Since you will have staff to assist you in your job as museum curator, you are responsible for training the staff in how to take care of the artifacts and how to deliver the educational programs. You will have to review way in which the exhibits are displayed to find ways to make them more attractive for visitors and then take steps to initiate these changes. If restoration of any exhibits is necessary, you will have to review the contractor bids to find the one that can do the work for the lowest cost. You will also have to work with the contractor you choose to ensure the work is done properly.
As the museum curator, you will have to be knowledgeable bout everything contained in the museum. You may have to research certain exhibits to verify the information you have or to establish the validity and authenticity of new artifacts that you acquire for the museum. Promoting the museum to the public is an important function of this job, which means that you may be involved in a variety of committees and take part in fund raising events designed to raise awareness of the museum. Depending on the size of the museum where you work, you may have traveling exhibits on a rotating basis to change the range of exhibits and educational programs that you offer.
In order to succeed in the position of museum curator, you need to be thoroughly experienced in restoration techniques and in how to preserve historical specimens and artifacts. You need to be creative in designing exhibitions, and have knowledge of the outcomes of the school curriculum so you can design appropriate educational programs. Leadership skills are essential for directing and training the other staff of the museum. Because you will be dealing with diverse groups of visitors and others in your work, you do need to have excellent communication skills.
The minimum qualifications you need for the job of museum curator is at least a Master’s degree in museum studies, art, history or archaeology. Most curators possess a doctoral degree; however small museums may hire you with a Bachelor’s degree in one of the required fields. Usually a curator works his/her way up through the ranks of the museum administration. Working in a small museum can give you the skills you need to apply for a job in a larger one when the opportunity arises.
