How does one become a Museum Curator ? (fund, college degree, jobs)

[rishi85]

Its always been a fantasy of mine to work in the metropolitan museum of art or any of those museums in New york city and unlike other mainstream jobs like engineering and law which have become saturated, I feel that no one really goes for an offbeat career such as this.

What do you think does it take to become an apprentice and then work your way up-College degree I assume.....I mean the basic bachelor's is a requisite everywhere today.I have an associate's in History so how do I go about trying to work in a museum in my local city ?
Do you think there is competition even in this field ?

[Jasmine728]

My niece works in a large museum and I think this is her goal one day. She has a BA in Art History and will be going for her Masters. This is a HIGHLY COMPETITIVE field and you must really be well known in the art community. This means spending your weekends and evenings getting to know artists and curators attending openings, and really knowing your art. There is a lot of politics in the art world. I would think an internship would be a good place to start. Maybe even volunteer at a museum if possible. Get your foot in the door somehow though and start networking the more people and artists you know .. the better.

[chet everett]

Several paths, from climbing the ladder of progressively larger / more prestigitious museums, to academics that move in the rite cirlces, to those that come from the fund raiser / donor world.

I dated a girl in college whose father was a prof in the art dept and he really tired to land a curator gig, to no avail....

[Jasmine728]

Also learning other languages is helpful . My niece is fluent in Spanish, Tai, and is learning German now too.

[NYChistorygal]

A PhD in art history would help.

[altlover85]

I would make sure you have a BA in art history and then get a MA in curatorial studies. If possible, figure out which type of art speaks to you and do a thesis on it or volunteer in a museum that has a good collection of that kind of art. It's also important for you to do an internship. You will be able to establish connections that way.

[brightdoglover]

Unfortunately, a whole lot of people have already thought of this career and want it, as the previous posters can attest. They give good advice.
Likely it'd be best to start out in a small area, not a major city museum where the big careers are.
And likely good to have a back-up plan. I think it's pretty fierce out there.

[kodaka]

Unlike engineering and law, the art field has been oversaturated for a long time.

[LongtimeBravesFan]

Call the director of a museum and ask him what his educational background is or what course of study he'd suggest you follow. You probably would need a phd in art or history to run a major museum.

[NYChistorygal]

Job postings will also give you an idea of what different types of museums require.