Apprenticeship training course

Curator (level 7)

Research, understand, develop and interpret collections, themes or subjects.

• Qualification level: 7 ; Equivalent to master’s degree.
• Typical duration: 36 months
• Apprenticeship category: Creative and design
• Maximum funding: £12,000 ; Maximum amount government will fund ; for apprenticeship training.
• Also known as:
  • Assistant Curator
  • Curator
• Skills:
  Skills an apprentice will learn

  • Lead on the application and/or development of collections management processes including cataloguing whilst ensuring suitable handling,storage provision and audits
  • Deliver new exhibitions, projects and collections displays as appropriate and with authenticity, e.g. research, development, organisation, administration, installation
  • Refresh and/or re-present permanent, temporary and online displays/ exhibitions, determining and using appropriate interpretation methodologies
  • Lead on and/or manage collections development which may include acquisition, disposal and loans, including national/international inter-organisation loans as appropriate. Ability to evaluate the long-term implications of collections development decisions.
  • Commission, undertake and/or disseminate collections-related research
  • Interpret and respond to research, intelligence and analysis of audience feedback and preferences
  • Work with subject experts to develop creative interpretation/story telling approaches and content for exhibitions, displays and digital content
  • Build subject specialist and sector networks internally and/or externally to keep abreast of emerging trends and developments that may impact medium and long-term plans
  • Relate collections to a wider historical or contemporary understanding
  • Recruit and select, as required by their organisation, subject experts, internal/external agencies, contractors and other organisations to work with collaboratively
  • Work with others to achieve projects from inception to completion meeting agreed outcomes
  • Develop exhibitions and display through internal/external designers as appropriate for their organisation
  • Analyse and respond to visitor research when planning exhibitions, displays and digital content
  • Manage teams, which may include some/all volunteers as required
  • Set/agree milestones, deadlines and workflow for colleagues (in other departments or members of project/programme teams) to ensure delivery, as required by the organisation.
  • Contribute/signpost to fundraising/income generation through grant applications, sponsorship and charging activities as appropriate for the role
  • Interrogate, interpret and evaluate data sets on audience engagement
  • Negotiate with stakeholders in order to achieve desired outcomes and to align with institutional objectives
  • Communicate, both in writing and verbally, to a range of stakeholders to achieve shared goals, objectives and solve problems
  • Write reports, for a range of internal/external audiences, regarding activities
  • Act as an Ambassador for the organisation to raise its profile and communicate the importance of its work. This may mean representing the organisation including attending and/or presenting at conferences and workshops as well as developing/contributing to publications for the organisation
  • Share best practice and/or deliver training to internal staff and external organisations e.g. Museum Association regarding accession activities.
  • Deliver talks/tours/presentations/events to continue to engage existing audiences e.g. members and supporters as well as to broaden the participation base
  • Contribute to the institution’s on-line and social media presence, and digital content in accordance with the organisation’s objectives

Full information on Curator (level 7) is available from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.

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