The process of designing, developing, and implementing museum exhibits, including research, object selection, interpretation, and presentation.
History of museums: Understanding the origins, growth and evolution of museums as institutions and their cultural significance.
Museum and curatorial ethics: Understanding the principles and guidelines that govern the work of museum professionals.
Collection management: Techniques and procedures for the documentation, conservation, storage, and display of objects in a museum collection.
Exhibition design: Principles and practices of designing exhibitions that are engaging, informative and attractive to visitors.
Interpreting objects: Techniques and theories for interpreting objects and their contexts.
Marketing and audience engagement: Methods for marketing and promoting museum activities, and ensuring diverse audiences are engaged with the museum's programs and activities.
Fundraising and grant writing: An understanding of fundraising activities, including grant applications, sponsorship proposals, and donor cultivation.
Museums and community engagement: The role of museums in the local community, and strategies for engaging with local communities.
Digital technologies and museums: Understanding the use of digital technologies in museums, including virtual exhibitions and social media.
Conservation and preservation: Principles of the conservation and preservation of cultural heritage, including the decision-making processes that inform conservation and preservation efforts.
Art history: A thorough understanding of the history of art, including different movements, styles, and techniques.
Anthropology: Understanding of the diverse cultures and societies around the world, and the role of museums in preserving and interpreting cultural heritage.
Business and management skills: An understanding of business and management skills, including financial management, marketing, and human resource management, that are essential for effective museum management.
Government policy and law: Knowledge of government policy and law relating to museums and cultural heritage, including those related to cultural property, repatriation, and accessibility.
Contemporary curatorial practices: An understanding of current trends and practices in curatorial practice, including the role of the curator in contemporary art and the debates over the political and social aspects of curatorial practice.
Cross-disciplinary collaboration: How curatorial practice interfaces with other disciplines in academia and the cultural sector, including the art market, academia, and the digital humanities.
Architecture and spatial design: Principles and practices of building design and visual communication that are essential for effective exhibition design and communication with visitors.
Science and technology: Understanding of technology and techniques in fields like analytical chemistry, imaging, and conservation that help conservators and curators preserve and interpret the material culture of the past.
Gender, race, and identity: The intersections of cultural heritage with current debates over identity politics and social justice, including the role of museums in reflecting the diverse experiences of contemporary society.
Writing skills: Effective communication skills are essential for curators to communicate their research to audiences, including writing exhibition labels, interpreting objects, and publishing scholarly articles.
Art Curator: A curator responsible for managing and organizing exhibitions of art, including painting, photography, sculpture, video, and installation art.
Historical Curator: A curator responsible for managing and organizing exhibitions of historical artifacts, documents, and other cultural items of importance.
Science Curator: A curator responsible for managing and organizing exhibitions related to scientific artifacts, natural history, and technology.
Education Curator: A curator responsible for developing educational programs and materials for museum visitors, particularly school groups.
Community Curator: A curator who works to establish connections between the museum and the local community, involving them in exhibition planning and development.
Digital Curator: A curator responsible for managing and organizing digital collections and exhibitions.
Curatorial Researcher: A curator who conducts research into the collection and develops exhibitions based on their findings.
Exhibition Designer: A curator responsible for the design and layout of exhibitions, considering aspects such as lighting, sound, and space.
Collections Manager: A curator responsible for cataloging and maintaining museum collections, including managing access to items and protecting them from damage.
Anthropology Curator: A curator responsible for managing and organizing exhibitions related to cultural artifacts, traditional knowledge, and heritage of different communities.
Fashion Curator: A curator who specializes in fashion, responsible for managing exhibitions of fashion artifacts, fashion history, fashion designers, etc.
Performance Art Curator: A curator responsible for managing and organizing exhibitions of performances like dance, theater, music, and other performing arts.