Curators are responsible for the preservation, collection and display of objects of historical, cultural and artistic value in public and private museums, natural parks and historical sites, while the people who typically manage historical archives for libraries are called archivists. A museum curator analyzes, catalogs and creates written descriptions of objects of historical and artistic importance, conducts research on topics related to the collection, and oversees educational courses and programs on the subject. A museum curator can be at the same time the director of the museum itself, or organize fundraisers for his own institution, or, again, administer promotional events. If you would like to become a museum curator, just follow these steps.
Steps
Step 1. Nurture an interest in a particular branch of art, history or science
Although the curators of the smaller museums are experts in all of these subjects without necessarily excelling in any of them, most museum curators are great experts in a particular branch of the arts, science or history. The subject you are interested in could be an interest that you carry with you from childhood or it could be an interest acquired during your study.
If you have more than one interest, get involved in studying each one in depth. This will improve your chances of getting hired in larger museums
Step 2. Pay attention to the details
In addition to the various skills in the different fields that you will need to possess, you will need to have the ability to pay attention to the smallest details. Being a person who pays attention to detail is key to being a good curator dealing with issues such as finding the best way to preserve a wooden sculpture that has been soaked in water, keeping an inventory, and carrying out radioactivity and ray analysis. X on the finds to find out the era to which they belong.
Step 3. Volunteer at a museum or similar institution
In addition to stimulating your interest in the field, you will be able to better understand how the institution you would like to work for works. If you are still at the university, it is a good idea to apply as a collaborator, but you could also apply as a teacher to start working in the field.
Step 4. Get your degree
To become a museum curator, you will probably need a degree in art history. In addition to museum studies, you will need to possess skills in chemistry and physics, design, business management, marketing and public relations. You will need to improve your writing skills by writing for school journals, or by starting work writing texts or audio tracks for public events, fundraisers or advertisements. It would be a good idea to learn one or more foreign languages.
Step 5. Specialize
In addition to a degree in history or art history, it would be a good idea to take specialization courses or take masters in chemistry or agriculture.
You can take more than one master's, each in a different specialization, to increase your chances as a museum curator
Step 6. Publish your research
You will earn important credits that will earn you recognition, official or not, as an expert in the field, which can help you become a museum curator.
Step 7. Be willing to get started
Just like many companies, many museums need a career. You will have to start from the role of cataloguer or restorer, passing through the role of assistant curator to become the museum curator.
Step 8. Consider pursuing a PhD
If you are planning to become curator of a national museum or a museum in the scientific field, you will have more opportunities with a PhD. While, for other museum curator positions, it's not all that necessary.
