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Associate Museum Curator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Associate Curator

New York, NY · On-site

$90K - $100K/yr

About Our Organization Founded in 1968, the Studio Museum in Harlem is the nexus for artists of ... Job Summary The Associate Curator will assume primary responsibility for the execution and ...

Curatorial Associate

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$93K - $98K/yr

Curatorial Associate The American Museum of Natural History is one of the world's preeminent scientific and cultural institutions, and has as its mission to discover, interpret, and disseminate ...

$50K/yr

Comprised of three Art Partners-Alliance Theatre, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and High Museum of Art-there's a role for everyone at The Woodruff. Reports to: Senior Curator, Modern & Contemporary Art ...

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Associate Museum Curator information

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How much do associate museum curator jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for associate museum curator in the United States is $28.71, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $26.20 and $31.49 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Associate Museum Curator vs Museum Curator?

AspectAssociate Museum CuratorMuseum Curator
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's degree in Art History, Museum Studies, or related field; some experienceSimilar educational background; often more experience required
Work EnvironmentAssist with exhibitions, collections, and research under supervisionLead projects, make curatorial decisions, oversee collections
Employer & Industry UsageCommon entry-level or mid-level role in museums and galleriesSenior or lead role in similar institutions
Search & Comparison IntentYes, often compared for career progressionYes, as a more advanced position

The Associate Museum Curator typically supports curatorial activities, assisting with collections and exhibitions, often as an entry or mid-level role. The Museum Curator holds more responsibility, leading projects and making key decisions. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds, but the Museum Curator usually has more experience and authority within the museum setting.

What are some typical responsibilities of an Associate Museum Curator, and how do they collaborate with other museum staff?

An Associate Museum Curator is often responsible for assisting with the development, organization, and interpretation of museum collections and exhibitions. They frequently conduct research, help manage collections, and contribute to exhibition planning and installation. Collaboration is key in this role, as Associate Curators regularly work with educators, registrars, conservators, and marketing staff to ensure exhibitions are well-researched, preserved, and effectively communicated to the public. This teamwork helps create engaging and educational experiences for museum visitors.

What does an Associate Museum Curator do?

An Associate Museum Curator assists in managing and developing museum collections, planning exhibitions, and conducting research on artifacts or artworks. They often work under the supervision of a senior curator and collaborate with other museum staff to ensure the proper care and display of items. Their responsibilities can also include writing catalog descriptions, organizing educational programs, and engaging with the public to promote the museum’s mission. Overall, they play a vital role in shaping the museum's offerings and contributing to scholarly research.

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

To thrive as an Associate Museum Curator, you generally need a background in art history or a related field, research skills, and experience with collections management. Familiarity with museum collection databases, cataloguing systems, and sometimes certifications in museum studies are commonly required. Strong organizational abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for collaborating with staff and engaging the public. These competencies ensure the preservation, interpretation, and accessibility of collections, which are essential for the museum's mission and visitor experience.
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Infographic showing various Associate Museum Curator job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $59,714 per year, or $28.7 per hour.
Mary W. Baskett Assoc/Curator of Fashion Arts & Textiles - FT

Mary W. Baskett Assoc/Curator of Fashion Arts & Textiles - FT

Cincinnati Art Museum

Cincinnati, OH • On-site

$75K - $95K/yr

Other

Posted 23 days ago

Be an early applicant


Job description

The Cincinnati Art Museum (CAM) stewards an encyclopedic collection of more than 73,000 works of art spanning 6,000 years. The collection galleries are predominantly organized by geographic region, with rotating spaces dedicated to prints, photography, and textiles. In addition to collection galleries, the museum organizes and hosts numerous exhibitions each year in a series of rotating exhibition galleries. Through research, display, programming, and special events, the museum contributes to a more vibrant Cincinnati by inspiring its people and connecting its communities.

CAM seeks a fashion and textile curator at the Associate or Full level to fill a newly endowed curatorial position. The Mary W. Baskett Associate/Curator of Fashion Arts & Textiles will report to the Director of Curatorial Affairs & Initiatives and will be an active member of a dynamic curatorial team. CAM’s Curatorial Division is currently organized into eight departments: American Painting, Sculpture, & Drawings; East Asian Art; Fashion Arts & Textiles; Decorative Arts & Design; European Painting, Sculpture, & Drawings; Photography; Prints; and South Asian Art, Islamic Art & Antiquities.


POSITION SUMMARY

The Mary W. Baskett Associate/Full Curator of Fashion Arts & Textiles will be responsible for the stewardship, growth, development, and programmatic initiatives of the museum’s fashion and textiles collection. Strengths of the collection include historic American and European dress (predominantly from the 19th century onwards) as well as global contemporary fashion (with notable holdings in Japanese contemporary designers). The collection also includes jewelry, accessories, and ephemeral items.


ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES

Reporting to the Director of Curatorial Affairs & Initiatives, duties include, but are not limited to:

  • Stewardship of the fashion arts and textile collection, including collaborative stewardship of objects that overlap curatorial departments (for example East and South Asian jewelry and textiles; contemporary textile-based arts).
  • Supervision and professional development of a curatorial assistant dedicated to fashion arts and textiles. Supervision of museum interns and volunteers when applicable.
  • Creative and logistical project manager of CAM’s Mary W. Baskett Gallery, including planning twice yearly rotations (object choice, research, mounting, interpretation, press, and publicity) working collaboratively with colleagues across the institution.
  • Generate original exhibitions and project manage temporary traveling exhibitions, as proposed and as assigned. Exhibition-related responsibilities include exhibition narrative development, object research, academic and interpretative writing, and working collaboratively with colleagues to coordinate programming (lectures, gallery activations, symposia), organize loans, develop exhibition design concepts, installation, fundraising, and publicizing projects.
  • Manage Fashion Arts & Textiles department budget; work collaboratively with colleagues to plan and adhere to exhibition and programming budgets as required.
  • Build and maintain relationships with a range of museum constituents, including colleagues across the museum field, donors, dealers, collectors, docents, and artists.
  • Work collaboratively and constructively with colleagues across the institution, including Conservation (to care for, document, store, and mount collection objects); Photo Services (to photograph collection objects); Philanthropy (grant writing and donor stewardship); Marketing and Communications (external publicity); Learning & Interpretation (interpretative gallery texts and programming), and more.
  • Research and catalogue collection objects in TMS. Lecture on and publish original research on topics that center CAM’s collection, programming, and projects for both academic and general audiences.
  • Attend and participate in field-specific symposia, conferences, and lectures; visit museums and galleries in the U.S. and abroad; and represent CAM’s vision and values externally.
  • Research, recommend, propose, and secure new acquisitions (gifts and purchases) for CAM’s collections, including academic and provenance research.
  • Participate in Cincinnati’s broader arts ecosystem, including representing the museum at social and civic events and serving on internal and external committees or panels as applicable.
  • Serve as liaison between the Cincinnati Art Museum and visiting committees and other groups with special interest in the department, including the museum-affiliated Friends of Fashion Arts & Textiles.
  • Other duties as assigned.


MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

  • M.A. in Art History (Ph.D. preferred) with a subject expertise relevant to CAM’s Fashion Arts & Textiles Collection.
  • Minimum of seven (7) years with experience as an Academic Fellow or Assistant/Associate Curator or Curator. Curatorial rank will be commensurate with experience.
  • The Mary W. Baskett Associate/Full Curator of Fashion Arts & Textiles must possess a demonstrated knowledge of museum practices; excellent written and oral communication skills; good working knowledge of the Microsoft Office program suite and other relevant computer programs; a commitment to both academic endeavors and working with diverse public constituencies; and the ability to communicate clearly with a wide range of constituents, including museum staff, donors, museum members, and the general public.
  • Proven ability to work collaboratively and respectively with multiple internal and external stakeholders to achieve institutional objectives.
  • Evening and weekend work as needed.