A person who picks a variety of works of art, whether they be paintings, sculptures, tapestries, or video art, is known as a "curator" in the world of art. Curators typically provide their own interpretations of the works of art they select. A curator's duties often include, but are not limited to, choosing pieces for display, writing labels and catalog articles, and contributing various types of material to promote art exhibits.
Art curators have a keen eye for a wide range of art forms and a love for arranging artwork in a manner that generates attention in the exhibition area, regardless of whether the exhibition space is tiny or vast, housed inside four walls, or presented outside.
Responsibilities and Obligations of an Art Curator
An art curator's day-to-day responsibilities and obligations may include any or all of the following activities and responsibilities:
Recording and documenting the works of art and other things in collections is an important part of managing collections.
Conduct research on artifacts in order to provide identification and authenticity documents.
Create, arrange, and put on a number of different exhibits.
Write acquisition and exhibition proposals
Organize the display of works of art and items, including their installation.
Produce identifying marks and explanatory materials for the works of art.
Docents and other museum workers should get training on the presentation and information of the exhibition.
Participate actively in the global art community by contributing your research and findings to the publication of books, catalogs, and journals.
Maintain up-to-date information on the state of the art market and have an in-depth understanding of the collections and exhibits they oversee.
Educate potential contributors about their organization by developing and managing a variety of educational programs and activities.
Payscale of an Art Curator
The following is a range of annual salaries for art curators, as reported by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2018:
Median Annual Salary: $53.780
Greater than $86,480 per year is the average salary for those in the top 10 percent.
Pay for the bottom 10 percent of workers: less than $27,190 annually
Those who work as curators in institutions such as museums, historical sites, and other similar establishments typically earn salaries that are on the lower end of the scale, while those who work in federally designated institutions such as the National Gallery earn annual median salaries that are on the higher end of the scale.
Education, Vocational Training, and Professional Accreditation
The profession of art curator requires a specialized knowledge and comprehension of art as well as the art sector, both of which may be achieved via education at the college and post-graduate levels.
Education: Although a master's degree in art history or museology is often required for curator jobs, some smaller galleries may accept candidates with just a bachelor's degree in art or art history. A master's degree or PhD in art or art history is often required for employment with larger companies. The coursework should center on art history and cover a comprehensive spectrum of eras, styles, and movements within the fields of art and architecture.
Experience is often required for candidates to be considered for the post of curator. Candidates should have at least three to four years of experience working in a museum or gallery setting. This role might also be that of a museum technician or assistant curator, among other possible options.
Abilities and Capabilities of an Art Curator
In addition to the educational prerequisites and the other qualifications for the position, it is possible that applicants who have the following abilities may be able to fulfill the duties of the job more effectively:
Management abilities are required for this position, as you will be responsible for maintaining management of a museum's collection.
A curator has to have a trained eye in order to be able to pick works of art and other objects that are of the highest possible quality to be shown in a museum or gallery.
The ability to organize art exhibits in galleries or other public locations requires knowledge and expertise in this field. Exhibition abilities are essential for this.
Skills in research are required for this position, since you will be required to investigate artists and gather information about different pieces of art.
Writing abilities are necessary for a curator since one of their responsibilities is to provide the written content that accompanies artwork and other objects.
Job Outlook
There is a significant gap between the number of galleries, museums, and other institutions that deal in art and the number of individuals dealing employment as art curators.
The sustained and rising interest in museums and other places that show cultural works is the primary factor that is driving the anticipated rise of 10 percent in the number of jobs available for curators from 2018 to 2028, as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the United States.
The Working Conditions
It all depends on the size of the organization as to whether or not the curator works behind a desk or whether or not they spend their time out on the floor interacting with visitors. If they are engaged in restoration work, the task may include scaling ladders or scaffolding and carrying big art items. In addition, the job may need them to lift heavy art artifacts.
Work Schedule
The majority of curators are required to put in full days of work during standard business hours. When it comes to doing research and evaluating possible additions to their collection, curators working for major institutions may be required to travel extensively.