Curatorial Assistant: Job Description, Skills and Qualities
Curatorial Assistant is an art career position in which one assists the Senior Curator in the collection, preservation and display of artworks in galleries and museums. This position is a great position for those who are interested in art and culture and want to work in a field that allows them to use their skills in the field of artworks and with career advancement as a curator. be active
Curator assistant job description:
The duties and responsibilities of a curatorial assistant can vary depending on the size of the gallery and the department in which they work. However, some common duties and responsibilities include:
Assist the curator in collecting new works of art, identifying, evaluating and purchasing works of art
Carrying out tasks related to the maintenance of works of art, such as registration, care and protection of works of art
Accompanying the curator in the display of artworks, installation and maintenance of exhibitions
Provide services to museum visitors, including answering questions and providing guidance
Skills:
To be successful as an assistant curator, you must possess a specific set of skills, including:
Knowledge and interest in art: This is an essential skill for an assistant curator. You should have knowledge about different types of art, including history, technique and style. You also need to have a passion for art to enjoy your work.
Strong communication skills: As a curatorial assistant you must be able to communicate effectively with curators, gallery visitors and other team members and explain in simple terms how works of art make sense and why they are important.
Strong organizational and time management skills: May need to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines. You also need to effectively organize and track information.
Ability to work as part of a team: You must collaborate with others to complete projects. Listen to and respect the opinions of others.
Ability to work independently: it is better to be able to work alone and finish projects. Think independently and come up with creative solutions.
Suggestions for developing skills
If you are interested in becoming a curatorial assistant, you can develop your skills by doing the following:
Education: A bachelor’s degree in art, art history, or a related field is a great starting point. This degree gives you the knowledge and skills necessary to work in galleries and museums.
Work Experience: Gaining relevant work experience is also important. You can work as a volunteer in a museum or start as an assistant curator in a small gallery.
Professional training: participating in training courses and workshops in this field can also help you develop your skills.
special skills:
In addition to the general skills listed above, some specialized skills can be useful for a curatorial assistant. These skills include:
Technical skills: Some galleries use specialized software to manage collections, exhibitions, and other aspects of gallery operations. The curatorial assistant should be able to use these softwares.
Language skills: If you want to work in an international gallery or museum, knowing foreign languages will be useful.
Technical art skills: If you are interested in practical art work, you can improve technical art skills such as painting, sculpting or photography. These skills can help you work in different parts of a gallery, such as collecting, conserving, maintaining and displaying artwork.
Required education:
Becoming a curatorial assistant usually requires a bachelor’s degree in art, art history, or a related field. However, some galleries and museums may also consider people with an associate’s degree or relevant work experience as appropriate.
Career development:
With more experience and training, a curatorial assistant can be promoted to higher positions such as curator or curator of galleries and museums.
Frequently Questions:
Salary: The salary of a curatorial assistant varies depending on the size of the gallery and museum, experience and skills. On average, a curatorial assistant in the United States earns $35,000 to $50,000 per year.
Working hours: The working hours of the curatorial assistant can vary according to the gallery and the area in which he works. However, many curatorial assistants must be available to work night shifts, weekends, and holidays.
Career Opportunities: Curatorial Assistant career opportunities are available across the country. Galleries and museums come in all sizes and art fields, so you can find a position that fits your interests and skills.
Conclusion
Curatorial Assistant is a challenging and interesting job position that allows you to enjoy art and culture. Participating in art-related volunteer activities can help you increase your knowledge and skills in this field. Take classes in art history and art techniques. These classes allow you to increase your knowledge about art and test your skills in different art fields.
Go to museums and art galleries. Visiting these places will help you learn more about different works of art and train your eye for works of art.
Talk to curators and other art professionals. These people can work as curatorial assistants and advise you on the skills needed to succeed in this field.
And finally, by developing your knowledge and skills, you can increase your chances of becoming an assistant curator and then a successful curator.
Samples :
POSITION DESCRIPTION
The Curatorial Assistant is responsible for a variety of curatorial and administrative tasks including managing contacts and correspondence; providing trustee committee support; budget tracking; assisting with the coordination of didactic materials and exhibition documentation; writing and editing curatorial-related copy; and occasional collection research.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
• Provides support to all curators in line with position description.
• Manages the calendar for Senior Curator in particular and the department generally.
• Provides curatorial committee support, serves as liaison to committee chair, organizes meetings, prepares agenda, and drafts and distributes minutes.
• Handles inquiries (mail, telephone or e-mail) about collections, exhibitions, appraisals, conservation services, selling or donating works of art to the museum.
• Assists with managing department budget; processes all curatorial paperwork related to invoices, handles requisitions and checks. Prepares requisition forms for department activities.
• In collaboration with curators and registrar tracks each object through the acquisition process.
• Assists in the development, copyediting, design, and production of exhibition and installation didactic materials, such as wall text, labels, gallery guides, and other content. Ensures accuracy of information on publications, in print and online, as needed.
• Obtains permissions and copyright clearance for images and maintains accurate credit lines.
• Assists with coordination of logistical needs for artist/curator visits including arranging honoraria, travel, lodging, meals, and any event-related logistics.
• Assists with hosting visiting artists/curators, including itineraries, transportation, and entertainment.
• Conducts curatorial research as requested in line with experience and training.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
- Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s Degree in Art or Art History. Master’s Degree desirable.
- 2+ years comprehensive administrative work experie.
- • Museum or arts organization experience required.
Skills and Abilities
• Ability to understand and learn the museum’s collection.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Well-developed written and verbal communication skills. Demonstrated editing and proofreading skills.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Computer proficiency with PC and Mac, and Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel and PowerPoint. Experience with collections databases. Photoshop and InDesign desirable.
• Excellent interpersonal skills. Self-directed, ability to anticipate actions needed. Ability to juggle multiple tasks and meet demanding deadlines.
• Ability to exercise discretion and to be a team player in an active office environment.
• Successful experience monitoring budgets.
• Fluency in English
WORKING CONDITIONS
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a Curatorial Assistant encounters while performing the essential functions of the role: Climate controlled art museum with display galleries, standard offices, café, library/archives, theater, museum shop, and other non-public spaces. Work is performed primarily indoors and occasionally outdoors in lobbies, art display galleries, public and as well as non-public offices and storage areas. Our Covid-19 related protocols mandate the wearing of masks by staff and visitors in all public areas and group settings. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to receive oral and written instructions in English and to clearly communicate in English in person, over the telephone, through email and through other electronic means. Employee is required to move about their work area, between galleries and storage areas, ascend and descend stairs; and stand and/or sit for extended periods of time. The employee is occasionally required to lift, drag and/or move up to 15 pounds unassisted. The employee is required to visually or otherwise identify, observe and assess. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with a disability to perform the essential functions to the extent the Wadsworth may do so without undue hardship. The term “qualified individual with a disability” means an individual who with or without reasonable accommodation can perform the essential functions of the position.
