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Career Profile

Curator

A curator researches, selects, organises and oversees collections, exhibitions or displays in museums, galleries, libraries or other cultural institutions, helping to preserve and interpret items for the public.
Creative and MediaHumanities and Social Sciences
Average weekly salary
$1995
Future demand
Very strong
Most common education level
Postgraduate degree

What does a curator do?

You may be wondering, what is curator and what does this career involve? Armed with a discerning gaze and a passion for culture, curators search high and low for the perfect pieces for their exhibits. As a curator, you would browse through archives and use your networks to acquire and develop collections. While an art curator is perhaps the most well-known title, there are many types of curators and they work freelance or in-house for a range of institutions, from museum curation to government facilities and universities. On any given day, managing your curated spaces might involve arranging for the restoration of artefacts, organising loans, or dealing with enquiries.

Is a career as a curator right for me?

Curators rely on their keen eye, industry knowledge and networks to find hidden treasures perfect for a specific space. This career is often well suited to people who are curious and creative as well as passionate about history, art, culture or heritage, enjoy researching and analysing information, and have a strong eye for detail.

As a curator it’s also helpful to possess other skills and attributes including:

Organisation
Effective time-management and prioritisation skills.
Communication
Clear written and verbal communication skills, supported by strong interpersonal skills.
Teamwork
An ability to work effectively and collaborate with a range of stakeholders.
Professionalism
The ability to take initiative, demonstrate personal drive, and maintain a professional attitude.
Creativity and innovation
Creative expression, storytelling and original thinking.
Industry knowledge
A sound awareness and understanding of industry and trends.

How to become a curator

Every journey to study is individual and there can be several paths to reaching your curation career goals. Typically, curators hold a bachelor's degree in arts or science related to their field of interest, with many pursuing postgraduate qualifications or specialised training in curation. Building practical experience through internships or entry-level roles in museums and galleries is essential, as is developing key skills in collection management, exhibition design, and research. 

One common path to becoming a curator is: 

  1. Complete a bachelor's degree in arts, history, museums and curatorship, visual art, or a related field.
  2. Develop skills in research, collection management, exhibition planning and cultural interpretation.
  3. Gain practical experience through internships, volunteering or entry-level roles in museums, galleries, archives or cultural institutions.
  4. Consider postgraduate study or specialised training in curatorship to build advanced expertise and improve career opportunities.
  5. Apply for curator roles and continue building professional networks and experience managing collections and exhibitions.

How long does it take to become a curator?

The time it takes to become a curator will vary depending on your education, experience and career goals. Typically, it takes three to five years to become a curator, including completing a relevant bachelor's degree and gaining practical experience through internships, volunteering or entry-level roles in museums, galleries, archives or cultural institutions. Many curators also undertake postgraduate study or specialised training to advance their careers.

Start your journey with UniSQ

Build the knowledge and practical skills needed to preserve, manage and interpret cultural, historical and artistic collections with a UniSQ degree. Gain expertise valued by museums, galleries, heritage institutions and cultural organisations.

Bachelor of Visual Art
Go to degree
Bachelor of Communication and Creative Industries
Go to degree
Need help planning your career journey?
Book a career conversation

Responsibilities and work settings

Day-to-day responsibilities

Planning and organising material acquisition and display setups.

Designing layout and lighting for historical, scientific, or art exhibitions.

Researching displayed items, creating publications, delivering public lectures, and launching exhibitions.

Identifying, classifying, and coordinating the restoration of specimens and objects.

Assessing items for condition and authenticity through examinations.

Overseeing and managing central records systems within organisations.

Where you might work

Museums, galleries and heritage institutions

Arts and creative organisations

Government agencies, departments and councils

Universities and higher education providers

Research institutes and research centres

Non-profit, charity and community organisations

Media, publishing and broadcasting organisations

Curator FAQs

The art curator salary in Australia varies based on experience and institution size, as well as your niche. Please see the salary information on this page for further details.

To become a museum curator, a bachelor’s degree in arts ora related field is typically required. Many positions may require postgraduate qualifications or specialised training in curation.

Becoming a museum curator can be challenging due to the competitive nature of the field, often requiring specialised education, deep expertise in a particular subject area, and practical experience gained through internships or entry-level positions in museums. UniSQ offers degrees and courses that provide essential knowledge, practical training, and industry connections, helping you develop the expertise and hands-on experience needed to succeed in this career path.

Key curator skills include expertise in collection management, research, exhibition development, communication, project management, and a deep understanding of the subject matter relevant to the collections they manage.

The demand for gallery and art curators is moderate. Opportunities do exist within museums, galleries, and cultural institutions, but competition can be high. Those with specialised knowledge, strong networking skills, and relevant experience, or a postgraduate qualification are more likely to stand out and succeed in this field.

Related careers

Historian
Archaeologist
Librarian
Anthropologist

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Disclaimer: UniSQ’s Career Finder is a guide only. While reasonable care is taken to ensure accuracy, career information may change over time. Career statistics are sourced from Your Career and Jobs and Skills Australia. © Commonwealth of Australia. Licensed under CC BY 4.0. Salary figures listed on this page are in Australian Dollars (AUD).