Museum/gallery curator

As a museum or gallery curator, you'll manage collections of artefacts or works of art, overseeing their acquisition, care, display and interpretation to inform and educate the public. You'll also help to promote the organisation through activities such as PR, marketing, fundraising and education programmes, as well as managing budgets, staff and stakeholder relationships.

You'll develop engaging exhibitions for different audiences, from the general public to targeted groups such as schools.

Increasingly, curators work in partnership with other museums, heritage and tourism organisations, and use digital platforms to widen access and bring collections to new audiences.

The role of museum/gallery curator can overlap with that of a museum/gallery exhibitions officer.

Responsibilities

Depending on the size and type of organisation you work for and whether you specialise or have more general responsibilities, you'll need to:

• acquire, document and research objects or collections in line with ethical, legal and professional standards
• manage and care for collections, including sorting documentation, storage, conservation standards and risk management
• interpret and display collections through exhibitions, talks and digital platforms, ensuring accessibility and engagement for diverse audiences
• plan, organise and present exhibitions and public programmes, both on site and online
• produce written and digital content for websites, publications and promotional channels, including social media
• use digital tools and technologies to enhance interpretation, learning and visitor experience
• collaborate with other museum departments, such as education, fundraising, marketing and conservation
• develop partnerships and work with other museums, galleries, schools and community groups
• negotiate loans and partnerships in line with national and international museum standards
• write funding bids and manage relationships with funders and grant bodies
• plan, manage and report on budgets and resources
• liaise with researchers, stakeholders, trustees and public bodies to support governance, strategy and long-term sustainability.

Salary

• Starting salaries for assistant curators are around £25,000.
• Experienced curators earn up to £43,000.
• In senior roles, such as lead curator or head of collections, it's possible to earn £50,000+.

Salaries vary depending on your experience, level of responsibility and the size of the employing organisation. Benefit packages can include professional membership and discounts.

Income figures are intended as a guide only.

Working hours

Typically, you'll work around 38 to 40 hours Monday to Friday. Extra hours in the form of occasional evening or weekend work may be required in the run-up to an exhibition or for events and fundraising.

Part-time work and flexible hours may be possible.

What to expect

• Freelance, fixed-term and contract roles are common in museums and heritage, especially for project-based work such as exhibitions, collections work or community projects.
• Jobs are mainly available in large towns and cities, although specialist museums exist in smaller towns and in rural areas.
• Travel within a working day may occasionally be required to attend meetings or to visit other touring exhibitions. Absence from home overnight is uncommon.
• Overseas work or travel is uncommon except for those whose expertise is recognised internationally. Occasionally, curators and conservators in larger organisations may attend conferences or act as couriers accompanying items on loan to other institutions.
• Organisations such as the Museums Association (MA) and Group for Education in Museums (GEM) support work to improve inclusion from under-represented groups and widen access for staff, volunteers and audiences.

Qualifications

You'll usually need a good honours degree to become a museum or gallery curator. Subjects that are particularly useful and sought by employers include:

• archaeology or ancient history
• anthropology
• classics
• education
• fine art
• history or history of art
• museum/heritage studies
• natural sciences.

It's also possible to enter from a range of other degree subjects though including languages, English literature and science.

If you have a particular area of expertise in mind for your curating work, it's useful to have a relevant qualification. For example, curators of ancient Greek or Roman artefacts are likely to have a degree in classical studies, ancient history or archaeology.

A postgraduate qualification can also be helpful and may be necessary for certain roles, especially those at a higher level. This can include a PhD or Masters in your specialism or a Masters or diploma in museum and/or gallery studies. Search postgraduates courses in museum studies.

The museum sector is committed to diversifying its workforce and expanding entry routes through traineeships and paid internships, so you may be able to find opportunities through alternative routes.

Skills

You'll need to have:

• an interest in and knowledge of a relevant subject area
• accuracy and attention to detail
• communication skills, both written and oral
• digital skills, including using collections databases and creating content for online platforms
• motivation and creative flair
• influencing and negotiation skills
• organisation, planning and administrative skills
• project management skills
• political awareness
• research skills
• teamwork skills and the ability to build and develop relationships
• a flexible approach to work.

Work experience

Pre-entry experience in museums, galleries or heritage organisations is usually essential, and will help you build practical skills, understand how collections are managed and make contacts that may lead to paid roles.

This could include part-time work, volunteering or internships.

Look at the websites and social media channels of museums, galleries and heritage organisations for opportunities. Competition for internships is often high, so research each organisation and tailor your application.

Entry-level jobs can be competitive and staff turnover is sometimes low, so you may need to be flexible about location. While you're still studying, volunteering can be a good way to build experience. Try a mix of local and national organisations - smaller museums and galleries may receive fewer applications and can offer broader, hands-on experience.

You could also contact heritage organisations, such as:

• British Association of Friends of Museums
• Museums Galleries Scotland
• National Trust
• National Trust for Scotland

The Museums Association has useful information on getting into the sector.

You could also consider becoming a member of the Museums Association, which offers a discounted rate to students and provides access to training and events, as well as helping you to keep up to date with industry news.

Employers

Galleries and museums are located throughout the UK, some with specialist collections, others displaying a more diverse range of artefacts and exhibits.

Large national institutions include:

• The British Museum
• National Galleries of Scotland
• The National Gallery
• National Museum Wales
• National Museums Scotland

The Northern Ireland Museums Council (NIMC) has details of museums in Northern Ireland.

Many universities have galleries and museums, and these include some major public institutions such as the:

• Ashmolean in Oxford
• The Hunterian in Glasgow

If you work in a local authority museum or gallery, you’ll often be employed by a council department such as culture, leisure, communities or education. The collections in these museums often reflect local history, industrial heritage and the landscape of the area.

Independent museums, many run as charities, range from small volunteer-led organisations to large regional and national institutions. For more information, see the Association of Independent Museums (AIM).

Look for job vacancies at:

• Museums Association (MA) - access to jobs once you have registered
• Museum Jobs
• University of Leicester Museum Studies Jobs Desk
• Work Culture Jobs

You can also try checking the websites of specific museums or galleries for opportunities.

Heritage organisations may advertise vacancies, for example:

• English Heritage Jobs
• National Trust Jobs
• National Trust for Scotland Jobs

Also, look at education supplements, especially for education, research and technical appointments, as well as leisure job sites, such as Leisure Management.

Professional development

You'll build your knowledge, skills and experience on the job, but you'll also be expected to take part in continuing professional development (CPD). This could include conferences, exhibitions, workshops and seminars, offered by organisations such as the Museums Association (MA).

The MA also offers professional development awards, including:

• Associateship of the Museums Association (AMA) - usually takes two to three years and supports you to plan and evidence your development, often with a mentor.
• Fellowship of the Museums Association (FMA) - for senior, experienced staff and recognises a high level of professional contribution and achievement.

Find out more at Museums Association Careers. Regional museum federations, specialist groups and private training providers also run short courses, many of which are open to volunteers.

Career prospects

You'll often start out in an entry-level role such as assistant curator, or in a related area of museum or gallery work, before moving into a curator post.

Career progression is partly driven by the experience you build and the professional networks you develop. With the right background, you may take on freelance or consultancy work, and it's also possible to move between sectors, particularly at senior management or specialist-technical level. Promotion often leads to broader management roles, which can mean less day-to-day contact with collections.

For generalist curators and those aiming for senior posts, skills in budgeting, financial management and generating income (for example through fundraising, admissions or retail) can be important. Museums and galleries are expected to show value for money, so curators may also need to build strong relationships with donors and key stakeholders, including local communities, governing bodies and research institutions.

All museum professionals should adhere to the code of ethics for museums, produced by the MA.