How to Become a Curator: Career Guide, Courses, After 12th, Jobs, Scope, Salary

Steps to Follow to Become a Curator

To become a Curator, certain steps are there that one can follow to ensure a successful career starting from school and every step taken can make a difference in terms of position, job opportunities, and so on.

Step 1: Resoluteness

• Decision Making is an important step that one has to take as early as possible. 
• Starting from the school days, if the correct decision in terms of career were taken then it becomes to decide over the subjects that one has to select. 
• The decision of becoming a Curator depends on various factors like the art of creativity, some managerial work, organization tasks, and so on. 
• Although, the decision of becoming a Curator can be taken later in life as well with a better understanding of different subjects and career choices that one can have.

Step 2: Choosing an Appropriate Set of Subjects

• Choice of subjects is the next important step towards establishing a career as a Curator as the subjects form the basic foundation of one's understanding of the nature of the work that a career demands. 
• For becoming a Curator, there is no such boundary in terms of subject but few subjects like History, Literature, Arts, Anthropology, Classics, and Archeology. 
• Besides these subjects, one can also start with the commerce or science stream subjects and later select a graduation or diploma course in Arts & Related subjects.

Step 3: Selecting the Finest College

• After completing the school level, the next step is to select an institution for graduation or a master's where one can learn the advanced level of understanding and become an expert in their required field. 
• As mentioned, for becoming a Curator, one should go for arts and literature courses, from some of the prestigious universities like BHU, Chandigarh University, and Delhi University, and so on.

Step 4: Entrance Preparation

• Admission to the Arts or Literature colleges initially at graduation level may not be available through entrance exams but for higher education, institutions generally conduct entrance exams for admission. 
• Entrances for Masters and PhD are conducted for MA or MSc Courses in institutions like BHU, Punjab University, etc.

Step 5: Courses to be Considered

• At graduation or masters’ level, it is important to go for a correct course that will enhance the skills and understanding of the curating work that a Curator is supposed to do. 
• Some of the courses that are found best for becoming a Curator are BA in History, Arts, Literature courses, MA in Arts, Archeology, Classics, and so on.

Step 6: Work Experience

• To become a Curator, most of the reputed and renowned companies are always interested in hiring candidates who have work experience from some good places and that will help them to enhance their work efficiency for the present company. 
• Candidates can start working from their graduation period only through internships or training and later can start with some companies, in museums, or art galleries. 
• Different companies like Design Factory India, Earnest Educational Tours, Saffron art, Disha Consultant, Indian Music Experience, and many more.

Step 7: Higher Education

• After completing graduation, one can go for higher education as well through courses like Masters in Literature or PhD in Literature or related subjects. 
• Higher education will always benefit in terms of knowledge, salary package, position, and in terms of work experience as well. 
• Some of the colleges providing higher education are Delhi University, IPU, Chandigarh University, and so on.

Types of Curators

There are different dimensions available where a Curator can work depending on their skills and interest. Based on their profession there are different types of Curators like:

Museum Curator

• A Museum Curator is the one who is responsible for maintaining the collection of exhibits in a museum. 
• They are responsible for creating the collections, developing different ways to interpret the artworks and archives through publications, exhibitions, events, and presentations.
• The average salary of a Museum Curator is around INR 4,00,000 to INR 8,00,000 per annum with different recruiters including the Ministry of Culture, My Digital Agency, CIEL HR Services, and so on.

Check: MA History Course

Art Curator

• Art Curator is the person whose work acquires, collects and catalogs the work of art, researching and writing articles over the items which are curated by the Curators.
• Different recruiters are available like The Petrichor Touch, Srinivasa Infra Buildcon India(P) Ltd, My Digital Agency, and so on. 
• The average salary provided is around INR 4,00,000 to INR 6,00,000 per annum.

Check: Fine Arts Courses

Music Curator

• Music Curator is a profession where the Curator is responsible for selecting and organizing music for their clients. 
• They are responsible for deciding over the song and its placement on a platform, also to manage the content database, and help the program algorithms to suggest content.
• These professions are demandable in Indian and Abroad as well. 
• Different companies like Avid Technology, Anzu Global, Envision Consulting, and many more are available with an average salary package of INR 20,000 to INR 50,000 per month.

Check: BA Music Course

Content Curator

• Content Curator is the one who is interested in sorting data and information that are relevant to a particular blog, website, and any other social media platform. 
• These contents are well organized by the Curator and also about the need of using other resources like internal linking and external linking are used well. 
• They use different tools to find out the relevant information from an authentic website.
• Different recruiters like Wynk Music, Accenture, MRE Services, Unnati, and MOLEDRO, and so on. 
• The average Salary provided by different recruiters is around INR 5,00,000 - INR 7,000,000 per annum.

Check: How to Become a Content Writer

How to Become a Curator in India?

To become a Curator, one needs to first take that decision of moving towards that career and start developing certain skills like creativity, interaction with other people, good communication, and professionalism, and so on. 

The journey to becoming a Curator can start from early school days when we can decide over the subjects that we should take to excel in that particular field. Some of the crucial steps are mentioned below:

School Level Preparation:

• Preparations for becoming a Curator can be started from our school level when we have the options over our main subjects. 
• After completing 10th, interested candidates can select the related subjects which will help them to enter the profession. 
• Although there is no strict rule or guidelines for the profession of Curator some of the subjects like History, Archeology, Music, Literature are preferred more than the other subjects. 
• These subjects give an internal understanding and knowledge of the monuments, architecture of ancient sculptures, the way of researching and writing over the items that are curated by the Curators in their gallery or museum, and so on. And this understanding effectively enhances the scope of workability.

How to Become a Curator after 12th?

Candidates willing to become a Curator can start planning their career path after 12th as well. A number of universities offer courses at UG and PG level that can be opted to become a successful Curator in future. Below we have discussed UG and PG level preparation key points that one should keep in mind:

UG Preparation

• The period of Under graduation plays a key role for any career as this is the time when one can acquire a higher level of education in a particular subject depending on their interest and availability. 
• While pursuing graduation, not just for gaining theoretical knowledge but also for gaining practical experience through internships and training as well. 
• Internship or training in different companies provides exposure to the actual working environment. 
• Generally, admission to graduate-level courses is based on the Merit list generated by the institution based on the marks scored in 12th boards. 
• There are several institutions like Delhi University, Punjab University, and others where suitable courses are available.

PG Preparation

• After completing graduation, post-graduation is the next level that one needs to do as it will help to get a higher qualification in the field and several companies prefer postgraduate candidates for their job. 
• After post-graduation, one will be well versed with the peculiarities of their subjects and about the application part like in about the history and present reality of any museum item or related information about any artifacts. 
• Top Universities like the University of Calcutta, BHU, and Shivaji University, and so on provide PG level courses that help you become a successful Curator.
• Admission to master's courses is mostly based on the entrance exam conducted by the institutions.

Courses to Become a Curator

A number of courses are available for students who wish to become a Curator at Diploma, Undergraduate as well as Postgraduate levels. Read below to find out various courses along with their admission process, eligibility requirements and entrance exams accepted.

Diploma in Archeology

• Diploma in Archaeology is a 1-year course where the basic study is related to humanity and its various investigations and searches in related fields to become an Archaeologist. 
• After completing 12th candidates can apply to this course and get an idea over the study of past architectures and sculptures of the nation.

Admission Process

• Admission to the course is based on a merit list generated by the institution based on the marks scored on the 12th board. 
• Some of the institutions may conduct a personal interview to analyze the capacity of a student to do justice with the course. 
• Some of the institutions include Shree Swaminarayan Institute of Technology, Acharya Motibhai Patel Institute of Computer Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates with at least 50% marks at 12th grade in any subject can apply for the course.

Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Ancient History

• BA in Ancient History is a 3 years undergraduate course in India which is divided into 6 semesters of 6 months each. 
• This course is a study of the past of mankind through history, religions, material culture, society, and language of Ancient Rome, Greece, and others.
• Subjects include knowledge of Prehistory and the medieval world. 
• Graduates from this course are well accepted by recruiters from Art Galleries, Museums, Tour and Travel- based Organizations, Government offices, etc. 
• This course is found to be most suitable for becoming a Curator who is responsible for cataloging, assembling, and displaying cultural and artistic collections.

Admission Process

• Admission to this graduation course is based on the merit list generated by the institution. 
• However, some of the institutions may conduct a written test or personal interview to provide admission for the course. 
• Some of the reputed colleges include Dhirendra Mahila Mahavidyalaya, Nehru Gram Bharti University, KS Saket PG College, Sanjay Gandhi Mahila College, and Ramsundar Pandey Mahavidyalaya.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates after completing 12th from a recognized board are eligible to apply for the course. The candidates must have 50% marks at the 12th board to apply.

Masters of Arts (MA) in Archaeology

• 2 years of Masters in Archaeology is very fruitful for becoming a successful career as a Curator. 
• Archeology allows the students to explore the depths and insights of the Ancient culture of Indian subcontinent and other important related items which are placed in an art gallery to preserve them. 
• This course plays a major role in the revolution of heritage management and the need to preserve the ancient tangible and intangible assets of our country.
• Some of the top agencies that hire candidates from archaeology backgrounds are Archaeological survey of India, Heritage Management, Museums, Teaching colleges, and so on.

Admission Process

• Admission for this course is based on the entrance test of CET/PET/Interview. 
• Some of the institutions that provide this course include the University of Lucknow, Shivaji University, Janardan Rai Nagar Rajasthan Vidyapeeth University, and so on with an average fees structure of around INR 5,000 - INR 40,000 per annum.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates need to have a Bachelor's degree in the relevant field of Ancient History/ History/Archeology or its related field from a recognized institution with an average of 55% percentage marks on average.

Entrance Exams

• Some of the reputed colleges conduct entrance tests for the students to provide admission for the Master’s course of Archaeology. 
• The exam pattern comprises Multiple Choice questions ranging from 100 to 200 based on the subjects like Indian History, Archaeology, General knowledge, basic reasoning skills, and general aptitude. 

How to Become a Curator Abroad?

Different countries have different rules and guidelines which have to be followed to become a Curator. Countries like the US, UK, Canada, and Australia provide a perfect place for this profession of Curator in different places of the country.

How to Become a Curator in the UK?

• For becoming a Curator in the UK, one should have a graduation or post-graduation degree in a relevant subject like History, Museum management, or Heritage studies and related ones.
• Along with a degree it is preferable to have Management Experience from a reputed organization in the UK.
• For getting a relevant degree, one needs to have five GCSEs A-C, including English, Maths and Science, and at least two A-Levels. And some of the tests like IELTS, TOEFL are also required with an average score of 6-7 for admission.
• Although there is no specific subject required, some of the subjects like History, Geography, and Religious studies are helpful. Otherwise, Archaeological Science degrees should have at least one science A level.
• Some of the important skills are catered as Organization, Creativity, Attention to detail, Interpersonal Skills, and so on.

Top Colleges in the UK

How to Become a Curator in the US?

• To become a Curator in the US, one should first have a bachelor's or Master's degree in History, Archeology which will help to cultivate the skills like project management competencies, technical skills, and soft skills like communication and organization.
• Get experience through internship or training in some art galleries or museums to develop analytical skills and to get networks of industries.
• Different places like the Smithsonian in Washington DC or the National Gallery in London are some of the places where a Curator can get a decent job.
• Some of the courses like Degree in Curatorial Studies, History are useful to become a Curator.

Top Colleges in the US

How to Become a Curator in Canada?

• One should have a degree in subjects like museum studies, BA in History, or some post-graduate degree in subjects like History, Museum Studies, and so on.
• Documents required to get admission to Canadian University includes Secondary School Certificate, Reference Letter, Resume, Letter of Intent or Statement of Purpose, Proof of English Proficiency through tests like CELPIP ( Canadian English language Proficiency Index Program), IELTS (International English Language Testing System), and TOEFL( Test of English as a Foreign Language).

Top Colleges in Canada

How to Become a Curator in Australia?

• Certain requirements are important to fulfill for getting admission to an Australian University like Program-Specific requirements, Visa Requirements, Health Cover, and basic Academic Requirements.
• Famous courses include Museum studies, archeology, management studies, and so on.
• Certain tests like the English language Test( IELTS/ TOEFL), advanced/PTE Academic/ OET (Occupational English Test) occur.

Top Colleges in Australia

Benefits of Career as a Curator

Being a Curator by profession is a great achievement in terms of salary and experience you get, higher studies, good impact on your career, job security and what not. Read below to find several benefits of being a Curator in-detail.

Salary

• Salary for a Curator depends on different factors like the organization under which one is working, the particular work that one is doing, and other factors as well. 
• After completing at least graduation, one can get suitable work with an average salary package of INR 2,00,000 to INR 4,00,000 per annum. 
• After gaining sufficient experience in this field, there will be a salary increase.

Job Security

• After completing the degree it is important to have some work experience in the field of curating items as it will help to work efficiently and also to decrease the chance of losing the job. 
• Job security depends on the organization, and also on the work capacity that one has.
• Government organizations provide a better level of job security through providing jobs in ministries and other offices.

Positive Impact of the Career

• As the job profile is majorly based on one’s creativity, work ethics, managerial skills, and overall development. 
• It helps the individual to enhance the level of organizations that play a key role in the profession of Curator and also provides new information about the items.

Higher Studies

The scope of higher studies is always there for a Curator as, after completing their diploma or graduation, one can move to pursue their masters to get a better position and salary in an organization like the Ministry of Culture, Archeological Department, Museum and other such places.

Unique Experience

Unique Experience is provided in terms of knowledge about the ancient items which are a part of our heritage, communication skills, organizational skills, management skills, training management, and learning of various other associated tasks as well.

Check: BA Jobs

Skills Required to Become a Curator

Some of the skills that are useful for working efficiently as a Curator and if you possess these skills then you have higher chances to get selecting in top recruiting companies, are tabulated below:

Check: BA Online

Salary of a Curator in India

The salary of a Curator in India varies depending on different organizations, specializations and also depends on gender. Therefore one should pay attention to these aspects as well. Some of the data are tabulated below:

Organization Wise Salary

The below table provides an average estimation of the average salary of a Curator in a government and a private organization who hires a Curator for their work. This data will help to choose the correct job for an interested candidate.

Specialization Wise Salary

Depending on the specializations under the profession of Curator, salary varies a lot. Different specialization has different job roles and responsibilities which creates the difference.

Gender Wise Salary

Gender of a person also plays a role in getting salary from any organization in India as their gender also gives an additional benefit in terms of creativity, work ethics, and other such factors.

Experience Wise Salary

Undoubtedly, after gaining sufficient experience, salary increases for any individual who is working as a Curator. After getting Experience from an organization, it enhances their efficiency and nature of work towards their role and responsibilities.