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Associate Curator Jobs in Philadelphia, PA (NOW HIRING)

WHYY INC

Associate Digital Producer

Philadelphia, PA · On-site

About the Role The Associate Producer, Digital executes digital strategy through the creation, curation, and distribution of digital content. This includes, but is not limited to video and audio ...

WHYY Inc

Associate Digital Producer

Philadelphia, PA · On-site

About the Role The Associate Producer, Digital executes digital strategy through the creation, curation, and distribution of digital content. This includes, but is not limited to video and audio ...

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All JobsAssociate Curator JobsAssociate Curator Jobs in Philadelphia, PA

Associate Curator information

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$16

$26

$32

How much do associate curator jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for associate curator in Philadelphia, PA is $26.36, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $24.04 and $28.89 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an associate curator?

Associate Curators are museum or gallery professionals responsible for assisting in the development, organization, and management of collections and exhibitions. They work closely with senior curators to research, acquire, and interpret objects or artworks, and may also help design and implement educational programs. Their role often involves cataloging items, preparing materials for display, and collaborating with other departments to enhance the visitor experience. Associate Curators are typically early- to mid-career professionals who contribute to both the scholarly and practical aspects of a museum or gallery’s mission.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an associate curator, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Associate Curator, you need a solid background in art history or a related field, often supported by a master's degree and prior museum experience. Familiarity with collection management systems, exhibition planning software, and research databases is typically required. Strong organizational, communication, and collaboration skills help you coordinate exhibitions and engage diverse audiences. These competencies ensure effective stewardship of collections, successful programming, and enhanced visitor experiences.

What are some typical challenges faced by an associate curator when developing new exhibitions?

Associate Curators often navigate challenges such as balancing scholarly research with audience engagement, managing tight deadlines, and coordinating with multiple departments like education, marketing, and installation teams. They must ensure that the exhibition aligns with the institution's mission and collection strengths while also appealing to a diverse audience. Additionally, Associate Curators regularly collaborate with artists, lenders, and conservators, which requires strong communication and organizational skills.

What is the difference between Associate Curator vs Collections Manager?

AspectAssociate CuratorCollections Manager
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in art, history, or related field; experience in curationBachelor's degree; experience in collections management, preservation, or related field
Work EnvironmentMuseums, galleries, cultural institutionsMuseums, archives, cultural institutions
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in museums and galleries for curatorial rolesUsed in museums and cultural institutions for managing collections
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared for roles involving curation and collection oversightCompared with curatorial roles for collection management responsibilities

The Associate Curator primarily focuses on developing exhibitions, researching collections, and assisting with curation. The Collections Manager handles the preservation, cataloging, and physical management of collections. While both roles work closely within museums, the Associate Curator emphasizes research and exhibition planning, whereas the Collections Manager concentrates on collection care and logistics.

Do I need a degree to be an associate curator?

An associate curator typically benefits from a bachelor's degree in art history, museum studies, or a related field, though requirements can vary by employer. Relevant experience, internships, and knowledge of collections management are also important for this role.

Is an associate curator higher than an assistant curator?

Yes, an associate curator is generally higher than an assistant curator. The associate curator typically has more experience, responsibilities, and authority in managing collections and exhibitions, while the assistant curator supports these tasks and often is earlier in their career. Career progression usually moves from assistant to associate to senior or chief curator roles.

What are the most commonly searched types of Curator jobs in Philadelphia, PA?

The most popular types of Curator jobs in Philadelphia, PA are:

What are popular job titles related to Associate Curator jobs in Philadelphia, PA?

For Associate Curator jobs in Philadelphia, PA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Associate Curator jobs in Philadelphia, PA look for?

The top searched job categories for Associate Curator jobs in Philadelphia, PA are:

What cities near Philadelphia, PA are hiring for Associate Curator jobs?

Cities near Philadelphia, PA with the most Associate Curator job openings:

Associate Curator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Associate Curator job openings in Philadelphia, PA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 69% Full Time, 27% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $60,264 per year, or $29 per hour.

Associate Professor/Professor of Anthropology and Associate Curator/Curator and Director of the Penn

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 14 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Participate in exhibition, research, education, and outreach activities related to collections within the Penn Museum.

  • Lead or oversee a portfolio of global cultural heritage projects, including surveys, initiatives, and programming funded through grants.

  • Create and implement a strategic plan for the Penn Cultural Heritage Center to enhance its research and cultural heritage activities.

University Of Pennsylvania rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 81 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

171st of 631 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Description
The Department of Anthropology and the Penn Museum at the University of Pennsylvania (Penn) invite applications for a tenured faculty position and Curator/Director of the Penn Cultural Heritage Center (PennCHC) beginning in the 2027-28 academic year. We seek to appoint an associate or full Professor. The successful candidate should have expertise in archaeology and cultural heritage. Candidates should have a record of bringing together academics with non-academic stakeholders as well as organizing and managing cultural heritage initiatives. While the area of specialization is open, we are particularly interested in candidates with active research in the Americas and/or Africa who situate their research within global heritage scholarship.
The Department of Anthropology is housed within the School of Arts & Sciences, which is comprised of 28 academic departments, the College of Arts and Sciences, the Graduate Division, and the College of Liberal and Professional Studies. We promote and encourage curiosity, intellectual engagement, and discovery among all our students and faculty. The Department offers an undergraduate major that provides students with an understanding of the modern discipline of anthropology and a Ph.D. program that trains students across the subdisciplines of anthropology.
Within the Department, the candidate's research should articulate with existing departmental faculty expertise in archaeology, while also contributing to departmental goals of innovative and collaborative research that crosses sub-disciplinary lines. Teaching responsibilities will include both undergraduate and graduate courses in the area of research specialization. Faculty-curators have their teaching load reduced from four to two courses per year. The candidate will also participate in the mentorship of undergraduate and graduate students working in these areas.
In the Penn Museum, the candidate will serve as associate curator/curator in the Curatorial Section closest to their research specialization, and in the position of Director of the PennCHC. As curator, the candidate will participate in exhibition, research, education, and outreach activities related to the collections within the Section. As head of the PennCHC, the Director will lead or oversee a growing portfolio of global cultural heritage projects with PennCHC principal investigators, including a national survey of museum collecting practices, convening initiatives, and cultural rights programming funded through an IMLS National Leadership Grant through 2028. Additionally, the Director will seek opportunities to collaborate closely with colleagues who run other cultural heritage research endeavors across the Penn Museum and Penn, and to work with them to position the PennCHC as a research and convening center for discussion of heritage-related activities. The Director will create and implement a new, ambitious strategic plan for the Center, in consultation with Penn CHC's Director of Research and Programs and the Museum's Williams Director and Executive Team, that will centralize and build greater capacity for all of these cultural heritage endeavors at the Penn Museum and the University of Pennsylvania.
Qualifications
Qualifications include:
• Expertise in anthropological archaeology and cultural heritage.
• Experience organizing and managing cultural heritage initiatives.
• Successful track record of significant scholarship as evidenced by:
o Research/publication record
o External funding record
o Teaching at both the graduate and undergraduate levels and mentoring and supporting a diverse student body
o The direction of graduate/undergraduate research for students from a wide range of backgrounds
• Candidates are expected to have PhD in anthropology or a related discipline
Application Instructions
• Please provide the following application materials to apply.interfolio.com/192265 :
o CV
o Letter of Application
• Review of applications will begin on November 1, 2026.
• Please contact Colleen Lawson (lawsonco@sas.upenn.edu, (215) 898-7443) with questions regarding the application process

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About University of Pennsylvania

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The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn's distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America's Best Employers By State in 2021.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Philadelphia, PA, US

Year founded

1740

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