What Degree Do You Need to Work in a Museum?

Working in a museum can be highly gratifying, with a wide range of professions to suit a wide range of interests – far more than you may expect.

However, the sector is severely oversubscribed, and there is frequently fierce rivalry for paid positions. The current situation is grim, as many cultural organizations that have lost income due to the lockout are increasingly resorting to layoffs, implying that competition for paid positions would be considerably fiercer beyond 2020. As a potential museum employee, the most important thing you can do is prioritize your own health. If you’re still reading, know that the industry requires your expertise and enthusiasm.

They are administrative professionals with a flair for aesthetics and a love of design. Museum curators are likely to have a better career outlook than the general population. You’ll learn everything you need to know about being a museum curator in this article, which will help you decide if this is the perfect career path for you.

Table of Contents

What Does a Curator of a Museum Do?

Curators at museums create, install, and arrange exhibits, such as art or history exhibits. They spend their days negotiating the purchase of artwork and coordinating the installation of that artwork. A museum curator may specialize in a particular type of art or work in museums with a wide range of exhibitions. Curators are in charge of more than just the exhibitions; they also manage the museum’s administrative functions and are frequently in charge of organizing events, seminars, workshops, and other activities centered on the artists and exhibits. A museum curator is a key figure in museum administration who works with administrators, artists, and museum visitors to produce the best possible experience for visitors who enjoy art and other museum exhibits.

Working in a museum can be highly gratifying, with a wide range of professions to suit a wide range of interests – far more than you may expect. However, the sector is severely oversubscribed, and there is frequently fierce rivalry for paid positions. The current situation is grim, as many cultural organizations that have lost income due to the lockout are increasingly resorting to layoffs, implying that competition for paid positions would be considerably fiercer beyond 2020. As a potential museum employee, the most important thing you can do is prioritize your own health. If you’re still reading, know that the industry requires your expertise and enthusiasm. Curators decide what content should be provided in a museum and when it should be shared.

How to Become a Curator at a Museum?

If you want to work as a museum curator, here’s how to do it in a few easy steps:

Get your bachelor’s degree first.
Pursue a master’s degree or a higher level of education.
Acquire relevant skills
Gain experience
Obtain a position as a museum curator

Get Your Bachelor’s Degree First

A bachelor’s degree is required to work as a museum curator. If you want to work in the arts, a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree will provide you with a solid foundation in both practical art abilities and art history. If you want to work at a history or science museum, a degree in a field relevant to one of those fields would be an excellent fit. Internships and externships can help you obtain experience during your bachelor’s degree program. This will also help you build your network, which will help you find jobs after you graduate.

Pursue a Master’s Degree or a Higher level of Education

If you wish to work in museum administration, you should get a master’s degree or higher. A Master of Fine Arts degree will provide you with a practical education that includes plenty of hands-on experience curating art shows for galleries—an experience that will come in handy if you decide to work in a museum. People pursuing a Master of Fine Arts degree are frequently responsible for getting their own art displayed in galleries, booking art events, and other tasks. A master’s in business administration can assist you to work at a museum of natural sciences or history or any other type of museum that isn’t related to art.

Enhance Related Abilities

There are several talents in administration and curation that can be developed. Here are a few to think about developing in school or at work:

Knowledge of office software: Museum administrators employ a variety of office applications, including spreadsheets, databases, invoicing software, and more.
Management: Those aspiring to this position should hone their management and leadership skills, which can be practiced in a variety of settings.
Interpersonal skills and communication: Museum curators must be able to communicate effectively with a variety of people in order to provide the best possible user experience.

Get Some Experience

You will be offered a variety of internship and externship opportunities during your course to help you get practical experience. Make certain to take advantage of these changes. Look for management or administrative positions that allow you to gain expertise in philanthropy, art, science, history, or any other discipline that will help you understand the types of exhibits you would see in a museum. Look for volunteer opportunities at museums because they are always in need of more aid. Volunteering and other unpaid initiatives in the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors can provide essential experience and networking possibilities.

Obtain a Position as a Museum Curator

Apply for jobs as a museum curator once you’ve completed the required amount of education, skill development, and experience. Prepare your resume before applying for a job, making sure to include all relevant experience and customizing a cover letter for each position. When writing your resume and cover letter, one thing to keep in mind is to pick keywords from the job description and incorporate them throughout your materials.

A Museum’s Life

According to the Institute of Museum and Library Services, there are more than 35,000 museums in the United States. History museums, planetariums, botanical gardens, zoos, aquariums, science museums, and other institutions fall under this category. Education is the common thread that connects them. Whether it’s the fate of endangered animals at a zoo or the way light travels through the universe at a planetarium, all museums strive to teach the public about a certain field of knowledge. Museums have evolved into much more than instructional structures. According to the American Alliance of Museums, they are major tourist attractions, providing more than $50 billion to the US economy each year. Museums are among the most well-known landmarks in the United States and around the world. Consider the Smithsonian’s huge complex in Washington, D.C., the Louvre’s renowned design in Paris, or the architecture of the Guggenheim in New York City.

They are actual institutions, attracting millions of visitors each year and receiving significant financial support to run outreach initiatives, acquire new pieces, and increase their influence. However, museums do not have to be large to attract visitors and have an influence. Relevant, entertaining, and informative include, for example, a local museum displaying small-town Maine’s history in the lobster trade and an automotive museum in Philadelphia researching the history of vehicle production. Employees that are passionate about a specific subject area and desire to share their knowledge are needed in museums of all sizes.

Different Types of Museum Jobs

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has collaborated in museums across the country in various roles. Although there are many different types of museum jobs, the five most common ones are curator, archivist, tour guide, outreach director, and volunteer.

Curator

Curators are in charge of keeping a museum’s collection in part or in its entirety. They can sell or buy new items, pick what to store and what to display, and define the tone of the museum by choosing various exhibition styles and themes. Curators must have a thorough understanding of their field and may assist with outreach and public relations.

Archivists

Archivists assist in the preservation and preservation of papers, data, and other artifacts. They may employ various methods, like restoration, or store items in dedicated vaults or humidified rooms. Archivists frequently work with sensitive documents or artwork, determining whether or not they are ready for display and in what condition they are in. Archivists use spreadsheets and other organizational tools to keep track of their collections.

Guided Tours

The major objective of a museum is to educate, and tour guides are frequently the most direct representation of that goal. They give tours of museums, answer inquiries, and provide detailed information about artifacts, historical periods, and exhibitions. Tour guides must have excellent people skills and the ability to retain a large amount of information, which they can then share with visitors as they ask questions.

Director of Outreach

The link between museums and the general population is maintained by outreach directors. These individuals frequently play a significant role in securing funds and general support for a museum. School tours can be arranged by outreach directors, or museum representatives can go to the schools directly. They might also meet with potential donors to persuade them of the institution’s worth or organize fundraising activities.

Volunteer

Volunteers play a variety of functions at museums. They can work as tour guides and docents, meet tourists in visitor centers, assist with maintenance, or act as exhibition information hosts. Many museums rely on volunteers, who typically receive benefits such as free parking and access to special exhibitions throughout the city.

Working Conditions for Archivists, Curators, and Museum Professionals

About 35,000 people serve as archivists, curators, and museum employees. The following is a breakdown of the various vocations that make up archivists, curators, and museum workers:

Technicians and conservators in museums: 13,500
Curators: 13,400
Archivists: 8,100

The following are the largest employers of archivists, curators, and museum workers:

Museums, historical places, and other institutions of a similar nature 34% of the population.
Government is responsible for 24% of the total.
State, local, and private educational services account for 18% of the total.

They may work at a desk or interact with the public, giving reference aid and educational services, depending on the size of the institution and the job they hold. Workers who restore and set up displays in museums, as well as those who work with bulky, heavy record containers, may be required to lift artifacts and climb ladders.

Work Schedules for Archivists, Curators, and Museum Workers

The majority of archivists, curators, museum technicians, and conservators are full-time employees. In most cases, archivists in government agencies and enterprises work during normal business hours. Curators at big institutions may travel widely in order to examine possible collection additions, prepare exhibits, and conduct research. Travel may be rare for curators in small institutions, however. If their institutions are open to the public during those hours, museum technicians may be required to work evenings and weekends.

Archivists, curators, and museum workers must have licenses, certifications, and registrations

Although most employers do not demand certification, certain archivists may choose to obtain it voluntarily in order to demonstrate their knowledge in a specific area. The Certified Archivist credential is offered by the Academy of Certified Archivists. Candidates must have a master’s degree, professional archival experience, and pass a test to achieve certification. They must retake the exam or complete continuing education credits to maintain their certification.

Archivists, curators, and museum workers with additional experience

Candidates may need to work part-time, as an intern, or as a volunteer during or after their studies to get valuable experience. Full-time positions require extensive experience in collection administration, research, display design, or restoration, as well as database management skills.

Promotion for Archivists, Curators, and Museum Employees

Meetings, conferences, and workshops offered by the archive, historical, and museum associations provide opportunities for continuing education.

In-house training is provided by certain large institutions, such as the United States National Archives and Records Administration in Washington, DC. Top museum roles are competitive and in high demand. In major institutions, performing original research and publishing work is critical for advancement.

A doctoral degree may also be required for some advanced roles. Museum employees working in small institutions may have fewer prospects for advancement. Transferring to a larger institution with supervisory positions is the most common way for them to advance.

Important Characteristics of Archivists, Curators, and Museum Professionals

Analytical Abilities

Many of the things that archivists, curators, museum technicians, and conservators work with require exceptional analytical abilities to discover their origin, history, and significance.

Computer abilities

Because they use and construct complicated databases connected to the artifacts they store and access, archivists and museum technicians should have solid computer abilities.

Skills in Customer Service

On a daily basis, archivists, curators, museum technicians, and conservators interact with the general public. They must be polite, friendly, and capable of assisting people in locating materials.

Skills in organization

Archivists, curators, museum technicians, and conservators keep records and papers safe and easy to find. They must also create logical storage systems for the general public to use.

Technical Expertise

Many historical artifacts must be studied and protected. To preserve various things such as papers, artworks, fabrics, and pottery, conservators must apply the appropriate chemicals and processes.

Frequently Asked Questions regarding Museum Curators

Before becoming a museum curator, examine the following frequently asked questions:

What is the average time it takes to become a museum curator?

Getting a position as a museum curator can take anywhere from five to ten years on average.

While there are some entry-level roles available, the majority of museum curator posts are at the management level. In most situations, six years of schooling and three to five years of experience are required to achieve the minimum requirements for becoming a museum curator.

What are the prospects for museum curators?

Museum curators are expected to increase at a faster rate than other industries until 2028, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

What talents do you need to work as a museum curator?

If you want to work as a museum curator, you need to develop the following talents in addition to the ones described in this article:

Meticulous organizing skills
Critical thinking at a high level
Database administration and expertise
Physical stamina
Creativity and technical art and aesthetic skills
Detail-oriented

Conclusion

Allowing a museum to become your entire life is not a good idea. This place will take up more of your nights, weekends, and holidays than you may expect. It’s all part of the fun. You’ll have a sense of parental responsibility for your museum and your endeavors. You’ll be up all night worried about it. However, you must still check it at the door and schedule time for your family, friends, and personal pursuits. Read novels that are unrelated to your job. Attend concerts that your museum would never host. Every now and then, get out of there. Take advantage of your vacation days by not checking your email and staying at home while you’re ill. If you devote your life to a museum, you will burn out. Regardless of what your imagination tells you, the museum will not burn down while you’re gone.