Art gallery curator
Organise exhibitions to attract visitors to a gallery where they can enjoy beautiful art.
Also known as: gallery exhibition organiser, arts exhibition organiser
About the job
Salary
Source: National Careers Service
Weekly
£346
Entry level
£769
Experienced
Monthly
£1,500
Entry level
£3,333
Experienced
Yearly
£18,000
Entry level
£40,000
Experienced
2,100
people are currently employed
Low growth
100 more jobs in 5 years
These figures refer to this job and similar ones with comparable skills and qualifications. They only apply to Scotland. Source: Oxford Economics
What it's like
You would organise exhibitions and displays to attract visitors to a gallery. You'd help people to enjoy the paintings, sculptures, videos and other art.
You'd give visitors information about the objects on display to help them understand their significance and learn more about the artists.
You'd plan new exhibitions months in advance and arrange to borrow artworks from other galleries as part of the display.
You'd persuade businesses to sponsor the exhibition and try to get public money to pay for putting it on. You'd create publicity materials to advertise the exhibition so that people know about it and come and see it.
You'd also manage the gallery's permanent collections of paintings and artworks, which will often have historical significance.
You would:
Research and identify paintings and other items
Catalogue the items in the collection
Store artworks in the right conditions
Write catalogues and other information for visitors
Answer visitors' questions
Give talks to groups or school parties
You may also supervise or manage staff or do other tasks such as arrange insurance and security.
If you work for a private gallery you might sell pieces of art to customers and work with artists to organise regular exhibitions of their latest work.
Hours
Environment
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Top skills
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It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Here are some of the skills you'll need to do this job:
- taking responsibility
- developing a plan
- sorting
- attention to detail
- researching
- innovative
- written communication
- verbal communication
Your skills are important
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Getting in
Explore the sections shown for more information about getting into this career.
You might have qualifications which are not shown here but will allow you access to a course. You can compare your qualifications by looking at their SCQF Level. For more information about this, check out the SCQF website.
Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you'll need.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
Art and Design
Classical Studies
Creative Arts
History
Skills for Work: Creative Industries
An honours degree (SCQF level 10) or postgraduate qualification (SCQF level 11) in a relevant subject such as:
Fine Art
History of Art
Museum Studies
Gallery Studies
Many curators also have a postgraduate qualification (SCQF level 11).
To enter a History of Art degree (SCFQ 9/10) requires National 5 qualifications and a minimum of four Highers at B or above or a relevant HNC/HND.
To enter a Fine Art degree requires National 5 qualifications, a minimum of three Highers at C or above and a portfolio of your work.
To enter a postgraduate qualification (SCQF level 11) requires a relevant degree. Some courses may ask for a portfolio of your work and or work-based experience.
There are currently no degrees in museum or gallery studies available in Scotland but the University of St Andrews offers a postgraduate qualification.
You could start work as an assistant curator, conservator or education manager before becoming a curator.
As gallery work is a competitive field, gaining experience through volunteering or an internship is usually essential.
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