Museum Keeper/Art Gallery Curator

Museum keepers/art gallery curators usually manage and interpret a collection of artefacts or works of art in order to inform and educate people in the wider community. The work includes cataloguing acquisitions and keeping records, researching and writing catalogues, presenting exhibitions, handling enquiries from researchers and the public, and planning financial budgets. Many keepers/curators specialise in a particular period or style, such as Roman art in Britain, Impressionism, Egyptology or the Italian Renaissance.

Museums and galleries once emphasised their academic and intellectual standing above all else but most are now expected to appeal to the widest possible audience as cultural heritage tourist attractions. The challenge to keepers/curators is to appeal to the general public while maintaining academic credibility.

Entry level
Although you could enter this type of work with a degree in any discipline, you should be able to boost your chances with a subject such as anthropology, archaeology, classics, history, history of art or information science/management.

A pre-entry postgraduate qualification is essential and usually a PhD in your specialism or a Masters/Diploma in Museum Studies is required.

You must also obtain pre-entry work experience in the voluntary sector, both to gain experience and to help build up a network of contacts. When applying for voluntary work, check local museums and galleries or the British Association of Friends of Museums.

Making the grade
The Cultural Heritage National Training Organisation offers short courses and is recognised by the government as the strategic training organisation for the museums, galleries and heritage sector in the UK.

The Museums Association offers continuing professional development and four routes to Associate Membership, depending on your experience, qualifications and current job. After a minimum of five years of Associate status, you can apply for the Fellowship of the Museums Association (FMA), which is the highest level of individual membership.

Personal qualities
You would need to show evidence of a genuine interest in art and historical artefacts, the ability to influence policy makers and budget holders, and enough creative flair to arrange imaginative exhibits for visitors to enjoy.

Excellent communication skills would be essential both for giving talks on your specialism and for writing associated catalogues and articles.

Looking ahead
It must be said that competition for places is very intense and staff turnover is very low. Generally, long-term career prospects are uncertain and flexibility, including geographical mobility, is essential.

Rather than rely on a clear promotion structure in one organisation, you would probably need to manage your own career which, given appropriate experience and contacts, may include freelance and consultancy work.

The Museums Association website gives details of current career opportunities. Possible employers include independent museums and galleries, universities, local authority museums and galleries and national museums and galleries.

Alternative suggestions
Other possibilities might include archaeologist, archivist, art restorer, arts administrator, teacher or university lecturer.

Take-home pay
You might start as an assistant keeper/curator on around £15,000 to £17,000, depending on the size and location of the museum or gallery. Promotion to senior keeper/curator could increase your earnings to around £30,000.

Effects
You would probably work around 36 to 40 hours a week but this could include some evening and weekend commitments in line with the opening hours of the museum or gallery. Preparation for a new exhibition could involve working late into the evening.

Sources of information
Association of Independent Museums: www.museums.org.uk/aim/
British Association of Friends of Museums: www.bafm.org.uk
The British Museum: www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk
Cultural Heritage National Training Organisation: www.chnto.co.uk/careers
Museum, Libraries and Archives Council: www.mla.gov.uk
Museums Association: www.museumsassociation.org/
National Gallery of Scotland: www.nationalgalleries.org
National Gallery: www.nationalgallery.org.uk/
National Museums and Galleries of Wales: www.nmgw.ac.uk
National Museums of Scotland: www.nms.ac.uk

CRCI: K

Career in the Conservation of Historic/Artistic Work