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Curator Of Collections Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Museum Curator

Mesa, AZ · On-site

$75K - $102K/yr

The first review of all applications will be on Monday, July 6, 2026. The Museum Curator develops, interprets, evaluates, communicates, and curates the collections of the Arizona Museum for Natural ...

$48K/yr

ABOUT THE ROLE Provide administrative and accounting support for the Chief Curator and Deputy Director of Collections and Exhibitions. All duties will be approached in a manner consistent with the ...

Collections Associate

Taos, NM

$17 - $23.50/hr

The Harwood Museum of Art of the University of New Mexico, based off-campus in Taos, New Mexico ... Working collaboratively across curatorial, exhibitions, education, and operations, this position ...

Collections Associate

Taos, NM · On-site

$17 - $23.50/hr

The Harwood Museum of Art of the University of New Mexico, based off-campus in Taos, New Mexico ... Working collaboratively across curatorial, exhibitions, education, and operations, this position ...

Showing results 41-60

Curator Of Collections information

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$40K

$68.3K

$98K

How much do curator of collections jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for curator of collections in the United States is $68,256.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $52,500.00 and $96,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Curator Of Collections vs Archivist?

AspectCurator Of CollectionsArchivist
Required CredentialsMaster's degree in Museum Studies, Art History, or related fieldBachelor's or Master's in Archival Science, History, or related
Work EnvironmentMuseums, galleries, cultural institutionsArchives, libraries, historical repositories
Employer & Industry UsageCommonly employed in museums and cultural institutionsFound in archives, government agencies, and research institutions
Search & Comparison IntentOften compared for roles involving collection management and curationCompared for roles focused on preserving and organizing records

While both roles involve managing collections, the Curator Of Collections primarily focuses on acquiring, caring for, and displaying art or artifacts in museums or galleries. The Archivist specializes in preserving and organizing historical records and documents, often in archives or repositories. Both require strong organizational skills and relevant credentials, but their work environments and focus areas differ significantly.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a curator of collections?

To thrive as a Curator of Collections, you need expertise in art history or museum studies, strong research abilities, and typically a master's degree in a relevant field. Familiarity with collection management systems, digital cataloging tools, and conservation techniques is essential. Exceptional organizational skills, attention to detail, and effective communication enhance collaboration with staff and engagement with the public. These skills ensure the responsible stewardship, preservation, and accessibility of valuable collections for education and enjoyment.

How does a curator of collections typically collaborate with other museum staff and departments?

A Curator of Collections works closely with a range of museum professionals, including registrars, conservators, educators, and exhibition designers. Collaboration is essential for planning exhibitions, developing educational programs, and ensuring proper care and documentation of objects. Curators often participate in cross-departmental meetings and may lead or contribute to project teams focused on collection management, acquisitions, and community engagement. This collaborative approach helps ensure that the museum’s collections are accessible, well-preserved, and meaningfully interpreted for diverse audiences.

What does a curator of collections do?

A curator of collections is responsible for acquiring, managing, and preserving a collection of artifacts, artworks, or specimens. They organize exhibitions, conduct research, and ensure proper documentation using cataloging systems. The role often requires knowledge of conservation techniques and relevant industry standards.

How much does a curator of collections get paid?

A curator of collections typically earns a median annual salary of around $50,000 to $70,000, depending on experience, location, and the institution. Salaries can vary based on the size of the organization and the complexity of the collections managed.

Do curators of collections make a lot of money?

Curators of collections typically earn a median annual salary ranging from $40,000 to $70,000, depending on experience, location, and the institution. Salaries can be higher for senior or specialized curators, especially in large museums or cultural organizations, and often require a relevant degree and knowledge of collections management tools.
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Infographic showing various Curator Of Collections job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $68,256 per year, or $32.8 per hour.

$45K/yr

Contractor

Posted 5 days ago


Job description

The New Britain Museum of American Art seeks an outstanding emerging scholar to serve as the Luce Curatorial Fellow in support of Puerto Rico in Focus: Historical Interventions, a major exhibition and scholarly initiative exploring the intersections of Puerto Rican and American art. Working closely with the two exhibition co-curators based in Connecticut and Puerto Rico, the Fellow will contribute to all phases of exhibition research, catalogue development, loan coordination, scholarly convenings, and public engagement.
This fellowship offers an exceptional opportunity for a highly organized, intellectually curious, and collaborative scholar who is eager to contribute to new research in the field of American art while gaining experience across every stage of exhibition development. The successful candidate will thrive in a dynamic museum environment, balancing independent research with cross-departmental collaboration, managing multiple projects simultaneously, and engaging thoughtfully with colleagues, lenders, scholars, and community partners. A demonstrated interest in expanding scholarship on Puerto Rican and American art, together with a commitment to careful research, clear communication, and collaborative problem-solving, will be essential to success in this role.
The Fellow will become an integral member of the Museum's Curatorial Department while undertaking research in both Connecticut and Puerto Rico. This fellowship is generously funded by the Henry Luce Foundation and forms part of the Museum's multi-year Puerto Rico in Focus initiative, which seeks to broaden understandings of American art by examining the historical, cultural, and artistic connections between Puerto Rico and the United States
Reporting Relationship:
Reports to the Director of Collections & Exhibitions and co-curator of the exhibition, with routine and direct work with co-curator based at the University of Puerto Rico; works collaboratively with exhibition co-curators and Museum staff across the Curatorial, Registration, Learning & Engagement, Collections, and Marketing departments.
Key Responsibilities:
Curatorial Research
  • Conduct original scholarly research supporting the development of the exhibition.
  • Research artists, artworks, collections, historical contexts, and themes relating to Puerto Rican and American art.
  • Assist with development and refinement of the exhibition checklist.
  • Conduct collection and archival research during research trips in Puerto Rico and the mainland United States.
  • Compile and maintain research files, bibliographies, chronologies, and artist dossiers.
  • Assist with provenance, exhibition history, bibliography, and object research.

Exhibition Catalogue
  • Support research for the exhibition catalogue.
  • Compile bibliographies, image permissions, and reference materials.
  • Coordinate research requests for contributing authors.
  • Assist with preparation of artist biographies and object entries.
  • Track catalogue deadlines and editorial workflow.

Loan Coordination
  • Assist with identifying and researching prospective loans.
  • Assist with the drafting and management of loan requests.
  • Coordinate loan communications with lending institutions.
  • Work closely with the Registration Department to track loan status and documentation.
  • Maintain records related to exhibition loans and lender communications.

Project Coordination
  • Provide administrative coordination between the exhibition co-curators.
  • Maintain project timelines and research calendars.
  • Assist with meeting preparation, agendas, and documentation.
  • Coordinate internal communications among Museum departments participating in the project.

Scholarly Convening
  • Assist in planning and implementing a scholarly advisory convening.
  • Coordinate travel, logistics, honoraria, scheduling, and meeting materials.
  • Prepare background research and briefing materials.
  • Document proceedings and follow-up actions.

Public Engagement
  • Collaborate with the Learning & Engagement Department to support the development of exhibition-related public programs.
  • Assist in preparing research and interpretive materials for educational programming.
  • Coordinate curatorial content for the Museum's Bloomberg Connects digital guide.
  • Support bilingual interpretive initiatives where appropriate.

Budget and Administrative Support
  • Assist with tracking project expenditures.
  • Process invoices and consultant payments.
  • Maintain project files and grant documentation.
  • Assist with preparation of reports for grant funders.

Collection Development
  • Conduct research supporting potential acquisitions that strengthen the Museum's holdings of Puerto Rican art.
  • Identify works that support the long-term goals of the Puerto Rico in Focus initiative.
  • Prepare research reports on prospective acquisitions.

Qualifications:
  • Master's degree in Art History, Museum Studies, or a closely related field (Ph.D. candidates encouraged to apply).
  • Museum or gallery experience.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of Puerto Rican, Caribbean, Latin American, or American art and an interest in art from the 18th to the 20th centuries.
  • Excellent research and writing skills, with experience conducting archival or object-based research.
  • Fluency in writing, reading and speaking in Spanish.
  • Strong organizational and project management abilities.
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
  • Ability to travel domestically, including multiple research trips to Puerto Rico.

The New Britain Museum of American Art is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace that reflects the communities we serve and the rich cultural stories we steward. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.