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Art Museum Jobs (NOW HIRING)

University of Kentucky

Museum Assistant

Lexington, KY · On-site

$12/hr

Art Museum Work Location Lexington, KY Salary Range $12.00/hour Type of Position Student Position Time Status Part-Time Required Education Enrolled as a UK Student Required Related Experience NA ...

University of Kentucky

Museum Assistant

Lexington, KY

$12/hr

Art Museum Work Location Lexington, KY Salary Range $12.00/hour Type of Position Student Position Time Status Part-Time Required Education Enrolled as a UK Student Required Related Experience NA ...

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$27K

$69.6K

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How much do art museum jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 20, 2026, the average yearly pay for art museum in the United States is $69,553.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $36,000.00 and $99,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Is it hard to get hired at a museum?

Getting hired at a museum can be competitive, especially for positions such as curators, educators, or conservators, which often require relevant education, experience, and specialized skills. Entry-level roles may have less strict requirements but still benefit from a background in art, history, or related fields, along with strong communication and organizational skills.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Art Museum Curator, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Art Museum Curator, you need expertise in art history, collection management, and exhibit design, typically supported by a master's degree in art history or museum studies. Familiarity with collection management software, digital archiving tools, and conservation techniques is essential. Strong communication, organizational skills, and creative problem-solving help in engaging audiences and collaborating with artists and stakeholders. These capabilities ensure meaningful exhibitions, effective stewardship of collections, and a rich visitor experience.

How do I start a career in art museums?

To start a career in art museums, gaining a relevant bachelor's degree in art history, museum studies, or a related field is essential. Internships, volunteer work, and developing skills in curation, collections management, or education can improve job prospects; familiarity with museum software and strong communication skills are also valuable.

What is the difference between Art Museum vs Art Gallery?

AspectArt MuseumArt Gallery
CredentialsTypically requires art history or museum studies degreesOften requires art or design background, less formal education
Work EnvironmentIndoor, climate-controlled, public spaces with exhibitsIndoor, often more commercial or private spaces, may include sales
Employer & IndustryPublic or private institutions dedicated to preservation and educationCommercial or private spaces focused on sales and exhibitions
Common Search & ComparisonPeople compare art museums and art galleries to understand differences in purpose and experience

While both art museums and art galleries showcase artworks, art museums focus on preservation, education, and public access, often requiring specialized degrees. Art galleries primarily serve as commercial spaces for selling and exhibiting art, with less emphasis on preservation. Understanding these differences helps visitors and professionals choose the right environment for their interests or careers.

What are some common challenges faced by staff working in an art museum, and how can they be effectively managed?

Working in an art museum often involves balancing the preservation of valuable artworks with providing an engaging visitor experience. Staff may face challenges such as maintaining security, handling delicate pieces, and managing large crowds during special exhibitions. Effective communication with team members, regular training on conservation practices, and using visitor flow strategies can help address these challenges. Collaborative problem-solving and a strong focus on both guest service and collection care are key to a successful work environment.

What kind of jobs do art museums have?

Art museums employ a variety of roles including curators, collections managers, education coordinators, conservators, security staff, visitor services associates, and administrative personnel. These jobs often require specialized knowledge of art, museum operations, or customer service skills, and may involve working with artwork, visitors, or museum technology.

What qualifications do I need to work at a museum?

To work at an art museum, candidates typically need a relevant educational background such as a degree in art history, museum studies, or a related field. Experience with art handling, curation, or customer service can be beneficial, and some roles may require specialized certifications or knowledge of museum management systems. Strong communication skills and attention to detail are also important.

What are art museum jobs?

Art museum jobs encompass a wide range of positions dedicated to preserving, displaying, and interpreting works of art. Common roles include curators, who manage collections and organize exhibitions; educators, who design programs for visitors; conservators, who restore and protect artwork; and administrative staff, who handle operations and fundraising. These professionals work together to ensure that art museums fulfill their cultural and educational missions. Other positions may include visitor services, marketing, and security.

What Are Jobs in an Art Museum?

Art museum jobs involve the curation, care, acquisition, and display of artwork and the general operation of a museum or gallery. There are many different career options in this field. For example, you could work a curator, a career in which your duties involve managing gallery operations and the display of artwork. As an archivist, you manage and catalog the art collection from each period. You can also install artwork and make exhibit repairs and improvements as a technician. After you gain experience in the art world, you can move up to a museum director position and oversee the entire museum.

More about Art Museum jobs
What cities are hiring for Art Museum jobs? Cities with the most Art Museum job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Art Museum jobs? The most popular types of Art Museum jobs are:
What states have the most Art Museum jobs? States with the most job openings for Art Museum jobs include:
Art Museum jobs near you
Infographic showing various Art Museum job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $69,553 per year, or $33.4 per hour.
FWS Summer 2026, Art Museum - Museum Assistant

FWS Summer 2026, Art Museum - Museum Assistant

University of Kentucky

Lexington, KY • On-site

$12/hr

Full-time, Part-time, Temporary

Re-posted 12 days ago

University Of Kentucky rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 132 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

275th of 555 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Posting Details
Posting Details
Job Title
FWS Summer 2026, Art Museum - Museum Assistant
Requisition Number
DU14661
Department Name
1B531:Federal Work Study
Work Location
405 Rose Street Lexington, KY 40506
Salary Range
$12.00
Type of Position
Student
Position Time Status
Part-Time
Required Education
Enrolled as a UK student.
Required Related Experience
N/A
Required License/Registration/Certification
N/A
Physical Requirements
Lift up to 20 lbs.
Shift
Wednesday - Friday from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm.
Saturday from 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm.
Flexible hours with work between classes.
10/15 hours per week.
Job Summary
| The UK Art Museum seeks outgoing and curious students to be part of our team. We produce numerous historical and contemporary art exhibitions throughout the year and are a destination for art lovers of all ages. Our mission is to contribute to the academic goals of UK, as well as provide unique experiences for the citizens of Lexington, Kentucky, and beyond. We are a small staff of dedicated professionals who want to mentor and empower creative individuals. Student staff members are the first point of contact for visitors, and are responsible for ensuring a safe, informative, and impactful Art Museum experience. Student staff members receive training and professional experience in many aspects of museum practices, including Visitor and Member Services, Education, Exhibitions, and more. They will have opportunities to meet visiting artists and lecturers, assist with events, and forge connections with University and community leaders. This position has the potential to boost students toward future jobs, residencies, grants, and other opportunities. Knowledge of or experience with art, art history, arts administration, or similar field of study is preferred, but only a desire to engage and learn within these subjects is required.
Job Responsibilities: Welcome visitors and introduce them to the Museum Track attendance and verify reservations. Promote museum events and membership opportunities. Act as museum educators and engage visitors in critical discussions. Contribute to Student Membership programming. Serve as museum ambassadors to the UK campus population. Answer phone calls and visitor queries (or refer to appropriate staff). Provide protective oversight of art on view and assist with exhibition installation and de-installation. Conduct gift shop transactions.
Skills / Knowledge / Abilities
N/A
Does this position have supervisory responsibilities?
No
Preferred Education/Experience
N/A
Deadline to Apply
08/07/2026
Our University Community
We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.
The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.
Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.

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About University of Kentucky

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

The University of Kentucky (UK), the state's flagship university, was founded in 1865 and its beautiful, sprawling campus, nestled in downtown Lexington, now covers over 900 acres and is home to more than 30,000 students and approximately 13,500 employees. The trees and beautifully manicured greenspaces are a source of pride for the university and combine to create an impressive oasis amidst the busy cityscape that surrounds it.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Lexington, KY, US

Year founded

1865

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