Archivist/Curator

Print

Work Tasks

ARCHIVISTS/CURATORS search for and store items of lasting value that can be used for research, in museum exhibitions, and in educational programs. Archivists and curators plan and oversee the arrangement, cataloging, and maintenance of collections. Archivists decide which valuable records and documents should be part of permanent holdings, such as books and printed materials. Curators maintain objects found in cultural, biological, or historical collections, such as sculptures, textiles, and paintings. Archivists and curators conduct research on topics or items relevant to their collections. Archivists may be part of a library, museum, or historical society, and curators oversee collections in museums, zoos, aquariums, botanical gardens, nature centers, and historic sites.

Salary, Size & Growth

Entry Requirements

Employers generally require ARCHIVISTS/CURATORS to have graduate education and work experience in a field related to their specialty. Many work in archives or museums while completing their formal education. Some archivists have a double master's degree in history and library science, with courses in archival science. Museums generally require curators to have a master's degree in an appropriate discipline of the museum's specialty, such as art, history, archaeology, or museum studies. Curators often need knowledge in a number of fields such as artistic conservation, chemistry, physics, and art. Many employers prefer a doctoral degree, especially for curators in natural history or science museums. The Academy of Certified Archivists offers voluntary certification for archivists.