Preserving and exhibiting objects
from the past…
curators, conservators,
and museum technicians
work to inspire and teach audiences today.
They oversee and care for collections of
artwork and historic items,
and conduct education programs
for an institution.
Curators—or museum directors—
negotiate the purchase, sale,
and loan of collections.
They are often experts in a particular field,
such as botany, art, or history,
and may authenticate and categorize
the specimens in a collection.
Curators also manage research
and educational programs,
and represent their institution
at events and in the media.
Museum technicians protect, document,
and oversee the transportation
of museum and collection objects.
They also answer questions from the public
and help curators and outside scholars
use the museum’s collections.
Conservators research and preserve
works of art and artifacts.
They usually specialize in a type of object,
such as books, paintings,
or architectural material.
Conservators use a variety of methods
to study objects and reverse years of wear.
Curators, museum technicians,
and conservators
work full time in museums, historical sites,
governments, colleges and universities,
and corporations.
Curator and conservator positions
typically require a master’s degree in a field
such as museum studies, conservation,
or art history,
while museum technicians usually have
a related bachelor’s degree.
Candidates with internship
or volunteer experience
in archives or museums
are more competitive.