Museum and Art Gallery Technicians

(NOC 5212)

in All Arts, Culture, Recreation and Sport

This group includes workers who classify and catalogue museum artifacts and gallery works of art, construct 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 are employed in museums and galleries. Picture framers and taxidermists may also be employed in retail settings or may be self-employed. This group also includes museum and other interpreters who conduct guided tours. They are employed by 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 type of collection.

Job Outlook

Average

Estimate Moderate growth employment change, 2017-2019
Estimate 80 openings due to growth and retirements, 2017-2019
Estimate Moderate rate of unemployment in 2016

Compared to: All Arts, Culture, Recreation and Sport

Estimate Moderate growth employment change, 2017-2019
Estimate 735 openings due to growth and retirements, 2017-2019
Estimate Moderate rate of unemployment in 2016

The employment outlook over the next few years for this occupational group is “average”, which indicates the chances of a qualified individual finding work is comparable to the average for all occupations in Nova Scotia. This is a moderate sized occupation in Nova Scotia so some job opportunities may occur through turnover. The number employed in this occupation is expected to grow moderately over the next few years, which will likely provide some additional opportunities for employment. 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. Museum and Art Gallery Technicians most commonly work full-time hours. Furthermore, the jobs are typically temporary positions (such as a term, contract, or casual work). With employment conditions being seasonal in nature, periods of downtime or layoff throughout the year are fairly common.

The median employment income for 11% of Museum and Art Gallery Technicians who worked full-time, year-round in 2015 was $45,980. 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

$11.55

Minimum

$14.00

Median

$27.69

Maximum

Annual Pay

$3,633

Minimum

$10,693

Median

$37,649

Maximum

Compared to: All Arts, Culture, Recreation and Sport

Hourly Pay

$11.55

Minimum

$16.00

Median

$31.00

Maximum

Annual Pay

$945

Minimum

$11,712

Median

$60,447

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

Job duties

The following is a summary of main duties for some jobs in this group:

Conservation and restoration technicians assist in the restoration and conservation of artifacts under the direction of a conservator.
Curatorial assistants assist in the research, handling and storage of 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 assist with the planning and development of 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 fabricate custom frames, measure and cut mats, mat enhancements and glass, and mount paintings, photographs and other art work.
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

For this type of work, 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

295

employed in 2016

75.6%

employed full-time

3.4%

self employed

58.5%

41.5%

28.3

median age

Compared to: All Arts, Culture, Recreation and Sport

11,000

employed in 2016

59.4%

employed full-time

33.3%

self employed

55.6%

44.4%

38.2

median age

Where will I likely work?

31.1%

Halifax

22.2%

Southern

22.2%

Cape Breton

14.8%

Northern

9.6%

Annapolis Valley

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

Northern

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

66.7%

Information, Culture & Recreation

9.1%

Public Administration

6.1%

Retail Trade

3.0%

Management, Admin & Other Support

3.0%

Food and Beverage Product Manufacturing

What is the age of Employment?

49.4%

15-24

13.0%

55-64

13.0%

45-54

10.4%

65+

9.1%

25-34

3.9%

35-44

Compared to: All Arts, Culture, Recreation and Sport

43.8%

35-44

35.4%

45-54

12.5%

25-34

8.3%

55-64

4.2%

65+

Top levels of education

42.7%

High school

$23,853 median annual income

23.7%

Bachelor's degree

$35,537 median annual income

16.8%

College certificate or diploma

$35,018 median annual income

5.3%

Less than high school

N/A

5.3%

Trades certificate

N/A

Compared to: All Arts, Culture, Recreation and Sport

27.5%

Bachelor's degree

$19,705 median annual income

26.2%

High school

$7,127 median annual income

20.3%

College certificate or diploma

$20,158 median annual income

10.2%

Less than high school

$2,298 median annual income

8.0%

Master's degree

N/A

Education & training

Art teacher education

This program is typically offered at the college or university level.

This instructional program class includes any program that prepares individuals to teach art and art appreciation programs at various educational levels.

Institutions providing this program

NSCAD University

5163 Duke Street

Halifax, NS B3J 3J6

(902) 444-9600

admissions@nscad.ca

Website

Cape Breton University

PO Box 5300 1250 Grand Lake Road

Sydney, NS B1P 6L2

(888) 959-9995

registrar@cbu.ca