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Photo Curator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The New York Times Magazine is looking for a photo editor to conceptualize, assign and produce ... visual curation role * Demonstrate strong editorial judgment working with editors and the legal ...

Senior Art Director

Greenwood Village, CO · On-site

$105K - $120K/yr

Photo Curation & Asset Direction: Select and curate visual imagery, software UI screenshots, and graphical assets that elevate our brand above generic tech tropes. * Systems Architecture: Build ...

Senior Art Director

Greenwood Village, CO · On-site

$105K - $120K/yr

Photo Curation & Asset Direction: Select and curate visual imagery, software UI screenshots, and graphical assets that elevate our brand above generic tech tropes. * Systems Architecture: Build ...

Staff Photo Editor

New York, NY · On-site

$113K - $115K/yr

The New York Times Magazine is looking for a photo editor to conceptualize, assign and produce ... visual curation role * Demonstrate strong editorial judgment working with editors and the legal ...

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Photo Curator information

See salary details

$25.5K

$72.6K

$119.5K

How much do photo curator jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for photo curator 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 is the difference between Photo Curator vs Photo Archivist?

AspectPhoto CuratorPhoto Archivist
CredentialsBachelor's degree in art, photography, or related field; knowledge of art historyBachelor's degree in library science, information management, or related field; archival training
Work EnvironmentMuseums, galleries, art institutionsLibraries, archives, museums
Primary FocusSelecting, acquiring, and organizing photographs for exhibitions or collectionsPreserving, cataloging, and maintaining photographic archives
Industry UsageArt, cultural institutions, museumsLibraries, archives, historical societies

While both roles involve working with photographs, a Photo Curator focuses on selecting and organizing images for exhibitions or collections, emphasizing artistic and thematic considerations. A Photo Archivist concentrates on preserving and cataloging photographs for long-term access and research. Both roles require specialized knowledge and often collaborate within cultural institutions, but their core responsibilities differ in purpose and scope.

What are some common challenges photo curators face when managing large digital archives?

Photo Curators often encounter challenges in organizing, preserving, and providing access to extensive digital photo collections. Ensuring proper metadata tagging, maintaining consistent file formats, and implementing efficient digital asset management systems are crucial for long-term accessibility and usability. Curators must also balance the need for public access with copyright considerations and privacy concerns, often working closely with IT specialists, archivists, and institutional stakeholders to create sustainable workflows.

What is a photo curator?

Photo curators are professionals responsible for selecting, organizing, and preserving photographic collections in museums, galleries, archives, or private collections. They research and acquire photographs, plan exhibitions, and ensure the historical and artistic value of images is maintained. Photo curators also collaborate with artists and scholars, write catalog essays, and often engage the public through educational programs. Their work helps to contextualize and showcase photography as an important cultural and artistic medium.

Do photo curators make a lot of money?

Photo curators typically earn a median annual salary that varies depending on experience, location, and the organization they work for, with salaries generally ranging from $40,000 to $70,000. Advanced roles or those in major institutions may offer higher compensation, especially for professionals with specialized skills in art history, photography, or digital tools. Overall, while the role can be financially stable, it is not usually considered a high-paying career compared to other art or media professions.

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

To thrive as a Photo Curator, you need a solid background in art history, photography, and archival practices, often supported by a relevant degree or museum studies certification. Familiarity with digital asset management systems, cataloging software, and image editing tools like Adobe Photoshop is typically required. Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and the ability to communicate effectively with artists and stakeholders set exceptional curators apart. These skills and qualities are crucial for preserving collections, crafting compelling exhibitions, and ensuring public engagement with photographic works.
More about Photo Curator jobs
Infographic showing various Photo Curator job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 56% Full Time, 35% Part Time, 3% Temporary, 4% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $72,627 per year, or $34.9 per hour.

Kiki Pohlad '13 Curatorial Assistant, Tang Museum

Skidmore College

Saratoga Springs, NY

Full-time

Re-posted 13 days ago


Skidmore College rating

7.6

Company rating: 7.6 out of 10

Based on 8 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

289th of 618 rated colleges and universities


Job description

The Curatorial Assistant (CA) will assist the Associate Curator, Malloy Curator, and Dayton Director in research, administrative, and editorial tasks for exhibitions and accompanying publications.  The CA will also help facilitate access to the museum collection; give public, private, and class-based tours of the museum and exhibitions; respond to external requests for images and research on the museum collection; and supervise student interns. The CA has the opportunity to propose and execute exhibitions and programs that they author. The CA will also be responsible for the management and distribution of the Tang's publications. Because of the broad scope of the museum's exhibitions and goals, the successful candidate will have a wide range of interests, the ability to learn quickly, an innate aptitude for flexibility, the ability to juggle multiple tasks on projects with both near and distant deadlines, and a positive solutions-oriented approach. 

  • Assists in all aspects of department administration, providing critical support to the Associate Curator, Malloy Curator, and Dayton Director on all exhibitions, publications, and other projects. This work necessitates a high level of organization at broad project levels as well as detail-oriented attention to project logistics and communications and a dedication to ensuring the department meets internally and externally set deadlines. 
  • Organizes and maintains exhibition checklists. Works closely with individual curators to keep all images and artwork captions up-to-date and communicates changes to relevant departments. 
  • Communicates about curatorial projects across departments, including but not limited to collaborating with registrars on loan requests and followups; brainstorming with engagement team about programming; offering ideas, images, and writing for social media and other publicity; providing information and feedback to designer. Communicates with external book designers and other freelancers about individual projects.
  • Writes and/or edits exhibition and publication texts under the supervision of the organizing curator. Requires research skills, in-depth knowledge of contemporary art and art history, excellent writing skills, and experience in proofreading or other editing texts. Knowledge of Chicago Manual of Style required.
  • Organize exhibition images. This work includes liaising with outside photographers, ensuring all exhibitions are photographed in a timely fashion, working with supervising curators to review and approve images, communicating with Tang Museum colleagues about using and locating approved images. 
  • Manage exhibition catalogs and other publications. Work with individual curators to ensure that publications stay on track by liaising with photo editors, designers, writers, outside editors, and printers. Edit or proofread texts that come from a variety of sources including newly commissioned interviews and essays, existing gallery texts, reviews, historic material, and so on; secure hi-res images and copyright permissions as needed. 
  • Manage the Tang's published catalogues. This includes arranging and overseeing sales, catalogue shipments, fulfilling orders, management and maintenance of on-line sales platforms (Amazon Seller Central, Tang's website/Spree) and VSD sales (Square), maintain the catalogue stock at the VSD and advertise specials throughout the year, tracking inventory, evaluating storage needs, working closely with the Manager of Finance and Planning on catalogue related payments, and meeting quarterly to report sales and inventory to the Dayton Director, ADE, and MFP. In addition, working with the Building Manager and Head of Installations to supervise the transport of catalogues into inventory and coordinate the delivery of incoming shipments.   This position brings Tang catalogues to buyers worldwide by handling on-site sales and phone orders as well as online sales. These efforts enhance the museum's reputation as a lively and engaging destination, a vital cultural resource, and an important contemporary art museum with a national reach. 
  • Offer support to the Associate Curator on cataloging and digitization needs by researching the collection, completing data-entry tasks, and updating approved revisions to cataloging data in the collections management system, EmbARK. Experience with a collection management system preferred, though training is provided for the right candidate. 
  • Correspond and engage with museum colleagues and scholars external to the Tang. This work might include responding to requests: to publish images by ensuring such use is acceptable, providing captions and hi-res images; to borrow Tang collection artwork on loan; for research on the Tang collection or past exhibitions. Responsibly represents the curatorial department, the museum, and the museum mission both on and off campus by giving public and private tours to campus and external groups, attending art fairs and conferences, and assisting in hosting responsibilities for visiting artists and scholars.
  • The CA is invited to propose their own authored exhibitions, programs, or other projects; if approved, this work includes executing the project from initial conception/proposal through to realization, managing all logistical details, collaborating with key artists, and communicating across museum departments.
  • Supervise 3-5 student interns. Assign projects and deadlines, provide training as needed, and review and offer feedback to interns on all tasks. 

Education: The successful candidate will also have a Bachelor's Degree, in addition to museum and/or prior work experience.

Required documents needed to apply:

  • On-line application
  • Cover Letter
  • Resume
  • List of Three References    

Pay Range:  $24.73 - $25.83 per hour ($45,000-$47,000 annually) for this 35 hours per week, 12 months per year position commensurate with experience.

EEO STATEMENT

Skidmore College is committed to being an inclusive campus community and, as an Equal Opportunity Employer, does not discriminate in its hiring or employment practices on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, national or ethnic origin, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, predisposition or carrier status, domestic violence victim status, familial status, dating violence, or stalking, or any other category protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.
Employment at Skidmore College is contingent upon an acceptable background check result.
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