4 answers
Olivia
Student
Madison, Wisconsin
1
Question
Updated
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How much time is spent actually curating/socializing with artists as opposed to desk work in job positions like a Curator?
I am an undergrad student perusing a BA in Art History. I love to research, write, and immerse myself with art and artists. Will being a curator fulfill my passions?
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4 answers
NT Electrician
1
Answer
Dong Nai, Dong Nai
Updated
NT’s Answer
It really depends on the institution and the specific type of curator position, but generally speaking, a lot more time is spent on desk work than most people expect. While curating and working directly with artists is a big part of the job (especially in contemporary art or smaller institutions), it's only a slice of the workload.
A large portion of a curator's time is dedicated to research, writing grant proposals, exhibition planning, budgeting, coordinating with other departments (education, marketing, conservation), managing collections databases, and handling administrative tasks. There's also a good amount of emailing and scheduling—especially when coordinating loans or planning events.
Curators do spend time socializing with artists—studio visits, exhibition openings, panels, etc.—but often that happens outside regular 9-to-5 hours. For contemporary curators especially, staying connected with artists is essential, but it’s balanced by all the behind-the-scenes work that makes those exhibitions and relationships possible.
Interestingly, in some museum or gallery environments, you’ll also find overlap with roles like exhibition designers, fabricators, or even technical staff like electrical repairers, especially when prepping installations that involve complex lighting, media, or interactive components. So while curators may not be doing hands-on electrical work themselves, they often collaborate closely with people who do.
If you're looking for a role that’s more heavily focused on interacting with artists day-to-day, you might want to look into positions in artist-run spaces, galleries, or residencies, where the structure tends to be more flexible and artist-centered.
Hope that helps!
A large portion of a curator's time is dedicated to research, writing grant proposals, exhibition planning, budgeting, coordinating with other departments (education, marketing, conservation), managing collections databases, and handling administrative tasks. There's also a good amount of emailing and scheduling—especially when coordinating loans or planning events.
Curators do spend time socializing with artists—studio visits, exhibition openings, panels, etc.—but often that happens outside regular 9-to-5 hours. For contemporary curators especially, staying connected with artists is essential, but it’s balanced by all the behind-the-scenes work that makes those exhibitions and relationships possible.
Interestingly, in some museum or gallery environments, you’ll also find overlap with roles like exhibition designers, fabricators, or even technical staff like electrical repairers, especially when prepping installations that involve complex lighting, media, or interactive components. So while curators may not be doing hands-on electrical work themselves, they often collaborate closely with people who do.
If you're looking for a role that’s more heavily focused on interacting with artists day-to-day, you might want to look into positions in artist-run spaces, galleries, or residencies, where the structure tends to be more flexible and artist-centered.
Hope that helps!
Jerry Tingstad
Professor/middle school teacher/48 years
123
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Jerry’s Answer
First, Doc's answer is a good one, as usual.
The only thing I could add is to spend some time in an area that has it all when it comes to art, the museums, galleries, auction houses. Such as New York City, most especially Manhattan. Fifth Avenue for museums such as the Frick and the MET and the Guggenheim. The Upper East Side also has a number of galleries and an auction house.
Of course it could be an expensive endeavor, but there are reasonable places to stay in NY and the trains (subways) to get to the Upper East Side are not expensive and then, eat like a local; bagels, Chinese lunch specials and a slice or two (meaning pizza) and only eat at places where the locals go.
I'd take at least a week or ten days.
Enjoy.
The only thing I could add is to spend some time in an area that has it all when it comes to art, the museums, galleries, auction houses. Such as New York City, most especially Manhattan. Fifth Avenue for museums such as the Frick and the MET and the Guggenheim. The Upper East Side also has a number of galleries and an auction house.
Of course it could be an expensive endeavor, but there are reasonable places to stay in NY and the trains (subways) to get to the Upper East Side are not expensive and then, eat like a local; bagels, Chinese lunch specials and a slice or two (meaning pizza) and only eat at places where the locals go.
I'd take at least a week or ten days.
Enjoy.
Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1835
Answers
California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
CURATOR
A curator is defined as a person who is in charge of things that are in an exhibit. Most commonly, curators are responsible for the collections that are housed in art galleries, museums, and libraries. They are tasked with the important responsibility of collecting, preserving, restoring, and educating visitors about the collections they oversee. The actual duties of a curator vary at different locations. At smaller institutions, curators can sometimes be the only ones responsible for a collection. This means they make all of the decisions on what to add to the exhibit, handle historical research, and take care of the pieces. At larger organizations, the curator is typically part of a more substantial team. There are other individuals who document the pieces and take care of them, so the curator can focus more on researching and collecting. Additionally, there may even be multiple curators who specialize in various areas.
GALLERIST
A gallerist is an owner or operator of an art gallery. Gallerists buy and sell artworks, and often focus on higher-end pieces that carry premium prices. The job responsibilities range from the technical—such as how to display artworks—to operational, such as keeping the gallery running properly. Gallerists are responsible for the artworks shown in the gallery. Gallerists may also work with curators and art dealers to determine which pieces to show. The gallery may specialize in particular genres of art or periods of time, or they may include several different types of art, allowing buyers to see a range of different pieces in one location. Buyers and sellers expect someone with expertise to be assisting them when evaluating a particular work of art, so gallerists need to be well-versed in the art they are selling. This knowledge may come from a formal education in art history, or the gallerist may have been a museum curator or worked in auction houses in the past. A gallerist should know how to price their inventory so it will sell, but not be undervalued.
ART DEALER
Art dealers are individuals or businesses that facilitate the buying and selling of artworks. They act as intermediaries between artists, collectors, and institutions, leveraging their knowledge and expertise to create successful transactions. Art dealers build relationships with artists, scouting for talent and identifying emerging trends. They often acquire artworks directly from artists or through auctions, carefully curating their inventory to appeal to a specific audience. Beyond buying and selling, art dealers contribute to an artist's career development. They promote artists through exhibitions, art fairs, and collaborations with galleries, ensuring that their work gains visibility and recognition. Art dealers also play a crucial role in determining the market value of artworks, providing insights into pricing and investment opportunities.
ART ADVISOR
Art advisors, also known as art consultants, work closely with collectors to navigate the complex art market. Their primary focus is to offer personalized guidance and expertise to individuals or institutions seeking to build and manage their art collections. Art advisors possess extensive knowledge of art history, market trends, and artists' careers, enabling them to provide invaluable insights to collectors. Art advisors assist clients in defining their collecting goals and curating collections that reflect their tastes, interests, and investment objectives. They conduct extensive research, attending auctions, exhibitions, and art fairs to identify potential acquisitions. Art advisors also negotiate prices, handle logistics, and offer advice on conservation and preservation techniques. Beyond acquisition, art advisors provide ongoing support to collectors, assisting with valuations, appraisals, and collection management strategies. They act as trusted advisors, leveraging their industry network and expertise to ensure that collectors make informed decisions and build meaningful collections.
CONCLUSION
Curators, Gallerists and Art dealers are integral components of the art world, each playing distinct roles in shaping the market, fostering artistic careers, and guiding collectors. Art dealers navigate the marketplace, facilitating transactions and promoting artists' work. Gallerists curate exhibitions and create immersive experiences, championing artists' visions. Art advisors offer personalized guidance to collectors, facilitating informed decision-making and helping shape significant collections. By understanding the differences between these roles, art enthusiasts can navigate the art world more effectively, appreciating the collaborative efforts that shape the vibrant and diverse art ecosystem.
A curator is defined as a person who is in charge of things that are in an exhibit. Most commonly, curators are responsible for the collections that are housed in art galleries, museums, and libraries. They are tasked with the important responsibility of collecting, preserving, restoring, and educating visitors about the collections they oversee. The actual duties of a curator vary at different locations. At smaller institutions, curators can sometimes be the only ones responsible for a collection. This means they make all of the decisions on what to add to the exhibit, handle historical research, and take care of the pieces. At larger organizations, the curator is typically part of a more substantial team. There are other individuals who document the pieces and take care of them, so the curator can focus more on researching and collecting. Additionally, there may even be multiple curators who specialize in various areas.
GALLERIST
A gallerist is an owner or operator of an art gallery. Gallerists buy and sell artworks, and often focus on higher-end pieces that carry premium prices. The job responsibilities range from the technical—such as how to display artworks—to operational, such as keeping the gallery running properly. Gallerists are responsible for the artworks shown in the gallery. Gallerists may also work with curators and art dealers to determine which pieces to show. The gallery may specialize in particular genres of art or periods of time, or they may include several different types of art, allowing buyers to see a range of different pieces in one location. Buyers and sellers expect someone with expertise to be assisting them when evaluating a particular work of art, so gallerists need to be well-versed in the art they are selling. This knowledge may come from a formal education in art history, or the gallerist may have been a museum curator or worked in auction houses in the past. A gallerist should know how to price their inventory so it will sell, but not be undervalued.
ART DEALER
Art dealers are individuals or businesses that facilitate the buying and selling of artworks. They act as intermediaries between artists, collectors, and institutions, leveraging their knowledge and expertise to create successful transactions. Art dealers build relationships with artists, scouting for talent and identifying emerging trends. They often acquire artworks directly from artists or through auctions, carefully curating their inventory to appeal to a specific audience. Beyond buying and selling, art dealers contribute to an artist's career development. They promote artists through exhibitions, art fairs, and collaborations with galleries, ensuring that their work gains visibility and recognition. Art dealers also play a crucial role in determining the market value of artworks, providing insights into pricing and investment opportunities.
ART ADVISOR
Art advisors, also known as art consultants, work closely with collectors to navigate the complex art market. Their primary focus is to offer personalized guidance and expertise to individuals or institutions seeking to build and manage their art collections. Art advisors possess extensive knowledge of art history, market trends, and artists' careers, enabling them to provide invaluable insights to collectors. Art advisors assist clients in defining their collecting goals and curating collections that reflect their tastes, interests, and investment objectives. They conduct extensive research, attending auctions, exhibitions, and art fairs to identify potential acquisitions. Art advisors also negotiate prices, handle logistics, and offer advice on conservation and preservation techniques. Beyond acquisition, art advisors provide ongoing support to collectors, assisting with valuations, appraisals, and collection management strategies. They act as trusted advisors, leveraging their industry network and expertise to ensure that collectors make informed decisions and build meaningful collections.
CONCLUSION
Curators, Gallerists and Art dealers are integral components of the art world, each playing distinct roles in shaping the market, fostering artistic careers, and guiding collectors. Art dealers navigate the marketplace, facilitating transactions and promoting artists' work. Gallerists curate exhibitions and create immersive experiences, championing artists' visions. Art advisors offer personalized guidance to collectors, facilitating informed decision-making and helping shape significant collections. By understanding the differences between these roles, art enthusiasts can navigate the art world more effectively, appreciating the collaborative efforts that shape the vibrant and diverse art ecosystem.
Michelle M.
Actress
2450
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Olivia !
Regarding your first question, it's not possible to tell you how much time you in particular will spend working as a Curator. Your employer{s} will tell you that when you begin working. It's going to depend on where you work, how many jobs or projects you are working on at the same time, if you sit on a Board for an art organization, if you write articles or participate in other activities in the art world. The focus right now is on the knowledge and skills it will take to become an outstanding Curator. The career comes later.
Now and while you are in college, you can interact with a few places right there in the professional art world in Madison. Connect with The Monroe Street Arts Center, as well as the City of Madison's Madison Arts Commission. Their CSArt Madison initiative can help you be active in the local art world. You are fortunate because Madison has a great artists community in which you can find support and opportunity !
Remember Advisor Jerry's advice, too. Definitely plan trips into New York City as well. Not only is Manhattan super rich and practically the center for art, there is the Brooklyn Museum in the Prospect Heights section of Brooklyn. This museum is amazing, just like the ones in Manhattan are. In between visits to New York City, check out the art community in Milwaukee, too.
Yes, being a Curator will definitely fulfill your interest and passion. Remember that it is a process and no two Curator careers are alike. You are taking the right steps being an Art History major as that is a beginning step. Try not to project - no one knows how their career is going to be and it's not something that would even help you if 100 people told you. Just keep living in the moment and take advantage of every opportunity that comes along now.
If your university offers these, try to take some courses in business management (to get basic learning for management), and also Grant Writing (always a good skill and can be for your organization or an outside one and pays well usually).
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best ! Enjoy the journey every step of the way !
Regarding your first question, it's not possible to tell you how much time you in particular will spend working as a Curator. Your employer{s} will tell you that when you begin working. It's going to depend on where you work, how many jobs or projects you are working on at the same time, if you sit on a Board for an art organization, if you write articles or participate in other activities in the art world. The focus right now is on the knowledge and skills it will take to become an outstanding Curator. The career comes later.
Now and while you are in college, you can interact with a few places right there in the professional art world in Madison. Connect with The Monroe Street Arts Center, as well as the City of Madison's Madison Arts Commission. Their CSArt Madison initiative can help you be active in the local art world. You are fortunate because Madison has a great artists community in which you can find support and opportunity !
Remember Advisor Jerry's advice, too. Definitely plan trips into New York City as well. Not only is Manhattan super rich and practically the center for art, there is the Brooklyn Museum in the Prospect Heights section of Brooklyn. This museum is amazing, just like the ones in Manhattan are. In between visits to New York City, check out the art community in Milwaukee, too.
Yes, being a Curator will definitely fulfill your interest and passion. Remember that it is a process and no two Curator careers are alike. You are taking the right steps being an Art History major as that is a beginning step. Try not to project - no one knows how their career is going to be and it's not something that would even help you if 100 people told you. Just keep living in the moment and take advantage of every opportunity that comes along now.
If your university offers these, try to take some courses in business management (to get basic learning for management), and also Grant Writing (always a good skill and can be for your organization or an outside one and pays well usually).
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best ! Enjoy the journey every step of the way !