Curator

What do they do?

• Organize and manage exhibits in museums
• Create events and publications for the exhibits
• Negotiate to buy, sale or exchange pieces for collections
• Maintain records and databases
• Coordinate programs such as tours and lectures

Curators usually specialize in specific types of objects or specimens such as West African Sculpture, etc

Skills needed?

• Excellent communication skills because the job requires teamwork
• Organization skills to be able to coordinate multiple projects at once
• Ability to examine objects to determine age, origin and composition
• A passion for art history

types of curators

• Art curators- have degrees in art history
• History curators- degrees in general history
• Science curators- background of biology
• Live animal curators- background of zoology
• Fossils curators- background of archaeology

How to become a curator?

• Bachelor's degree in fine art, art history or a related field
• Usually required is a Master's degree as well
• Most students are not hired as curators right away
• Start out by working in another position in the museum first

Meet Travis Chamberlain

• Curator at the New Museum (New York)
• Notable shows include "Replica" and "Green Eyes"
• Has a background in theater and contemporary arts
• Strongly feels that performance should be a showcased 

Most curators work within a museum as they are responsible for managing exhibits and collections.

Some may also have to travel to obtain items for the collections.

salary?

• Larger museums end to have higher wages
• The average annual salary is $53,160

Average Salary by Museums

Association of Art Museum Curators

Their mission is to support the work of curators by creating opportunities for networking, collaborating and advancement.

Association of Professional Art Advisors

Their mission is to establish the highest standards of professional practice.

They provide a trusted resource for qualified advisors.