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Curator Of Exhibits Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Under the supervision of the Curator of Exhibitions, this individual will work independently and as part of a team to undertake a variety of curatorial and administrative tasks including exhibition ...

Under the supervision of the Curator of Exhibitions, this individual will work independently and as part of a team to undertake a variety of curatorial and administrative tasks including exhibition ...

Reporting to the Senior Curator and Director of Curatorial Affairs, the Curator is a vital member of the curatorial team and works closely with collections, archives, digitization, exhibits, and ...

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Curator Of Exhibits information

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$25.5K

$72.6K

$119.5K

How much do curator of exhibits jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for curator of exhibits in the United States is $72,627.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $50,000.00 and $94,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a curator of exhibits, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Curator of Exhibits, you need expertise in art history or museum studies, curatorial experience, and a relevant advanced degree. Familiarity with collection management software, digital archiving systems, and exhibition design tools is typically required. Strong organizational skills, creativity, and effective communication are vital for developing engaging exhibits and collaborating with diverse stakeholders. These skills ensure that exhibits are thoughtfully curated, accessible, and resonate with the public, fulfilling the institution's educational and cultural mission.

What are the main challenges a curator of exhibits might face when developing new exhibitions?

One of the primary challenges for a Curator of Exhibits is balancing creative vision with logistical constraints, such as budget, space limitations, and conservation requirements. Curators often collaborate with educators, designers, and conservators to ensure the exhibition is both engaging for visitors and feasible to install and maintain. Additionally, sourcing loans or artifacts, managing timelines, and ensuring exhibitions are accessible to diverse audiences can present further complexity. Strong project management and communication skills are essential to overcome these challenges and deliver successful exhibits.

What qualifications are needed to be a curator of exhibits?

A curator of exhibits typically needs a bachelor's degree in art history, museum studies, archaeology, or a related field, with many positions preferring a master's degree or higher. Relevant experience in curation, collections management, or museum work, along with strong organizational and research skills, are also important qualifications.

What is the difference between Curator Of Exhibits vs Museum Educator?

AspectCurator Of ExhibitsMuseum Educator
CredentialsBachelor's or master's in art, history, or related field; experience in curationBachelor's degree in education, history, or museum studies; teaching or public engagement experience
Work EnvironmentMuseum or gallery, focusing on exhibit development and collection managementMuseum, focusing on public programs, tours, and educational outreach
Primary ResponsibilitiesDeveloping, designing, and managing exhibits; overseeing collectionsCreating educational programs; engaging visitors through tours and workshops

While both roles work within museums, the Curator Of Exhibits primarily manages exhibit development and collections, whereas the Museum Educator focuses on visitor engagement and educational programs. Both require a background in museum studies or related fields, but their daily tasks and focus areas differ significantly.

Do museum curators get paid a lot?

Museum curators typically earn a moderate salary that varies based on experience, location, and the size of the institution. According to industry data, the median annual wage for curators is around $60,000, with some earning over $100,000 in larger or more prestigious museums. Salary can also be influenced by additional skills such as conservation or specialized knowledge.

How much do you get paid as a museum curator?

Museum curators typically earn a median annual salary of around $50,000 to $70,000, depending on experience, location, and the size of the institution. Salaries can range from approximately $35,000 for entry-level positions to over $100,000 for senior or specialized roles. Many curators also hold advanced degrees and have expertise in specific collections or fields.

What does a curator of exhibits do?

A Curator of Exhibits is responsible for designing, organizing, and overseeing the presentation of collections and exhibitions in museums, galleries, or other cultural institutions. Their work involves researching potential exhibits, selecting and acquiring objects, coordinating with artists or lenders, and creating interpretive materials for visitors. They also manage the installation and maintenance of exhibits, ensuring that objects are displayed safely and engagingly. Additionally, curators often collaborate with educators, conservators, and other staff to develop programs and events related to exhibitions.
More about Curator Of Exhibits jobs
What cities are hiring for Curator Of Exhibits jobs? Cities with the most Curator Of Exhibits job openings:
What states have the most Curator Of Exhibits jobs? States with the most job openings for Curator Of Exhibits jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Curator Of Exhibits jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Curator Of Exhibits jobs are:
Infographic showing various Curator Of Exhibits job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Locum Tenens, 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 21% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $72,627 per year, or $34.9 per hour.

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University Of Louisiana At Lafayette rating

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Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 16 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

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Job description

The Curator of Exhibitions oversees the development of exhibitions, programming, publicationsand the collection of the Hilliard Art Museum.  This position reports to the Director and serves as a strongadministrative and creative partner. The Curator engages the campus community,the local creative community of Acadiana, as well as the larger regional andnational art communities in the creation of a program that reinforces themuseum's roles as an educational resource for the university, a center forcommunity engagement and a cultural hub in the southeast region.

TheHilliard Art Museum (HAM) is located at the edge of the campus of the Universityof Louisiana at Lafayette (ULL). The museum is comprised of twobuildings, the original 1967 A. Hays Town plantation-style house (3,100 sq.ft.) and the newer state-of-the-art Eskew Dumez + Ripple building with fourexhibition galleries (over 10,000 sq. ft. of exhibition space) and a gift shopfeaturing crafts by local artists. The museum'scollection features more than 2,000 objects including European and Americanpainting, Japanese prints, folk art, and a collection of Egyptian art. Themuseum works collaboratively with the university's nine colleges -including the College of Arts - as well as with local, national, andinternational partners to present exhibitions and programs on the art of ourtime.  With a student population ofapproximately 18,000 and the culturally-rich community of Acadiana around us,we celebrate the creative spirit that infuses every aspect of life here fromfood and drink to music, art, and dance.

Duties& Responsibilities
-Work with the Director on implementing a vision to establish the museum as a center for community engagement and prioritizing the educational mission while promoting strong campus and community collaborations, and building a regional and national reputation.
-Manages the Collections Manager and one Graduate Assistant. Preparator reports to Collections Manager.
-Develop and coordinate exhibitions and programs in alignment with museum's vision and educational mission.
-Direct collaborative efforts among the exhibitions and programs staff and serve as an articulate and persuasive spokesperson to collectors, funding sources, press and the public.
-Develop and manage exhibitions budget and manage staffing needs.
-Collaborate with Educator on the development of educational materials and interpretation of the museum collection and exhibitions.
-Work with the Marketing Manager to ensure that exhibitions and programs are marketed effectively.
-Work with Director, Collections Manager, and Collection Committee on collection development. Collection committee is overseen by the Collections Manager.
-Collaboratively work with the Director and oversee the Graduate Assistant to develop and implement public programming.
-Support the Director in the areas of strategic planning, budgeting, and policy development as it relates to the exhibitions, programs, and collections.
-Work with the Director and the university development department in conceptualizing and organizing funding proposals for collections management issues and exhibitions.
-Research and write publications that promote new scholarship on the collection and exhibitions.


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