Conservators and Curators
(NOC 5112)
in All Art, Culture, Recreation and SportConservators restore and conserve artifacts belonging to museums, galleries, and owners of cultural property. Curators recommend the purchase of museum artifacts and gallery works of art and research their artistic history. Conservators and curators work in museums, art galleries, and universities. Conservators may be self-employed. Conservators and curators may specialize in a collection or material like furniture, weapons, books, paintings, and musical instruments.
Job Outlook
Undetermined
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Compared to: All Art, Culture, Recreation and Sport
This is not a large occupation in Nova Scotia so job opportunities may not be that frequent. With a large percent of workers being 55 years of age and older, retirements are expected to be a key contributor to employment opportunities over the coming years. Conservators and Curators most commonly work full-time hours. Also, a fair portion of the workforce is self-employed, so having the option to "work for yourself" may appeal to some individuals’ interests/motivations.
The median employment income for 72% of Conservators and Curators who worked full-time, year-round in 2015 was $38,915. Across all occupations in Nova Scotia, 59% of those who worked full-time year round had a median employment income of $43,600.
(Source: 2016 Census)
Hourly Pay
N/A
MinimumN/A
MedianN/A
MaximumAnnual Pay
N/A
Minimum$32,766
MedianN/A
MaximumCompared to: All Art, Culture, Recreation and Sport
Hourly Pay
$12.55
Minimum$24.73
Median$36.29
MaximumAnnual Pay
$945
Minimum$11,712
Median$60,447
MaximumAbout the job
Nature of work
Conservators restore and conserve artifacts belonging to museums, galleries, and owners of cultural property. Curators recommend the purchase of museum artifacts and gallery works of art and research their artistic history. Conservators and curators work in museums, art galleries, and universities. Conservators may be self-employed. Conservators and curators may specialize in a collection or material like furniture, weapons, books, paintings, and musical instruments.
Job duties
Conservators:
- Examine artifacts, determine their condition, suggest methods for treating them and recommend preventive conservation techniques to their owners.
- Restore and conserve paintings, photographs, sculptures, furniture, pottery and other museum and art gallery artifacts.
- Provide advice museum and gallery artifacts display and storage to ensure proper maintenance and preservation.
- Research new conservation and restoration techniques.
- Consult with museums, art galleries, or private individuals.
- Supervise conservation technicians and other museum technicians.
Curators:
- Recommend the purchase of paintings, photographs, sculptures, documents and other museum and art gallery artifacts.
- Research origins and artistic history of artifacts.
- Develop storylines and themes and organize displays and exhibitions.
- Coordinate collection storage and setting up displays and exhibitions.
- Oversee collection conservation, display, and circulation.
- Supervise curatorial assistants and other museum technicians.
Sample job titles
- art gallery conservator
- art gallery curator
- assistant curator
- assistant museum curator
- curator
- library curator
- museum conservator
- museum curator
Skills
You need excellent administrative, research, organizational, writing, and planning skills, as well as intellectual curiosity. You should have supervisory skills and the ability to work with people of all ages, including other staff. Knowledge of computer systems, literature, and current information sources is also important. Conservationists require a good understanding of chemistry. Being able to speak and write French would be an asset in some positions.
Job requirements
- Conservators require a master's degree in art conservation or completion of a three-year college program in conservation technology and several years of experience in conservation work.
- Curators require a master's or bachelor's degree in museology, art history or a field related to their specific area of work.
Other considerations
Progression to museum or art gallery management positions is possible with experience.
By the numbers
Quick look
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Compared to: All Art, Culture, Recreation and Sport
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Where will I likely work?
Halifax
Southern
North Shore
Cape Breton
Annapolis Valley
Compared to: All NS Occupations
Halifax
North Shore
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
Southern
Top Industries of Employment
Arts, entertainment and recreation
Public administration
Educational services
Other services (except public administration)
What is the age of Employment?
55-64
45-54
35-44
25-34
65+
Compared to: All Art, Culture, Recreation and Sport
15-24
35-44
45-54
25-34
55-64
Top levels of education
Bachelor
$27,942 median annual incomeMaster
$33,763 median annual incomeCollege Diploma
N/AHigh school
N/ACompared to: All Art, Culture, Recreation and Sport
Bachelor
$17,829 median annual incomeHigh school
$7,552 median annual incomeCollege Diploma
$22,120 median annual incomeLess than high school
$2,922 median annual incomeMaster
$36,173 median annual incomeEducation & training
Art
College or University ProgramThese programs focus on the introductory study and appreciation of the visual arts. These programs include courses in art, photography, and other visual communications media.
Institutions providing this program
Wolfville, NS
Art History, Criticism and Conservation
College or University ProgramThese programs focus on the study of the historical development of art as a social and intellectual phenomenon, the analysis of works of art, and art conservation. They include courses in the theory of art, art history research methods, connoisseurship, the preservation and conservation of works of art, and the study of specific periods, cultures, styles, and themes.
Institutions providing this program
Fine Arts
College, Trades, or University ProgramThese programs prepare students to generally function as creative artists in the visual and plastic media. They include courses in the traditional fine arts media (drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, CAD/CAM) and/or modern media (ceramics, textiles, intermedia, photography, digital images), theory of art, colour theory, composition and perspective, anatomy, the techniques and procedures for maintaining equipment and managing a studio, and art portfolio marketing.
Institutions providing this program
History
College or University ProgramThese programs focus on the general study and interpretation of the past, including gathering, recording, synthesizing and criticizing of evidence and theories about past events. They include courses in historiography, historical research methods, studies of specific periods, issues and cultures, and applications to areas like historic preservation, public policy, and records administration.
Institutions providing this program
Wolfville, NS
Sydney, NS
Employment requirements & contacts
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