Here’s a brief list of what Museum Curators do:

• Collection Management: Acquires, catalogs, documents, and preserves artifacts, artworks, specimens, or objects in the museum's collection, ensuring their proper storage, conservation, and care.

• Exhibition Development: Plans, designs, and organizes exhibitions and displays of objects from the museum's collection, considering themes, narratives, and educational objectives.

• Research and Scholarship: Conducts research on objects in the collection, their historical or cultural significance, and contextualizes them within broader historical, artistic, or scientific contexts.

• Educational Programming: Develops educational programs, workshops, tours, and lectures for museum visitors, schools, and community groups to engage audiences and promote learning.

• Public Engagement: Interacts with museum visitors, scholars, donors, and the public to provide information about exhibits, collections, and museum resources, fostering interest and understanding.

• Collaboration and Outreach: Collaborates with artists, researchers, educators, and community stakeholders to develop collaborative projects, exhibitions, and public programs.

• Conservation and Preservation: Works with conservators and specialists to ensure the proper conservation, restoration, and maintenance of objects in the museum's collection.

Here’s how YOU can become one:

1. Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree: Start with a bachelor's degree in art history, history, archaeology, anthropology, museum studies, or a related field. Courses in museum studies, collections management, art or cultural history, and research methods are beneficial.

• Advanced Degree (Recommended): Pursue a master’s degree (MA or MSc) in museum studies, art history, anthropology, or a related discipline. Some positions, especially in larger museums or for specialized collections, may require a doctoral degree (PhD).

2. Gain Experience:

• Internships and Volunteering: Seek internships or volunteer opportunities at museums, art galleries, historical societies, or cultural institutions. This hands-on experience will help you learn about museum operations, collections management, exhibition planning, and conservation practices.

• Entry-Level Museum Positions: Start with entry-level positions such as museum assistant, collections assistant, or research assistant to gain practical experience and develop your skills.

3. Develop Specialized Skills:

• Collections Management: Learn how to catalog, preserve, and document museum artifacts or artworks.

• Exhibition Development: Gain experience in planning and executing museum exhibitions, including research, interpretation, and presentation skills.

• Research and Scholarship: Develop strong research skills and the ability to critically analyze and interpret historical or artistic materials.

4. Network and Build Professional Relationships:

• Attend conferences, workshops, and seminars related to museum studies, art history, or your specific area of interest. Networking with professionals in the field can provide insights into career opportunities and trends.

  This is a very brief and general plan. To know your specific academic path for this career please talk to an advisor at the college or program you plan on attending!