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Archivists and Curators
Overview » Industry Pathways » Visual Arts 
Archivists and curators love examining old coins, stamps, documents, paintings and many other objects to learn about and discover their hidden secrets and truths! They acquire and preserve important documents and other valuable items for permanent storage or display. They work for a variety of public and private establishments including museums, governments, zoos, colleges and universities, corporations, and other institutions that require experts to preserve important records.
They also describe, catalogue, analyze, exhibit, and maintain valuable objects and collections for the benefit of researchers and the public. These documents and collections may include works of art, transcripts of meetings, coins and stamps, plants and animals, and historic buildings and sites.
Archivists have some administrative responsibilities, and may also coordinate educational and public outreach programs, such as tours, workshops, lectures, and classes.
Although some duties of archivists and curators are similar, the types of items they deal with differ. Curators usually handle objects with cultural, biological, or historical significance, such as sculptures, textiles, and paintings; while archivists handle records and documents that are retained because of their importance and potential value in the future.
Computers are increasingly being used to generate and maintain archival records, and the use of multimedia and the Internet now allow more records to be stored and exhibited electronically. As new storage media are invented, archivists must keep abreast of technological advances in electronic information storage.
Curators also have some administrative and research responsibilities and manage the affairs of museums, zoos, aquariums, botanical gardens, nature centers, and historic sites. The head curator of the museum is usually called the museum director.
They are also responsible for authenticating, evaluating, and categorizing the specimens in a collection. This requires lots of knowledge, research, and patience. Imagine thinking you have a unique collection of paintings and open your collection to the public, and then the newspapers uncover that your collection is just a copy of the originals that are still hidden somewhere. How embarrassing! Anyone who has seen Raiders of The Lost Ark remembers the many clues Indiana Jones had to follow to finally locate the lost ark.
Archivists, curators and related jobs such as museum technicians held about 16,000 jobs in 2006. About 35 percent were employed in museums, historical sites, and similar institutions, and 15 percent worked for state and private educational institutions, mainly college and university libraries.
Nearly 40 percent worked in federal, state, and local government. Most federal archivists work for the National Archives and Records Administration; others manage military archives in the U.S. Department of Defense. Most federal government curators work at the Smithsonian Institution, in the military museums of the Department of Defense, and in archaeological and other museums and historic sites managed by the U.S. Department of the Interior.
All State governments have archival or historical-record sections employing archivists. State and local governments also have numerous historical museums, parks, libraries, and zoos employing curators.
Some large corporations that have archives or record centers employ archivists to manage the growing volume of records created or maintained as required by law or necessary to the firms’ operations. Religious and fraternal organizations, professional associations, conservation organizations, major private collectors, and research firms also employ archivists and curators.
Qualified applicants outnumber job openings, and the competition for jobs as archivists and curators is expected to be strong. Getting a good education is very important to being successfully competitive in this field. Graduates with highly specialized training, such as master’s degrees in both library science and history, with a concentration in archives or records management and extensive computer skills should have the best opportunities for jobs as archivists.
A job as a curator is also attractive to many people, and many applicants have the necessary training and knowledge of the subject, but there are only a few openings. Consequently, candidates may have to work part time, as an intern, or even as a volunteer assistant curator or research associate after completing their formal education. Gaining lots of work experience in collection management, exhibit design, or restoration, as well as database management skills, will be necessary for eventually locating full time employment. Job opportunities for curators should be best in art and history museums, since these are the largest employers in the museum industry.
Employment of archivists and curators is expected to increase about as fast as the average for all occupations through 2016. Jobs are expected to grow as public and private organizations emphasize establishing archives and organizing records and information and as public interest in science, art, history, and technology increases.
Although the rate of turnover among archivists and curators is relatively low, the need to replace workers who leave the occupation or retire will create some additional job openings.
Employment as an archivist or curator usually requires graduate education and related work experience. While completing their formal education, many archivists and curators work in museums to gain the “hands-on” experience that many employers seek.
Although most archivists have a variety of undergraduate degrees, a graduate degree in history or library science, with courses in archival science, is preferred by most employers. Approximately 65 colleges and universities offer courses or practical training in archival science as part of their history, library science, or other curriculum.
Many archives, including one-person shops, are very small and have limited opportunities for promotion. Archivists typically advance by transferring to a larger unit with supervisory positions. A doctorate in history, library science, or a related field may be needed for some advanced positions.
For employment as a curator, most museums require a master’s degree in an appropriate discipline of the museum’s specialty—art, history, or archaeology—or museum studies. Many employers prefer a doctoral degree, particularly for curators in natural history or science museums. In small museums, curatorial positions may be available to individuals with a bachelor’s degree. For some positions, an internship of full-time museum work in addition to taking courses in museum practices is needed.
Curatorial positions often require knowledge in a number of fields. For historic and artistic conservation, courses in chemistry, physics, and art are desirable. Since curators—particularly those in small museums—may have administrative and managerial responsibilities, courses in business administration, public relations, marketing, and fundraising also are recommended. Like archivists, curators need computer skills and the ability to work with electronic databases.
For some programs, knowledge of a foreign language is also helpful. As you can see, there’s lot’s of education and training necessary to prepare for this field, so plan on burning the midnight oil if you decide to enter into the wonderful world of discoveries that await you!
Typical annual earnings of archivists and curators in 2007 were $43,110.
If you are interested in this occupation or are wondering about related occupations, use the links below to continue your exploration. Always remember, the more effort you put into exploring possible careers, the easier it will be for you to discover the best career choices for you!
For career information and links to employment resources contact:
U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: http://www.bls.gov/oco/
Occupational Information Network, O*NET Online: http://online.onetcenter.org/
For information on archivists and on schools offering courses in archival studies, contact:
Society of American Archivists: http://www.archivists.org
For general information about careers as a curator and schools offering courses in museum studies, contact:
American Association of Museums: http://www.aam-us.org
For information about planning and paying for college, visit Junior Achievement’s Financial Aid Center .
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