Museum curator

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role

University

You'll often need a degree in a relevant subject like:

• fine art or art history
• museum or heritage studies
• archaeology or ancient history
• classics
• natural sciences
• anthropology
• education

You might also find it useful to have a postgraduate qualification in museum and gallery studies, or in a particular style or period of art or history.

Paid or unpaid work experience in a museum, gallery or heritage property is usually essential to apply for courses and jobs.

Entry requirements:

• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
• a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course

Entry requirements:

Apprenticeship

You may be able to start by doing an advanced apprenticeship in heritage and cultural operations.

This could lead into museum or gallery assistant or educator jobs. With further training and several years' experience, you could apply for curator roles.

Entry requirements:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

Work

Most people begin their career as an assistant curator, conservator or education manager before becoming a museum or gallery curator.

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Skills:

• knowledge of the fine arts
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• an interest and knowledge of history
• business management skills
• knowledge of how to teach and engage learners
• leadership skills
• the ability to use your initiative
• the ability to work well with others
• excellent verbal communication skills
• knowledge of English language
• to be flexible and open to change
• the ability to read English
• excellent written communication skills
• ambition and a desire to succeed
• active listening skills
• thinking and reasoning skills
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• the ability to learn through your work
• concentration skills
• maths skills

What you'll do:

Museum and art gallery curators manage collections of objects of artistic, scientific, historical and general interest.

In your day-to-day duties you may:

• select, buy or borrow items
• research, identify and catalogue collections
• make sure exhibits are safe, stored securely and in the right conditions
• arrange conservation and restoration
• help visitors to interpret and enjoy exhibits and collections
• organise publicity and fundraising
• give talks
• train or supervise gallery or museum volunteers or paid staff
• negotiate funding and the loan of exhibits

Location : You could work in a museum or at an art gallery.
Environment : Your working environment may be physically active.

Salary:

Starter : £18,000
Experienced : £40,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

38 - 40 hours a week

Working Pattern is weekends on a rota

Career Path:

You could work in small independent museums and galleries to large public sector and national institutions like the Tate or British Museum.

There are lots of different opportunities to move on in the sector from business management to public engagement and education roles. You will need to plan your continuous professional development and take advantage of the training available in the sector to advance your career.