Curator Careers Information
Curators are charged with managing not only museums-art, science, and natural history-but also zoos, botanical gardens, nature centers, and historic sites. A curator is often trained in a general field, such as art, but may find him or herself employed in a highly specialized position, such as Renaissance or Modern art, at a larger institution.
Curator Careers & Degrees
- American Intercontinental University: Online
- Master's (M. Ed.) - Educational Assessment and Evaluation
- Master's (M.Ed.) - Adult Education and Training
- Master's (M.Ed.) - Leadership of Educational Organizations
Jones International University: Online
- MEd in Adult Education
- MEd in Education Leadership and Administration
- MEd in Education Leadership and Administration: Principal and Administrator Licensure
- MEd in Higher Education Leadership and Administration
Grand Canyon University: Online
- B.S. in Elementary Education / Special Education (Dual Major)
- B.S. in Elementary Education: English (With IR and Cert.)
- B.S. in Elementary Education: Math (With IR and Cert.)
- B.S. in Elementary Education: Science (With IR and Cert.)
Aside from researching, cataloguing, and purchasing, a curator is often called upon to raise funds by writing grants and organizing fundraisers and to be the public face of the organization.
Curator Careers Path
Most curators have Bachelor’s, Master’s, and even doctoral degrees in their particular field, such as art, history or one of the sciences. Many have a graduate degree in museum studies as well. Because of the administrative demands of the job, many curators have completed business courses and taken part in internships to gain on the job experience.
Curator Careers: Compatible Personality Traits
Passion for a particular field, discerning eye with strong attention to detail, strong communication skills, people person, able to manage others well.
Curator Careers: Salary Expectations
Curators average $46,300 a year, with the middle fifty percent earning between $34,410 and $61,740. For museum curators employed by the Federal Government, however, the average salary rises to $80,780 a year.
Curator Careers: Job Outlook
Because there are many more qualified applicants than available positions at any given time, competition for curator jobs is stiff. A person who wishes to become a curator may have to work part-time or even as an unpaid intern for a time after obtaining the necessary education. Those with highly specialized training and who have very strong computer skills are the most likely to find employment as are those with the most experience.
Slightly off the Footpath
Source: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos065.htm
