

Skill Why it's important
Research Research skills are extremely valuable for Curators. Extensive research, mixed with curiosity, helps Curators learn about various topics and expand their knowledge and expertise. Research also allows them to prepare for exhibitions and other events, examine history and facts about artifacts, and create cohesive stories.
Attention To Detail Curators use attention to detail in several aspects of their job. They must be able to notice the smallest details or damages on objects. Also, attention to detail helps them record and memorize historical facts and information about the artwork, as well as ensure all items are stored and preserved properly.
Verbal and Written Communication Verbal communication helps Curators interact and collaborate with donors, sponsors, employees, and other partners and accurately convey information. Additionally, expert writing is essential because they use it to develop exhibitions, prepare labels for each object in a museum, and write catalogs, brochures, and other written material.
Leadership Curators must be leaders because they are responsible for managing entire exhibits, tours, and other activities. Because Curators hold a vision of an exhibit, they must delegate tasks, manage timelines and budgets, and make decisions. Leadership helps them guide and motivate other employees and volunteers and ensure the smooth execution of projects.
Organization Curators must have excellent organizational skills to keep track of their art collections, valuable items, accompanying records and documents, etc. Organization also helps them keep order in museums or galleries and manage their schedules and activities. They also use organization when planning exhibitions and other events to ensure everything goes as planned.

Curator Job Description Template (Free)

We are looking for an experienced Curator for the museum who will lead and manage the daily activities of the facility. As a Curator, you will have a range of important responsibilities, such as developing art collections, researching and buying statues, sculptures, paintings, artifacts, and other items to expand the museum’s collection, designing museum displays to make them engaging and interesting, and planning and organizing exhibits and other events.

Furthermore, you will prepare and write content for catalogs, websites, publications, guides, and brochures, maintain records and documentation of the museum’s possessions, and hire and train staff members and volunteers for exhibits and special events. You will also be responsible for raising funds and donations from prospective donors and partners and collaborating with other museum departments, such as education and marketing.

In the end, you should have excellent research, written and verbal communication, attention to detail, leadership, and organizational skills.

Curator Duties & Responsibilities:

  • Monitor and manage the daily activities of the museum or gallery
  • Record and catalog artwork, artifacts, documents, and other pieces and objects
  • Research and identify various objects, pieces, and artwork
  • Prepare exhibition proposals and plan and manage other special events
  • Manage the institution’s art collection by acquiring new pieces, researching artists, etc
  • Develop new art collections to expand and improve the museum’s setting
  • Research and buy sculptures, statues, paintings, and other items to add value to the collection
  • Design collection and artwork displays to make them engaging and interesting
  • Maintain records and documentation of the museum’s possessions
  • Prepare written information for catalogs, websites, publications, guides, brochures, etc
  • Organize events to raise funds and grants to expand collections, support research efforts, etc
  • Perform administrative tasks, such as negotiating loan items, planning budgets, etc
  • Hire and train staff members and volunteers
  • Collaborate with other museum departments, such as education, fundraising, marketing, etc

Curator Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree in art history, history, museum studies, anthropology, archaeology, or a similar field
  • A Master’s degree or Ph.D. may be necessary
  • Relevant working experience
  • Familiarity with museum database
  • Strong verbal and written communication
  • Excellent project management skills
  • Detail-oriented
  • Leadership
  • Organization

Accounting Specialist Interview Questrions

Sample Interview Questions for a Curator

Once you gather up all the received applications, you can use these sample interview questions for Curator.

Personal
  1. What would you consider to be your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
  2. How have you adapted to changes or new challenges in the past?
  3. When did you become interested in art?
Human Resources
  1. Can you tell us about your education and relevant qualifications?
  2. How long have you been working as a Curator?
  3. Why did you choose this particular museum to continue your career?
Management
  1. What does your regular day as a Curator look like?
  2. How would you rate your public speaking?
  3. What do you find the most challenging when researching and learning about some object?
Technical Skills and Knowledge
  1. How do you accurately research the origin and history of an artifact?
  2. What would you do if you noticed damage on a particular item in your collection?
  3. What is your experience with writing articles, publications, brochures, and other content?

What are the Educational Requirements for a Curator?

The primary educational requirement for Curators is a Bachelor’s degree in art history, history, museum studies, archaeology, art, or a related discipline.

Larger museums typically look for a Curator who holds a Master’s degree, or even a Ph.D. in some of these courses.

A higher educational level allows candidates to specialize in a unique area, such as cultural studies or public history.

Candidates may also consider joining some museology organizations. These organizations and institutions can offer great hiring opportunities, as well as hands-on experience.

Some of these organizations are the International Council of Museums (ICOM), the American Alliance of Museums, and the American Institute for Conservation.

How Much to Pay a Curator when Hiring

Curators earn between $23,500 and $71,000 per year.

The median annual salary is $50,822.

Hourly rates go from $12 to $34.

The median hourly rate is $24.

Percentile 10% 25% 50%
(Median)
75% 90%
Hourly Wage $12 $20 $24 $31 $34
Annual Wage $23,500 $42,000 $50,822 $65,500 $71,000

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Frequently Asked Questions about Curator

 

What do Curators do?

Curators are professionals who manage the daily activities in museums and galleries.

They research and buy various artifacts, artwork, items, and other objects, design displays in museums, plan and organize exhibits and other special events, lead museum tours, and prepare articles, labels, brochures, guides, and other content.

Where do Curators work?

Curators work in public and independent museums, art galleries, historical sites, heritage centers, archives, etc.

How much do Curators earn per year?

Curators earn between $23,500 and $71,000 annually.

What are the necessary skills for Curators?

Curators must have outstanding written and verbal communication, attention to detail, organization, leadership, collaboration, and research skills.

Similar Job Descriptions as Curator

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