Museum Curator
Summary
Museum curators look after, manage, organise, display and develop museum collections, and conduct related research.
Duties & Tasks
Museum curators may perform the following tasks:
- acquire items for the collections in their care
- examine items to determine condition and authenticity
- identify and classify specimens, and arrange conservation and restoration work
- keep and maintain records about all items in the collection
- organise and participate in display teams, which may involve travelling or arranging for loan exhibitions or overseeing the organisation of in-house temporary exhibitions or displays
- initiate and maintain research and publication programs
- establish networks and assist other professionals on request
- lecture and write about the collections and answer public enquiries
- supervise support staff and organise administrative duties associated with the use and care of the collection.
Specialisations
Museum Education Officer
A museum education officer initiates, develops and administers special programs to inform and educate visiting school classes and other sections of the public about the collections and exhibitions. Education officers may also organise and travel with mobile exhibitions to suburban or country areas. Education officers often combine previous career experience in education, learning or community development work with a career in museums.
Working Conditions
Museum curators work mainly indoors in museums and art galleries, but they may be required to travel extensively on field study. In small museums, one curator may be responsible for the management of the entire institution and its collections.
Personal Requirements
- appreciation of the history of science, the environment or the arts
- patience
- able to pay attention to detail
- an objective, methodical approach to work
- good oral and written communication skills
- a good imagination
- demonstrated ability for scholarly work.
