I'm interested in becoming a curator after college and wanted to know if the salary for this specific career is decreasing as years go on or at a constant or increasing.
Just wanted to know. #art #history #museums #curator
3 answers
Eva’s Answer
A curatorial career is exciting and interesting. As far as salary goes, as you work in curatorial jobs, your salary will increase with cost of living each year, in most museums, as well as increase as your experience grows and you become more in demand. Your degrees should be in art history, whether historic or contemporary - and the more advanced degree you have, the better. Curators work in a variety of settings, from museums and galleries to auction houses; from website-driven initiatives such as RAW-Artists (a great new model) to organizations that arrange travelling exhibitions. The more experience you have the higher your salary will grow. Most curatorial salaries are competitive in a geographic market according to the budget of the museum. For example, in NYC, where there are so many museums and galleries, curators at small museums tend to make around the same amount of money and curators are large museums make similar salaries. In the field, salaries are not going down, as the economy grows. Also, there are different levels of curators, from Curatorial Aides (at the start of your career) to Senior Curator (well into your career).
Universities also hire curators for their university art galleries and to manage their collections.
Good luck in your career - curatorial work is exciting and very rewarding!
Yvonne’s Answer
1. **Salary Consistency**: The earnings of curators usually remain steady or grow slowly over time. Nonetheless, it's crucial to remember that incomes in the arts and culture industry can be less than in other sectors. Often, individuals in this career are driven by their love for the work and a dedication to the cultural and educational components of the role.
2. **Geographical Influence**: The income of curators can greatly differ based on location. In bigger cities or establishments with larger budgets, curators could earn more than their counterparts in smaller or less financially supported institutions.
3. **Significance of Experience**: Similar to many careers, experience significantly influences salary growth for curators. As you accumulate more experience and expertise, you might have the chance to land higher-paying roles.
4. **Education**: Advanced qualifications in fields like art history, museum studies, or related areas can be crucial for curator roles, and they might affect salary scales.
5. **Type of Establishment**: Curators can be employed at a variety of establishments, such as museums, galleries, historical sites, or universities. Salaries can vary based on the organization's purpose and mission.
Remember, the job market and salary trends can shift over time, so it's advisable to investigate up-to-date salary information and job market conditions as you plan your curating career. Moreover, networking and acquiring experience through internships and entry-level roles in museums or cultural institutions can be beneficial steps towards a career in curating.