Curator

A curator is a professional who organizes and manages collections in museums, galleries, libraries, archives, or related cultural institutions. The term refers to someone responsible for acquiring, caring for, researching, interpreting, and displaying objects or materials, as well as for developing exhibitions and public programs. Duties vary by institution and field, but curators commonly oversee provenance research, collection management, conservation coordination, and the design of interpretive labels and catalogs.

In art museums, curators specialize by collection or theme and are involved in selecting works for acquisition, arranging loans, and collaborating with conservators, registrars, educators, designers, and researchers to present coherent narratives to the public. In scientific or natural-history museums, curators may organize exhibitions around specimens, ecosystems, or technologies and conduct scholarly research to advance understanding in their field.

In libraries and archives, curators may focus on special collections, acquiring rare books, manuscripts, or digital resources, and ensuring proper preservation and access while planning exhibitions and digital projects. The role often includes leadership tasks such as budgeting, fundraising, and donor relations.

Qualifications typically include an advanced degree in a relevant discipline, experience with collections management systems, and training in museology, archival studies, or library science. Strong research, written and oral communication, and project-management skills are valued. The field has evolved with digital technology, giving rise to digital curators who manage online collections, metadata, and virtual exhibitions, as well as contemporary practice involving guest curators and audience participation.