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Curator of Public Programming

Dearborn, MI · On-site

Curator, Public Programming Job Status: Full-time Job Summary: Under limited supervision, the ... the museum's audience base • Assist with marketing and fundraising efforts including grant ...

ACCESS

Curator of Public Programming

Dearborn, MI

Curator, Public Programming Job Status: Full-time Job Summary: Under limited supervision, the ... the museum's audience base • Assist with marketing and fundraising efforts including grant ...

ACCESS

Curator of Public Programming

Dearborn, MI

Curator, Public Programming Job Status: Full-time Job Summary: Under limited supervision, the ... Museum (AANM) and ACCESS departments that promote and further the mission of the AANM as well as ...

City of Mesa

Museum Exhibitions Coordinator

Mesa, AZ · On-site

$64K - $88K/yr

This class is distinguished from the curator staff by the absence of responsibilities for acquisition or care of collections. This class is supervised by a Museum Administrator or Museum Curator.

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Museum Curator information

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$28K

$76.3K

$135.5K

How much do museum curator jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for museum curator in the United States is $76,262.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $59,500.00 and $84,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are museum curators?

Museum curators are professionals responsible for acquiring, caring for, and displaying objects within a museum's collection. They conduct research, develop exhibitions, and ensure the preservation of artifacts. Curators often work closely with the public through educational programs and tours, and they may also handle administrative tasks such as fundraising or managing budgets. Their expertise helps make museum collections accessible and informative to visitors.

How do you become a museum curator?

To become a museum curator, typically a bachelor's degree in art history, archaeology, history, or a related field is required, often followed by a master's or doctoral degree for advanced positions. Relevant experience through internships, volunteering, or working in museums is also important, along with skills in research, organization, and collections management.

What exactly does a museum curator do?

A museum curator is responsible for acquiring, caring for, and managing collections of artwork, artifacts, or specimens. They conduct research, develop exhibitions, and ensure proper preservation, often using specialized tools and documentation systems. Curators typically work in museums or galleries and may require relevant education and experience in their field.

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

To thrive as a Museum Curator, you need expertise in art history or a relevant subject, research skills, and typically a master's degree in museum studies or a related field. Familiarity with collection management systems, digital archiving tools, and exhibit design software is essential. Strong communication, organizational skills, and a passion for education help curators engage audiences and collaborate with stakeholders. These skills are crucial for preserving collections, creating compelling exhibits, and fostering public appreciation of cultural heritage.

How much money can you make as a museum curator?

Museum curators typically earn a median annual salary of around $50,000 to $70,000, with higher earnings possible for those with advanced degrees, extensive experience, or working in large or prestigious institutions. Salaries can vary based on location, specialization, and the size of the museum.

What are some common challenges Museum Curators face when developing new exhibitions?

Museum Curators often encounter challenges such as balancing artistic vision with budget constraints, ensuring the proper care and conservation of artifacts, and coordinating with multiple departments like education and marketing. They also need to consider visitor engagement, accessibility, and sometimes negotiate loans or partnerships with other institutions. Successfully managing these aspects requires strong project management skills and a collaborative approach with colleagues across the museum.

What Do Museum Curators Do?

Some museum curator positions require a bachelor’s degree in art, archeology, history, museum studies, or a related field, but many museums now require candidates to hold a master’s degree. You may need a doctorate to move into supervisory roles. Volunteer at a local museum to gain hands-on experience in the field. Learn how to bid or apply for different artifacts and the proper way to handle them. You can find museum curator positions at museums, historic sites, nature centers, and zoos.

What are the requirements for a museum curator?

Museum curators typically need a bachelor's degree in art history, archaeology, history, or a related field, with many positions preferring a master's degree or higher. Relevant experience in museum work, collections management, or research is often required, along with strong organizational, communication, and research skills. Familiarity with collection databases and conservation practices can also be beneficial.

What is the difference between Museum Curator vs Museum Educator?

AspectMuseum CuratorMuseum Educator
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Museum Studies, History, or related fieldBachelor's or Master's in Education, Museum Studies, or related field
Work EnvironmentGallery or exhibit management, collection care, researchEducational programs, tours, community outreach
Employer & Industry UsageMuseums, historical societies, cultural institutionsMuseums, science centers, cultural organizations
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared for roles involving collections and exhibitsFocuses on education and visitor engagement

While both Museum Curators and Museum Educators work within museums and cultural institutions, curators primarily manage collections, develop exhibits, and conduct research. In contrast, museum educators focus on creating educational programs, guiding visitors, and promoting learning experiences. Both roles require relevant degrees and are essential for enriching visitor engagement and preserving cultural heritage.

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Museum Curator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Museum Curator job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 9% Locum Tenens, 6% As Needed, 22% Full Time, and 63% Part Time. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $76,262 per year, or $36.7 per hour.

Assistant Curator of Sculpture and Decorative Arts

J. Paul Getty Trust, The

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 10 days ago

Job description

Getty is committed to creating a welcoming workplace that reflects the various backgrounds of the communities we serve. We value differences in the pursuit of inquiry and knowledge, mutual understanding, respect, trust, transparency, and cooperation. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship or immigration status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected status.Job Summary

Our Mission

 

The J. Paul Getty Museum seeks to inspire curiosity about, and enjoyment and understanding of, the visual arts by collecting, conserving, exhibiting and interpreting works of art of outstanding quality and historical importance and is one of four programs of the J. Paul Getty Trust.  The Museum operates two facilities, the Getty Villa in Malibu, which exhibits its collection of Greek and Roman antiquities, and the Getty Center in Brentwood, which displays its collections of European art: Medieval and Renaissance illuminated manuscripts, paintings, sculpture, decorative arts, drawings to 1900, and photography to the present day (including non-European works).  The Museum mounts approximately 25 temporary exhibitions a year across its two sites; maintains an annual permanent gallery improvement program, and offers wide-ranging and ambitious programming for its visitors.

The Opportunity

The J. Paul Getty Museum seeks a qualified Assistant Curator with expertise in European Decorative Arts to join the Department of Sculpture and Decorative Arts. Reporting directly to the Senior Curator of Sculpture and Decorative arts, the Assistant Curator will assist in developing, displaying, maintaining, and managing the decorative arts collection within their area of expertise, working collaboratively with colleagues and under the guidance of senior curators. This is a full-time position within the curatorial team responsible for the Getty's collection of European sculpture and decorative arts from the Middle Ages through 1900. The successful candidate will have a strong academic background and an established record of publications in European decorative arts of these periods. Ideally, the candidate would be a specialist in French or Italian decorative arts dating from 1650-1800. Responsibilities include developing engaging displays and interpretive materials for the collection during the redesign of the permanent galleries, conducting research and scholarly study of artworks, maintaining and updating the online catalogue, proposing exhibitions and research projects, recommending acquisitions, and collaborating with museum colleagues, scholars, dealers, and auctioneers. The ideal candidate will be passionate about connoisseurship and archival research, committed to shaping the future of the collection through thoughtful display, gifts, and acquisitions, and eager to work as part of a team. They will collaborate closely with other curators in the department, colleagues across the Museum, and programs throughout the Getty, and demonstrate a strong dedication to the Museum's mission of public engagement and outreach.

Major Job Responsibilities
  • Applies advanced knowledge of art history and art education to curatorial assignments of moderate complexity
  • Performs scholarly research on the Decorative Arts collection
  • May develop gallery installations and organize smaller exhibitions in collaboration with contributing departments
  • Travels and networks internationally to develop partnerships with other museums
  • Publishes and lectures in area of specialization
  • Manages day-to-day operations of assigned collections, including consultation with conservators, inputting information in the database, updating the information for the online collection pages, answering inquiries about the collection, giving collection tours for educators, docents, scholars, and the general public
  • May research and propose acquisitions and donations for the collections in collaboration with curators and participate in the preparation of acquisition proposals
  • Collaborates in research projects; serves as a resource to scholars, visitors and staff and develops relationships with outside institutions and professionals to foster cross-institutional initiatives
  • Contributes to the development of interpretive programming, including public and educational programs, digital media and social media
  • Other duties as assigned
  • Foster and maintain good working relationships with colleagues from other institutions in the U.S. and abroad as well as with the scholarly community, dealers and collectors
Qualifications
  • Master's degree in art history, art or art education OR 2-4 yrs of curatorial experience OR Ph.D.
  • Fluency in at least one foreign language (modern or ancient) required
  • Competent to work in most curatorial functions

  • Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States for Getty, without the need for current or future visa sponsorship.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
  • Demonstrated experience with art historical research and writing
  • Proven interest in the field
  • Strong interpersonal and organizational skills
  • Ability to communicate and distill information for diverse audiences in print and online
  • Demonstrated ability to build relationships and collaborate with teams across disciplines
  • Excellent knowledge of collection management and digital asset management tools, in particular the TMS database system
Benefits and Perks

Here are just some examples that Getty offers/provides for full-time employees:

  • Medical, Dental and Vision insurance coverage, starting on date of hire. Getty pays 75%-95% of the premium, depending on the plan selected.
  • 403(b) Employee Investment retirement plan - with up to 5% Getty Match
  • Getty contribution of 6%, on behalf of employee, to 401(a) retirement account
  • Educational Assistance and professional development
  • Paid Vacation, Sick and Personal Days
  • 12 Paid Holidays
  • Many positions have bi-weekly Off-Fridays
  • On-Site Fitness Center at Getty Center
  • Community service opportunities

To learn more about our comprehensive benefits and long list of perks, go to Getty HR.  

Employment Type: FULL_TIME

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