Will “Curators” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

Job Description

Administer collections, such as artwork, collectibles, historic items, or scientific specimens of museums or other institutions. May conduct instructional, research, or public service activities of institution.

Job Details

• The SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) code is 25-4012.00
• The Mean Annual Wage in the U.S. is $ 58,910.00
• The Mean Hourly Wage is $ 28.00
• Currently, there are 11,170 people on this job

Also Known As…

• Museum Curator
• Gallery Director
• Exhibits Curator
• Exhibitions Curator
• Curator of Education
• Curator of Collections
• Curator
• Collections Manager
• Collections Curator
• Associate Curator
• Stamp Collector
• Research Associate
• Prints and Drawings Curator
• Photography and Prints Curator
• Philatelist
• Old Coin Dealer
• Numismatist
• Natural Science Curator
• Natural History Collections Curator
• Museum Registrar
• Museum or Zoo Director
• Museum Director
• Modern and Contemporary Art Curator
• Manager of Exhibitions and Collections
• Historic Sites Supervisor
• Historic Site Administrator
• Herbarium Curator
• Field Collector
• Exhibits Manager
• Exhibitions and Collections Manager
• Educational Resource Coordinator
• Educational Institution Curator
• Director of Exhibit Development
• Director of Collections and Archives
• Curator of Photography and Prints
• Content Curator
• Collections and Archives Director
• Coin Collector
• Assistant Curator
• Asian Art Curator
• Art Gallery Director
• Ancient Art Curator

Tasks for “Curators”

• Confer with the board of directors to formulate and interpret policies, to determine budget requirements, and to plan overall operations.
• Study, examine, and test acquisitions to authenticate their origin, composition, history, and to assess their current value.
• Schedule events and organize details, including refreshment, entertainment, decorations, and the collection of any fees.
• Train and supervise curatorial, fiscal, technical, research, and clerical staff, as well as volunteers or interns.
• Inspect premises to assess the need for repairs and to ensure that climate and pest control issues are addressed.
• Develop and maintain an institution's registration, cataloging, and basic record-keeping systems, using computer databases.
• Plan and conduct special research projects in area of interest or expertise.
• Establish specifications for reproductions and oversee their manufacture or select items from commercially available replica sources.
• Provide information from the institution's holdings to other curators and to the public.
• Write and review grant proposals, journal articles, institutional reports, and publicity materials.
• Design, organize, or conduct tours, workshops, and instructional or educational sessions to acquaint individuals with an institution's facilities and materials.
• Negotiate and authorize purchase, sale, exchange, or loan of collections.
• Attend meetings, conventions, and civic events to promote use of institution's services, to seek financing, and to maintain community alliances.
• Plan and organize the acquisition, storage, and exhibition of collections and related materials, including the selection of exhibition themes and designs, and develop or install exhibit materials.
• Arrange insurance coverage for objects on loan or for special exhibits and recommend changes in coverage for the entire collection.

Related Technology & Tools

• Power drills
• Digital cameras
• Two way radios
• Precision levels
• Slotted screwdrivers
• T squares
• Desktop computers
• Scanners
• Handheld digital thermometers
• Claw hammers
• Laptop computers
• Mat cutters
• Digitizers
• Utility knives
• Precision knives
• Paint brushes
• Personal computers
• Light meters
• Precision rulers

• Microsoft Paint
• KE Software EMu
• Artsystems Collections
• Cuadra Associates STAR/Museums
• FileMaker Pro
• Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
• Graphics software
• Microsoft Excel
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• Scheduling software
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• Desktop publishing software
• Microsoft Access
• Microsoft Outlook
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• Willoughby Associates MIMSY XG
• Microsoft Office
• Gallery Systems The Museum System
• Microsoft PowerPoint
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• Web browser software
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• Corel WordPerfect
• Microsoft Visual Studio
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• Re:discovery Software Proficio
• Ex Libris Group DigiTool