Overview of a Career as a Curator
For many individuals, collecting various items, preserving and arranging them to give meaning or to provide aesthetic value is a favorite pastime. However, for a few lucky individuals, the same pastime could become his or her career and the term ‘curator’ is used to describe an individual who’sjob profileis to “collect, exhibit, interpret, maintain, and protect objects of historical and aesthetic importance primarily in museums, libraries, and private collections.” In simple terms, the curator's task at any situation would be ‘to care’ not only for the individual objects but also for the collection as a whole and for its value.
Dutiesof a curator
Duties of a curator may vary depending on the person’s skill, place of work, the type of collection as well as depending on the employer. However, in general, curators should plan, develop, and present exhibitions while taking part in negotiating and buying exhibits and items for collection depending on the necessity. Arranging restoration is also an important duty of a curator while securing funding sources and therefore applying for loans and grants may also fall under the purview of the curator.
In some instances, curators have to take over the building of a collection from scratch and this involves identifying artifacts, cataloguing exhibition items, transportation, storing and displaying the items safely. Communicating with the vendors, workers, scientists, researchers, professionals as well as with the public is also the duty of the curator while they themselves might have to undertake research activities to expand their knowledge with regard to the present collection as well as on future expansions.
Taking steps to maintain the items in top condition is also in the priority list of a curator’s duties while hiring and training staff and writing reports and articles for publicity are also part of the curator’s job profile.
Requirements to become a curator
A sound educational background is a must for most curator positions while majors in areas related to Anthropology, Archeology, Art, Geology, History of art, History, Event or exhibition management, Heritage management…etc should propel the chances of being selected for most curator positions. However, in order to succeed as a curator, one needs to undertake postgraduate studies and obtaining a PhD in an area expected to be managed by a curator should increase the demanding power of the applicant. Previous work with regard to being a curator is also useful in securing a better job deal and many employers would like to know the applicant's achievements during such stints in order to consider whether the applicant is fit enough to take on the challenge.
Remuneration
In the UK, curators have the potential to earn around £16,000-£19,250 at the beginning although a senior staffer can expect to take home as much as £26,000- £31,000 as the career progresses.
