Tips to Become an Art Curator

Tips to become an art curator. Designing and planning exhibitions and installations is the responsibility of an art curator who works at a museum or art gallery. Collections of paintings, sculptures, and audiovisual presentations are put together by art curators. This can be a fantastic career choice for you if you have a strong interest in art and like working in public art spaces and museums.

TIPS TO BECOME AN ART CURATOR

It’s helpful to investigate the specific duties of an art curator before learning how to become one. Exhibitions and displays in museums, art galleries, public exhibitions are organized by art curators. In addition to organizing and overseeing art collections, they are in charge of the preservation and exhibition of these pieces.

1. Earn a degree

To work as an art curator, you must first have an undergraduate degree in a suitable field. The majority of art curators are art grads, while no particular degree is necessary to operate in this sector. A bachelor’s degree in art history, archaeology, languages, art and design, art history and visual culture, or classical studies are just a few of the many appropriate degrees that universities offer.

2. Pursue a graduate degree

Numerous curators focus on certain fields of expertise, such as Greek or Roman art, contemporary art and culture, or medieval art. Establishing yourself as an authority in a particular field may require a suitable Art History degree in a specialized field. This could entail earning a postgraduate degree in your field of expertise, like a Master’s or perhaps a PhD.

3. Obtain a degree in museum studies

An MA in Museum Studies offers a thorough examination of various methods for finding, recording, and arranging artwork in a museum. The presentation and preservation of various materials as well as public engagement and communication strategies may be covered in studies. It teaches aspiring art curators the best ways to organize an exhibition, care for artifacts and artwork, and make them available to the public.

4. Volunteer at a gallery

Volunteering in a museum or gallery demonstrates your commitment to and passion for the work. The best way to obtain practical curatorial and museum experience is through voluntary work. Meeting people in this field is also beneficial, and it may even result in offers of paid positions.

5. Look for a job as an intern

A career in curating greatly benefits from practical experience. Some universities provide paid internships through their affiliations with historical homes, museums, and galleries. With a company like Historic Royal Palaces, which provides an apprenticeship program for school-leavers or recent graduates to work in their historic properties, you might also be able to set up your own paid work experience.

6. Seek employment

It’s time to start applying for employment after you’ve finished your education and training and have some volunteer or internship experience listed on your resume. Art curator positions are posted on a number of employment platforms.

Summary

The majority of curators begin their careers as entry-level assistant curators. As you gain more expertise, you might be able to advance through the gallery to a more managerial position after a few years. Higher-level positions spend more time on fund-raising and financial matters, less time working with the art collection.