If you are keen on pursuing a career in fashion, you might want to consider the role of museum fashion curator. Curators oversee collections of art work and garments, and develop ways in which objects and archives can be interpreted through events, exhibitions, and publications. Their work involves buying exhibits, organizing exhibitions, recording items, and dealing with enquiries. In addition, curators may conduct research on findings.
Here’s everything you need to know about being a museum fashion curator.
Being a museum fashion curator is a rewarding career with a lot of diversity. Typical responsibilities of museum fashion curators include:
The exact nature of the role will depend on the size of the museum. If you work at a small museum, the curator may also manage the institution as a whole. At a large museum, on the other hand, there may be multiple curators specialising in different elements of the exhibitions. You should also be aware that self-employment and contract work is common in this line of work.
Some fashion curators may be expected to travel at times, but the work is mainly in one location. And it can involve some evening and weekend work, so you will have to be committed to your role if you want to succeed as a museum fashion curator.
Curators possess the following skills:
It is important to possess most of these skills if you want to make it as a museum fashion curator. Without these skills, it will be hard to thrive in the role.
The average pay for fashion curators in the United Kingdom ranges from £30,000 to £50,000 per year. The specific pay depends on factors such as location, level of experience, and education and training.
In the beginning of your career as a museum fashion curator, you may need to start at a lower salary and work your way up. Many curators start this way, beginning with a small yearly salary and eventually working their way up to a higher salary as they gain more experience in the field.
Do you like the sound of being a museum fashion curator? It’s definitely an interesting job role. However, you will need to take the appropriate steps if you want to land a position as a curator. Scroll down for tips on becoming a museum fashion curator.
Due to the strong competition in this area, curators typically need a master’s degree in fashion, design, art history, or museum studies. You might be able to get away with having a bachelor’s degree if you work at a small museum. Alternatively, begin a more junior role as an assistant curator and work your way up from there to attain the role of curator.
Getting a degree won’t just increase your chances of landing a job role as a curator, it will also give you a thorough understanding of the field as a whole. The better your understanding, the better you’ll perform as a fashion curator. Since curators have administrative responsibilities too, you may also benefit from taking a course in marketing, public relations, or business administration.
You may have an advantage in the competitive job market if you have internship experience. Try finding an internship as an assistant to a curator at a museum to hone your skills and up your chances of getting picked as a professional curator at a museum.
Experience really pays off in this industry. If you can show you know what you’re doing and you have connections who can recommend you, you’ve already got your foot in the door. It’s definitely one of the most effective ways to stand out as an applicant.
The more people you know in the field, the better. Show people in the industry what you can do and what you’re capable of to increase your credibility. You can even offer your skills free of charge or for a low rate in the beginning of your career just to build a CV or portfolio. Attend networking events, connect with relevant people on social media platforms, and basically just get yourself (and your amazing work!) out there.
Museum fashion curators have a fun and dynamic role. However, if you want to make it as a curator, you will need to work hard, earn the relevant qualifications, and make a name for yourself in the field.
If you’re interested in learning more about Fashion Curation, check out our podcast episode where we discuss Fashion Curation in Museums.
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