The exhibition curator is the person primarily responsible for an exhibition of works of art. This art professional defines the theme of the exhibition, chooses the works, determines the venue according to the works' constraints, creates the staging and manages all the organization.
While paying attention to new artistic trends, he or she knows how to recognize tomorrow’s new artists in order to exhibit them and make them known to art world professionals.
How to Become an Exhibition Curator? Discover the programs and the career profile of the exhibition curator.
Programs to Become an Exhibition Curator
To pursue this career, you need to enroll in an exhibition curator school. Various leading schools, such as IESA arts&culture, offer programs suited to candidates for this position. The school notably has a Bachelor Art Expertise and Trade allowing students to develop their knowledge of artworks from different periods and to specialize in painting or decorative furniture.
The courses taught as part of the exhibition curator program, Master Exhibition Curating or MBA Arts & collecting management (in English), will teach them organizational techniques, as well as the concepts of administrative and regulatory management. Students also discover the professions of art distribution, sales, and appraisal. To become an exhibition curator, it is also possible to pursue Bac+5 programs:
The duties of the exhibition curator
The exhibition curator is the professional who ensures the organization of an exhibition. They are responsible for choosing the theme as well as selecting the pieces to be exhibited. This professional also manages the exhibition setup from start to finish. It is up to them to find the appropriate venue for the event and to supervise the various stages of installation, from transporting the works to staging them, including writing the catalog. They must therefore show imagination and creativity to present the works in an attractive way. The exhibition curator may focus solely on the artistic direction of the exhibition. In that case, they are referred to as a curator. As part of their work, the exhibition curator defines the missions assigned to each member of their team and manages the budget.
The exhibition curator profession, skills and salary.
After completing their exhibition curator training, candidates can apply to an art gallery, an art center, a foundation or a museum. They can also go freelance and offer their services at various events such as fairs or festivals. Exhibition curators work variable hours and overtime is not uncommon. In addition, great availability is required to practice this profession because of frequent travel. Mastery of foreign languages, including English, is also necessary. The salary of an exhibition curator depends on the assignments entrusted to them and on their employer.