How to become a Curator

Aspirants who are interested in history subjects, country’s art, history and culture makes them more curious and excited than curator as a career is suitable for them. The curator must be extroverted and ready to work indoors and outdoors. Curator, is also called a Museologist who works in a museum. The curator can be in-charge of the organisation & cataloguing of the museum. Museology / Curator Career is defined as the systematic study and organisation of a museum which flourished all over the country with their own relevance. Museums are called heritage centres. Curator’s role is to identify, examine, clean, preserve, display or store art objects. Curators procure artefacts, create exhibitions and maintain exhibits. Curators are skilled professionals who understand art, elements which destroy works of art. Curator recreates the old beauty and charm of monuments, paintings and art objects which requires immense precision, patience and keen observation.

• To work on negotiating prices, researching and buying items such as statues, sculptures and paintings.
• To maintain  cataloging and records acquisitions
• To collaborate with other institutions
• To ensure collections are properly preserved
• To raise grants and funds
• Acquire, store, and exhibit collections
• Select the theme and design of exhibits
• Develop or set up exhibit materials
• Design, organize, or conduct tours and workshops for the public
• Attend meetings and civic events to promote the institution
• Clean objects using cleansers, solvents, and soap solutions
• Direct and supervise curatorial, technical, and student staff
• Plan and conduct special research projects

• Curators must cultivate particular talents, such as an interest in artefacts and awareness of their historical significance, in order to become curators.
• Ability to assimilate and analyse information, as well as aesthetic and colour vision.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to organize, present and communicate messages effectively through design
• Excellent project management and organizational skills
• Knowledge of fundraising for cultural projects
• Knowledge of working with museum databases and IT issues
• Good team working skills
• Excellent research and IT skills.

The average starting salary for a curator/ museologist is around 15,000 INR a month. While a Senior curator or as a director of a museum one can command 60,000 I NR to 75,000 INR a month.

There is no as such common entrance exam conducted at state or national level. The admission to educational institutes will based on merit list obtained in 10+2 level. Some universities/colleges conduct their own subjective entrance exam and interview.

• Museum
• Art Gallery
• Educational Institute
• Public Sector
• Private Sector