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Curators - 25-4012.00

O*NET-SOC Description

Administer collections, such as artwork, collectibles, historic items, or scientific specimens of museums or other institutions. May conduct instructional, research, or public service activities of institution.

Sample of Reported Job Titles

  • Curator
  • Museum Curator
  • Collections Curator
  • Associate Curator
  • Collections Manager
  • Curator of Collections
  • Curator of Education
  • Exhibitions Curator
  • Exhibits Curator
  • Gallery Director

SOC Occupation Groups

Related Occupations

Tasks

  • Arrange insurance coverage for objects on loan or for special exhibits, and recommend changes in coverage for the entire collection.
  • Attend meetings, conventions, and civic events to promote use of institution's services, to seek financing, and to maintain community alliances.
  • Confer with the board of directors to formulate and interpret policies, to determine budget requirements, and to plan overall operations.
  • Design, organize, or conduct tours, workshops, and instructional or educational sessions to acquaint individuals with an institution's facilities and materials.
  • Develop and maintain an institution's registration, cataloging, and basic recordkeeping systems, using computer databases.
  • Establish specifications for reproductions and oversee their manufacture, or select items from commercially available replica sources.
  • Inspect premises to assess the need for repairs and to ensure that climate and pest-control issues are addressed.
  • Negotiate and authorize purchase, sale, exchange, or loan of collections.
  • Plan and conduct special research projects in area of interest or expertise.
  • Plan and organize the acquisition, storage, and exhibition of collections and related materials, including the selection of exhibition themes and designs, and develop or install exhibit materials.
  • Provide information from the institution's holdings to other curators and to the public.
  • Schedule events, and organize details including refreshment, entertainment, decorations, and the collection of any fees.
  • Study, examine, and test acquisitions to authenticate their origin, composition, history, and to assess their current value.
  • Train and supervise curatorial, fiscal, technical, research, and clerical staff, as well as volunteers or interns.
  • Write and review grant proposals, journal articles, institutional reports, and publicity materials.

Detailed Work Activities

  • analyze artifacts to determine age or cultural identity
  • appraise artifact value
  • catalog or classify materials or artifacts
  • communicate visually or verbally
  • develop arts-related information or index systems
  • develop plans for programs or projects
  • develop policies, procedures, methods, or standards
  • direct and coordinate activities of workers or staff
  • evaluate documents or manuscripts
  • evaluate photographs or art objects
  • index information resources
  • inspect premises or structure for evidence of deterioration or damage
  • maintain records, reports, or files
  • make presentations
  • monitor and control museum or institution resources
  • oversee execution of organizational or program policies
  • plan art or museum exhibits
  • plan or organize work
  • provide information about facilities
  • schedule activities, classes, or events
  • schedule or contract meeting facilities
  • use current social research
  • write research or project grant proposals
  • write scholarly or technical research papers

Military Crosswalk Titles

No information available.

Apprenticeship Crosswalk Titles

No information available.

DOT Crosswalk Titles

  • Curator
  • Director, Museum-or-Zoo
  • Educational Resource Coordinator
  • Historic-Site Administrator
  • Registrar, Museum
  • Research Associate
  • Supervisor, Historic Sites