Art Careers / Curator
What Does a Curator Do? An Art Career for Kids
Curious about this job? Here is what the work looks like, a typical day, the tools, where people do it and how to get started, plus a small activity so you can try it yourself.
What a curator does
A curator chooses and organizes the art in a museum or gallery. They research artworks, plan exhibitions, and decide how to tell a story with the pieces on the walls.
Real-world examples: Thelma Golden, director and chief curator of The Studio Museum in Harlem.
A day on the job
- Research artworks and artists
- Choose works for a new exhibition and plan the layout
- Write wall labels and catalog text
- Work with artists, collectors and other museums on loans
Tools of the job
- Computer and research databases
- Art books and archives
- Gallery floor plans
- Collection records
- Gloves and handling equipment
Where they work
- Museums
- Galleries
- Universities
- Historical sites and companies with art collections
The path in 4 steps
Start now
- Curate a show of your own art or family photos with a title and labels
- Visit museums and notice how rooms are arranged
- Collect and organize something you love
In your teens
- Take art history, history and writing
- Volunteer at a museum or gallery
- Help organize a school art show
Training
Curators typically need a master's degree in art history, history, archaeology or museum studies. Some small museums hire curators with a bachelor's degree.
Build a portfolio
Usually not a visual portfolio. Writing samples, research and exhibitions they helped plan are what count.
Skills that help
- Research
- Writing
- Organizing
- Art history knowledge
- Storytelling
Try this job
A small taste of the real work, using things you already have.
Gather 5 artworks you have made (or 5 pictures from magazines). Choose a theme that connects them, like 'Things That Fly' or 'Blue.' Arrange them in an order that tells a story, write a title for your show, and make a small label for each piece. You just curated an exhibition.
Ms Artastic lessons
Lessons that practise skills this career uses.
Related art careers
Learn more
For pay, job outlook and training details, read the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook page for this kind of work.
Which art career fits you?
Answer a few quick questions and see which art jobs match what you love to do.
Take the Which Art Career Fits You quizQuestions teachers and parents ask
What does a curator do?
A curator chooses and organizes the art in a museum or gallery. They research artworks, plan exhibitions, and decide how to tell a story with the pieces on the walls.
How do you become a curator?
Curators typically need a master's degree in art history, history, archaeology or museum studies. Some small museums hire curators with a bachelor's degree.
What skills does a curator need?
Research, Writing, Organizing, Art history knowledge and Storytelling.
The Artastic Collective art curriculum
Full art lessons, videos and units for the whole year, ready when you are. Monthly, yearly and VIP plans.
