Archivists, Curators and Museum Workers

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Duties

Archivists typically:

• Verify and assess historical documents.
• Keep records and items safe.
• Systematize electronic record management for longevity.
• Make copies of critical papers on film or digitally.
• Organize, show, and manage collections with help.
• Set and enforce regulations for public information access.
• Find and buy new materials for their historical document collection.

Among the duties of curators, museum technicians, and conservators are:

• Assembling, storing, and displaying.
• Conduct public tours and workshops.
• Attend public events to promote their cause.
• Thoroughly cleaned ancient tools, coins, and sculptures
• Manage and supervise museum technical, curatorial, and student staff.
• Plan and execute specific studies.

An archivist is in charge of preserving important documents and data. They keep the public informed and interested through tours, seminars, and workshops. Depending on their holdings, they may also work on research projects with academics.

Some archivists specialize in a particular time period to better understand the records from that time period. To become an archivist, one must be familiar with the many sorts of documents found in archives.

A museum director or curator is in charge of collecting, storing, and displaying artifacts. They buy, sell, trade, and lend collections. Curators may also investigate, analyze, and catalogue objects in a collection.

Curators manage research and educational efforts at their institutions, as well as administrative obligations. They may represent their university in the media at professional and public events.

Major museum curators may specialize in botany, art, or history. Curators oversee the museum's bird, fish, and animal collections, for example.

In a small museum, a curator may be in charge of anything from collection care to museum administration.

Preparing museum artifacts for display or long-term storage is the task of museum preparators. These artisans can make art frames and mats. They can also create exhibits by creating and erecting cases and providing appropriate lighting. They also move and arrange products for shipment.

Acquisitions are monitored by registrars and collections experts, as well as the loan of artifacts for exhibition or research. If an object is transported to another museum, an inventory of its previous locations is kept. They also maintain track of and archive all supporting documents.

Workers in this category may also supply information about the museum's assets to outside curators and scholars.

Conservators work with artifacts, specimens, and works of art. They can do historical, scientific, and archaeological research. They keep meticulous records and preserve or repair damaged items. Conservators frequently focus on documents, books, artworks, and textiles.

Before selecting how to maintain an object, conservators often use laboratory equipment and processes like x-rays to assess its condition. They may also undertake outreach, research in their field, and publish for scholarly publications.

Education

Archivists. In most cases, archivists need a master's degree in history, library science, archive studies, political science, or public administration to work in the field. In order to get relevant archiving experience, students might volunteer or work as interns in the field.

Curators. There are a number of ways to become a curator, including a master's degree in art history or museum studies. Applicants with a bachelor's degree may be eligible for curator posts in smaller institutions. It is highly recommended that aspiring curators take business administration, public relations, marketing, and fundraising courses.

Technicians at the museum. A bachelor's degree in museum studies or a closely related discipline, such as archaeology, art history, or history, is often required for museum technicians. A master's degree in museum studies is required for some positions. Museum employers may favor individuals with understanding of the museum's expertise or previous museum experience.

Conservators. A master's degree in conservation or a related discipline is often required for conservators. 

Graduate programs can run anywhere from two to four years, with the latter half of that time dedicated to an internship experience. Applicants to these programs must have a strong academic foundation in the fields of art history, chemistry, or studio art in order to be considered for admission. As an undergraduate, doing a conservation internship may improve an applicant's chances of being accepted into a graduate school.

Registration, Certification, and Licensing

Despite the fact that most companies do not demand certification, certain archivists may seek to gain voluntary certification in order to demonstrate their knowledge in a particular field.

It is possible to become a Certified Archivist by passing the exam administered by the Academy of Certified Archivists. Candidates for certification typically need a master's degree, archival experience, and a passing score on an exam. Re-taking the test or completing continuing education credits are the only ways they may keep their certification current.

Other People's Opinions

Candidates may be required to work part-time, as an intern, or as a volunteer, either during or after completing their school, in order to get relevant job experience. For full-time roles, you'll need a strong background in collection administration, research, display design, or restoration, as well as database management abilities.

Advancement

Archives, historical, and museum organizations offer educational events such as conferences and seminars to keep members up to date on the latest developments in their fields. There are certain significant institutions, such as the US National Archives and Records Administration in Washington DC, that provide in-house training.

The most prestigious posts at museums are in high demand. Large institutions place a high value on original research and the publication of one's findings. Some higher-level occupations may also need a doctoral degree.

In smaller museums, museum staff may have less prospects for advancement. They often go to a larger institution with management responsibilities in order to progress.

Qualities that are critical to success

Analytical abilities. To learn about the origin, history, and significance of the items they work with, archivists, curators, museum technicians, and conservators must delve into the smallest of details.

Customer service abilities. Working with the general public is a routine occurrence for archivists, curators, museum technicians, and conservators. They must be courteous, friendly, and able to help users find materials.

Dedicated to accuracy. It is essential that archivists and museum technicians be able to concentrate on details since they utilize and construct complicated databases relating to the objects they maintain and have access too.

Possessing a sense of order. A variety of specialists in document storage and retrieval work in museums and archives. For the public, they must also devise logical storage solutions.

Pay

As of May 2020, the average yearly salary for archivists, museum workers, and curators was $52,140. It is the salary at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount, and half earned less. Less than $30,460 was earned by the bottom 10% of earners, while over $91,800 was earned by the top 10% of earners.

Job Projections

Museum and archival jobs are expected to grow at a substantially greater rate than the average for all occupations, by 19% between 2020 and 2030.