SOUTH AFRICA 路 SALARY IN RANDS

Curators

What the work involves, the skills employers want, and how to get started in South Africa.

  • Collections Curator
  • Collections Manager
  • Curator
  • Education Curator
  • Exhibitions Curator
  • Exhibits Curator
  • Museum Curator
  • Photography Curator

What do Curators do?

A curator is a professional responsible for the organization, management, and overall stewardship of collections, particularly in museums, galleries, and cultural institutions. They play a pivotal role in preserving and interpreting cultural heritage, ensuring that artifacts, artworks, and historical items are appropriately exhibited and accessible to the public. Curators conduct research on the items in their collections, often providing contextual background that enhances public understanding of the works. This includes writing exhibition catalogues, developing educational programs, and leading tours that engage visitors with the material. Additionally, curators collaborate with artists, scholars, and other stakeholders to create meaningful exhibitions that reflect current trends, social issues, and historical significance. A curator's work not only involves the physical aspects of collection management, such as conservation and display, but also encompasses curatorial decisions regarding acquisitions, deaccessioning, and strategic planning for future exhibitions and educational outreach. Their role is essential in fostering an appreciation for cultural heritage and promoting public accessibility to art and history.

What the work actually is

  • Plan and organize the acquisition, storage, and exhibition of collections and related materials, including the selection of exhibition themes and designs, and develop or install exhibit materials.
  • Develop and maintain an institution's registration, cataloging, and basic record-keeping systems, using computer databases.
  • Plan and conduct special research projects in area of interest or expertise.
  • Provide information from the institution's holdings to other curators and to the public.
  • Negotiate and authorize purchase, sale, exchange, or loan of collections.

Skills employers expect

Skills

  • Reading Comprehension Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
  • Speaking Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Active Listening Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Writing Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
  • Critical Thinking Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

Abilities

  • Oral Comprehension The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Oral Expression The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Written Comprehension The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  • Deductive Reasoning The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Near Vision The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Knowledge

  • English Language Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • History and Archeology Knowledge of historical events and their causes, indicators, and effects on civilizations and cultures.
  • Fine Arts Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
  • Administration and Management Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
  • Sociology and Anthropology Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures, and their history and origins.

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How people get into it

Education of new hires

Master's degree
Doctoral degree
Post-baccalaureate certificate
Awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Baccalaureate degree, but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees carrying the title of Master

A normal week

  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
  • Documenting/Recording Information
  • Getting Information
  • Thinking Creatively
  • Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work

Tools used on the job

Technology

  • Data base user interface and query software Artsystems Collections 路 Database software 路 FileMaker Pro 路 Microsoft Access
  • Presentation software Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Graphics or photo imaging software Adobe Creative Cloud software 路 Adobe Illustrator 路 Adobe Photoshop 路 Graphics software
  • Object or component oriented development software Perl 路 Python 路 R
  • Office suite software Corel WordPerfect Office Suite 路 Microsoft Office software

Tools

  • Screwdrivers Slotted screwdrivers
  • Scanners Digitizers
  • Mat cutter Mat cutters
  • Levels Precision levels
  • Utility knives Precision knives

Who it suits

Conventional

Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

Enterprising

Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.

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Questions people ask

How much do Curators earn in South Africa?

Curators salaries in South Africa vary by experience, province and employer.

What do Curators do?

Plan and organize the acquisition, storage, and exhibition of collections and related materials, including the selection of exhibition themes and designs, and develop or install exhibit materials, Develop and maintain an institution's registration, cataloging, and basic record-keeping systems, using computer databases and Plan and conduct special research projects in area of interest or expertise.

How do I know if this career fits me?

Take the free Assessify career assessment. It matches your answers to careers and shows the South African salary next to each one.