Before artworks are displayed to the public, each one goes through a journey of discovery, selection, and utmost care. This process is the backbone of curated artwork, where every piece is carefully chosen by an art curator to tell a cohesive story and evoke certain emotions among their viewers.
In other words, an art curator bears the responsibility of transforming museums and galleries into immersive experiences. This is done through historic paintings capturing a bygone era, or sometimes through the mix of contemporary arts and sculptures that offer a fresh perspective for art viewers.
According to Artland Magazine, art curators shape trends in the industry by showcasing diverse artists. In their curated exhibits, curators highlight emerging art directions as well as how art reflects the current social and political issues. A prime example is independent art curator Carolyn Christov-Bakargiev, who led Documenta 13, one of the world’s most influential exhibitions. Bakargiev harnessed art and culture as tools for reconstruction, healing, and fostering dialogue.
In this sense, curators play a pivotal role in shaping artistic discourse. As such, it is essential to understand how to properly step into the role of art curation. This article will guide those interested in becoming an art curator by outlining the steps, including skills, education, and experience required to succeed in this competitive field.
- Secure a Degree
- Gain Experience
- Develop Curatorial Skills
- Create a Curatorial Portfolio
- Network within the Art Community
- Apply for Curatorial Positions
Who is a Curator?
A curator is someone who oversees the collections in museums, individual collectors or art galleries, often focusing on specialised areas like contemporary art, ancient artefacts, or historical pieces.
According to Target Jobs, a graduate jobs website, a curator organises and expands collections by acquiring new items and developing ways for the public to engage with art.
Other common duties of curators include:
- Collaborating with other museums and cultural institutions
- Conducting thorough research about art
- Creating and managing new collections to enhance educational and research opportunities
- Ensuring the proper preservation and maintenance of collections
- Keeping detailed records and cataloguing new acquisitions
- Negotiating prices, and purchasing items like sculptures, statues, and paintings to enrich collections
- Securing funding and grants for exhibits
Today, curators, like artists, are also storytellers. They determine which artworks are displayed and how they are presented, crafting themes and concepts that audiences will engage with, as highlighted by the Art Gallery of South Australia.
How Do You Get into Art Curation?
While a passion for art is often a key motivation for pursuing a career in art curation, there are several considerations before taking this path. This section offers a step-by-step guide to support aspiring art curators on their journey.
1. Secure a Degree
Sotheby’s Institute of Art suggests that earning a bachelor’s degree in Art History, Fine Arts, or a related field is essential for building a strong foundation in the art world.
For instance, the Fine Arts degree in Loughborough University incorporates art history and visual culture into their program. This interdisciplinary nature helps foster a connection between culture, society, politics and the environment, preparing students for critical thinking.
Additionally, the competitive nature of the profession has made obtaining a master’s degree advantageous for aspiring art curators. As noted by Artnet, an art market website, the primary benefit of a post-graduate degree lies in building connections with peers and professors, paving the way for future collaboration.
Therefore, pursuing a double degree serves a dual purpose: it deepens education while expanding professional network which increases the likelihood of success in the field.
Listed below are the schools offering art programs in the United Kingdom (UK) as noted by Study in UK (SI-UK):
Bachelor’s Degree
Master's Degree
Nevertheless, whether completing a bachelor’s degree or pursuing a master’s degree, a formal education is crucial for gaining background knowledge in the industry.
2. Gain Experience
Applying for an internship or a volunteer opportunity opens the door to artistic exploration and professional development. It provides aspiring curators with hands-on experience through involvement in art museums, galleries, and organisations.
Common tasks include aiding with exhibitions, conducting research, cataloguing collections, and supporting public programs, as noted by a platform supporting curators, Call for Curators.
This is exemplified in the New Curators program in London, which provides a twelve-month paid internships for individuals from lower socio-economic backgrounds. Their program offers skills training in audience-specific writing, public speaking, budgeting, and fundraising. They also provide hands-on experience through collaborative work on contemporary art exhibitions, publications, and public programs.
By gaining experience in diverse areas or art management, interns develop essential knowledge and practical skills needed to succeed in the art world.
3. Develop Curatorial Skills
Art curators carry a range of responsibilities that demand skills to discover, select, and manage art collections. The top skills curators apply in their day-to-day responsibilities are the following:
Art Research
One key responsibility is the ability to research specific art forms, historical periods, or related subjects, which guides the planning and curation of exhibitions, as noted by Indeed. Mastering this skill allows curators to uncover the historical context behind each piece.
Organisational Skills
An art curator’s organisational skills are vital for managing collections and exhibitions effectively. Central to this is art cataloguing, which involves recording details like the title, artist, provenance, location and condition of each artwork.
Maintaining these records ensures that information is accessible and can be referenced in response to enquiries, as highlighted by the Curatorial Research Centre.
Writing Skills
Curators use writing skills to create an exhibition, from formulating initial concepts to crafting detailed descriptions for each item. According to Sotheby’s Institute of Art, the curator prepares catalogue essays, wall texts, and multimedia content to make artworks and objects accessible and engaging for the public.
4. Create a Curatorial Portfolio
Developing a strong portfolio is crucial for curators who aim to display their finest work. Whether for exhibitions, projects, or publications, a curatorial portfolio attracts opportunities based on the knowledge and skills highlighted in it.
For instance, adding notable exhibitions they organised shows their experience and contribution to large-scale activities. Featuring images of the artworks, exhibition plans, and critical essays offers a deeper understanding of their curatorial perspective.
In essence, the main goal of a portfolio is to present a cohesive narrative that reflects the curator’s vision and professional journey.
5. Network within the Art Community
As an aspiring art curator seeking opportunities, building relationships is essential for boosting visibility in the art community. According to a virtual studio manager, RevArt, networking unlocks invitations to curate an exhibition and strengthens a curator’s reputation among peers.
One way to connect with fellow curators is by joining a supportive forum like the Emerging Curators Group (ECG). The ECG is a community for aspiring curators in the UK, facilitating opportunities for peers to unite and exchange insights and ideas about curating British art.
ECG, funded by the British Art Network (BAN), aims to connect its members with experts in British Art. The network supports those participating in workshops, conducting independent research, and engaging with the broader BAN program.
The following sources provide opportunities to network with curators and art experts:
6. Apply for Curatorial Positions
Having built a solid foundation of education, experience, and professional connections, emerging curators are now equipped to pursue curatorial positions.
According to Sotheby’s Institute of Art, starting with entry-level roles, such as assistant curator, can serve as a stepping stone in a competitive job market. This provides aspiring curators hands-on experience by assisting curators and other staff members in a museum or gallery setting, highlighted by a performing art centre, Barbican.
Below are some entry-level positions for becoming an art curator:
- Collections Assistant
- Development Assistant
- Exhibit Coordinator
- Gallery Assistant
- Museum Store Sales Clerk
- Research Assistant
Moreover, exploring websites like the National Museum Directors' Council, provides access to a wide selection of job vacancies across the UK’s national and prominent regional museums, libraries and archives.
For other sources, visiting other platforms like the Museums Association website also lists industry-related job opportunities including curatorial and collections assistant, assistant curator, and museum curator.
Nonetheless, aspiring art curators should pursue positions that promote their growth, as these roles can lead to more advanced opportunities in the future.
From Passion to Profession: The Journey to Becoming an Art Curator
Pursuing a career in art curation is competitive but attainable with the right combination of academic background, practical experience, and strong networking within the art world.
Acquiring an understanding of art history through formal education is essential for making informed curatorial decisions. Conversely, internships develop curatorial skills –providing hands-on experience, such as organising exhibitions, researching artworks, and engaging with artists and the public.
While securing positions in the art world can be challenging, leveraging connections can lead to job referrals and collaborations with art experts. It also provides the opportunity for mentorship –guiding a curator as they navigate their career path.
Together, these factors improve the chances of success in the competitive field of art curation.
Art Curator: Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is it hard to become a curator?
Yes, becoming a curator can be difficult, but it is possible with the right mix of educational qualifications, hands-on experience, and effective networking in the art community.
2. What qualifications do you need to be a curator?
A university degree and practical work experience are essential for becoming a curator. Skills in research, organisation, and writing are also beneficial for developing exhibitions and other tasks involved in gallery curation.
3. How do I start art curation?
To start a career in art curation, begin by pursuing a degree in art history, museum studies, or a related field to build a solid foundation of knowledge. Seek internships or volunteer opportunities at galleries or museums to gain experience and develop essential skills.
Mastering the Art of Curating with MyAssets
One skill that art curators must excel in is organising art collections to create a cohesive narrative. This involves selecting and cataloguing artworks, a process made simpler and more efficient by digital tools such as MyAssets.
MyAssets is a complete asset management platform that allows art curators to digitally catalogue artworks by storing information like title, artist name, and provenance. Curators can also add notes to input interpretive insights.
With MyAssets, curators can categorise their art collection into styles, mediums, themes, artists, or other criteria for easy data retrieval.
Start organising your collection effectively with MyAssets 14-day free trial.
