Museum Curator Resume Examples
Curators are field experts employed by libraries and museums to preserve their collections and decide which collections to acquire and showcase. Their work directly determines the library or museum’s success. Therefore, hiring managers use a fine-tooth comb to examine job resumes and shortlist the right candidates for this role. Our curator resume examples crafted by our team of certified resume writers demonstrate how to write a resume that effectively presents all your relevant details and help influence recruiters to select you for the interview.
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What is a Curator?
Museums and libraries rely on curators to develop exquisite collections and programs that draw patrons’ interest. The collections may involve manuscripts, books or artifacts that hold significant historical, cultural or monetary value. In general terms, curators are the de facto authority in deciding which collections to buy and store.
Curators organize exhibits, oversee the safety and upkeep of collections, and represent their organization at conferences and in media. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, curatorial positions are set to grow 13%, much faster than the average for all other occupations. Curators develop the theme of collections, search for suitable collections, investigate its authenticity, evaluate and negotiate the purchase price, and also collaborate with other organizations to arrange for collections-on-loan.
What Makes This a Great
Curator Resume Example?
If the preservation of arts and culture is what you’re passionate about then curatorial work is right for you. You can confidently apply for a curator’s role using our resume examples to make a strong resume that bolsters your selection chances.
Here are some benefits of using our examples for your resume-writing:
- Professionally-appealing content: Our resume examples use industry-relevant keywords like “exhibit-specialist” and “experienced in developing modern-age collections” which you can incorporate into your resume when applicable. You can also use our Resume Builder to access pre-written content for every section of the resume.
- Use the right format: The resume example above uses the combination format which focuses equally on the skills and experience section, and is considered appropriate for candidates with moderate experience. Whereas, the chronological and functional formats are suitable for highly-experienced and less-experienced candidates, respectively. Our builder provides options for all resume formats.
- Industry relevant resume templates: Curator’s are innovative and creative and their resumes should be the same. A multi-shade, colorful template with a traditionally formal font, similar to the one used in the resume example above, would be a wise choice for curators. You can also access our builder’s resume template library for more options of suitable templates.
3 Curator Professional Summary Examples
The professional summary is an integral part of your resume, being the first section that recruiters generally read. You can use our resume examples to seek guidance for crafting a near-perfect professional summary that instantly impresses recruiters.
Below are three professional summary examples that you might consider:
- Accomplished curator with over 20 years of experience working in private art museums. Experienced in developing high-value medieval-era art collections, with proficiency in using traditional and modern preservation methods. Excels at acquiring rare works at competitive prices, with 100% satisfaction rates. Skilled in organizing scintillating exhibits that offer rare art insights to patrons and draws positive media attention.
- Detail-oriented curator with over 12 years of experience and a recipient of AAMC-Award for Excellence. Adept in researching, fundraising, and publishing exquisite online catalogues of the museum’s collection. Professionally certified with a specialization in detecting counterfeit manuscripts and books. Respected team leader with strong collaboration and negotiation skills.
- A curator with five years of experience. Extensive knowledge of civilizational history and art forms. Superb at planning invite-only art exhibitions and student tours. Adept at Ortelia Curator, and MS Access. Accustomed to extensive travelling, media interactions, and working for long hours to meet project targets.
3 Curator Work Experience Examples
Public and private organizations require that more volumes of records and information be organized and made accessible so the right curatorial skills are a must to secure a job in this field. Draft a concise and compelling work experience section using our pre-written builder content and customize it with your personal details to win over a recruiter.
Here are three examples that our builder might recommend for this role:
- Organized 12 exhibits of the Paleolithic age and World War II to commemorate the museum’s 50th foundation year.
- Raised grants of $126,000 for upgrading the collections’ management infrastructure at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
- Researched and negotiated a single acquisition worth $29 million for a patron’s private collection.
Top Skills for Your Curator Resume
Our curator resume examples include skills that are most relevant for this role from the recruiters’ perspective. You can also use our builder to have a look at the most sought-after skills on a curator’s resume.
Below are some skills that our builder might recommend for a curator’s resume:
Hard Skills
- Strong negotiation
- Collections preservation and management
- Exhibit planning
- Excellent research
Soft Skills
- Communication
- Detail-oriented
- Fundraising
- Networking
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Curator FAQs
- How do you become a curator?
- How are the working conditions of a curator?
- What is the path of career advancement in this job?
How do you become a curator?
Curators typically need at least a master’s degree in art history, museum studies, history, anthropology, or a related field. They have several administrative and managerial responsibilities; a certification in public relations, business administration, or marketing would increase their job prospects. Previous work experience as an intern or volunteer would generally be required to land the job.
How are the working conditions of a curator?
Curators have to travel extensively, especially in the initial years, for collections inspection and acquisition. They shoulder the responsibility of planning and managing exhibits, which ultimately drives footfalls for the museum. They have to follow tight schedules and are often required to work for long hours, even on holidays. To summarize, their job can be demanding, but the outcome makes it worthwhile for them to put in the extra efforts.
What is the path of career advancement in this job?
Curators play an integral role in determining the success of a museum. They might typically start in this field as an intern or assistant curator. Curators cut their teeth by learning different methods of preserving collections, researching, and other trade tricks. Over time and with experience, they can progress to the role of a chief curator. They may also choose to specialize in a particular field and develop their expertise to become the go-to person for that field in the close-knit community of curators.
