Museum and Art Gallery Technicians
(NOC 5212)
in All Art, Culture, Recreation and SportThis group includes workers who classify and catalogue museum artifacts and gallery works of art, build and install exhibits and displays, restore, maintain and store museum and gallery collections, frame artwork, and perform other functions in support of curatorial and conservation activities. They work for museums and galleries. Picture framers and taxidermists may also work in retail settings or may be self-employed. This group also includes museum and other interpreters who conduct guided tours. They work for art galleries, museums, parks, aquariums, zoos, interpretive centres, botanical gardens, cultural centres, nature sanctuaries, historic and heritage sites, and other locations. Technical museum and gallery workers may specialize in a specific collection.
Job Outlook
Average
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Compared to: All Art, Culture, Recreation and Sport
While the province has a fair number of museums and historic parks and sites, full-time job ads occur infrequently, as turnover is quite low for this group. Also, some opportunities are low-paying relative to the requirements, which would likely limit potential supply. Demand for this occupation depends in part on public funding.
Hourly Pay
$14.50
Minimum$18.30
Median$25.00
MaximumAnnual Pay
$3,633
Minimum$10,693
Median$37,649
MaximumCompared to: All Art, Culture, Recreation and Sport
Hourly Pay
$13.00
Minimum$21.00
Median$40.00
MaximumAnnual Pay
$945
Minimum$11,712
Median$60,447
MaximumAbout the job
Nature of work
This group includes workers who classify and catalogue museum artifacts and gallery works of art, build and install exhibits and displays, restore, maintain and store museum and gallery collections, frame artwork, and perform other functions in support of curatorial and conservation activities. They work for museums and galleries. Picture framers and taxidermists may also work in retail settings or may be self-employed. This group also includes museum and other interpreters who conduct guided tours. They work for art galleries, museums, parks, aquariums, zoos, interpretive centres, botanical gardens, cultural centres, nature sanctuaries, historic and heritage sites, and other locations. Technical museum and gallery workers may specialize in a specific collection.
Job duties
Conservation and restoration technicians:
- Help restore and conserve artifacts under the direction of a conservator.
Curatorial assistants:
- Help research, handle, and store artifacts.
Museum interpreters:
- Conduct tours of museums, gallery exhibitions and historical, heritage and other sites, answer inquiries, and provide information concerning exhibits or sites.
Museum extension officers:
- Help plan and develop travelling exhibitions and special events.
Museology technicians:
- Protect and care for cultural artifacts and collections during exhibitions, while in transit, and in storage.
Museum registrars and cataloguers:
- Classify and assign registration numbers to artifacts and supervise inventory control.
Preparators:
- Construct displays and dioramas, build models, install artifacts in displays, and prepare artifacts for storage and shipping.
Picture framers:
- Make custom frames, measure, and cut mats, mat enhancements and glass, and mount paintings, photographs, and artwork.
Taxidermists:
- Prepare and mount skins of birds or animals for preservation, scientific or display purposes.
Sample job titles
- archaeological technician
- art gallery registrar
- conservation and restoration technician
- curatorial assistant
- museum cataloguer
- museum interpreter
- museum registrar
- museum technician
- park interpreter
- taxidermist
Skills
- You should be patient and organized, and have good research skills. Both oral and written communication skills are essential. You must be able to work unsupervised with museum users, and cooperate with co-workers. Good computer skills and knowledge about audiovisual equipment are strongly recommended.
Job requirements
- Registrars, cataloguers and interpreters may require a university degree in a field related to museum and gallery work.
- For other jobs in this group, completion of a college program in museum technology or conservation technology or other technical or on-the-job training programs related to the work are required.
Other considerations
- Work in these jobs is often seasonal as many people become unemployed in the fall. Museum interpreters may require specific scientific or academic credentials for employment by some museums, nature centres or other sites.
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
$11,105 median annual incomeSouthern
$8,388 median annual incomeCape Breton
$14,704 median annual incomeNorth Shore
$10,562 median annual incomeAnnapolis Valley
$12,964 median annual incomeCompared to: All NS Occupations
Halifax
North Shore
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
Southern
Top Industries of Employment
Arts, entertainment and recreation
Public administration
Retail trade
Information and cultural industries
Professional, scientific and technical services
What is the age of Employment?
15-24
25-34
45-54
55-64
65+
35-44
Compared to: All Art, Culture, Recreation and Sport
15-24
35-44
45-54
25-34
55-64
Top levels of education
High school
$7,188 median annual incomeBachelor
$14,799 median annual incomeCollege Diploma
$11,054 median annual incomeLess than high school
$5,114 median annual incomeTrade Certification
$14,342 median annual incomeCompared 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 Teacher Education
College or University ProgramThese programs prepare individuals to teach art and art appreciation programs at various educational levels.
Institutions providing this program
Employment requirements & contacts
No regulating bodies were found under this occupation profile
Contacts
Additional resources
There are no additional resources for this occupation.