Image of career: Curator

Curator

Overview

Curators organise art exhibitions by researching, selecting, and presenting artistic and cultural collections.

Description

  • Research and select artists or artworks that fit exhibition themes and concepts.
  • Get selected artworks from artists, collectors, or collections for display.
  • Plan and organise art exhibition layouts, lighting, and overall presentation design.
  • Write materials and descriptions to help visitors understand the artwork.
  • Conduct guided tours and educational talks about artists, exhibitions, and art history.

Entry requirements

  • You need a Bachelor's Degree in History, Visual Arts, or related fields.
  • LASALLE College of the Arts offers a Bachelor's Degree in Arts Management, which is a three-year programme designed specifically for aspiring curators and arts professionals.

Salary

$3,300 – 5,300

/mo

Salary ranges are estimated based on public information found on Singaporean job portals, including MyCareersFuture, MySkillsFuture. Updated as of 2026.

Trivia

Curators come from diverse backgrounds - some start as artists, collectors, or professors. Large museums often employ different curators for different collections since each might specialise in specific artwork or periods.

What to expect

Curators may work at museums, galleries, or independently for private exhibitions. You should develop a well-trained eye to select and arrange artwork.

Soft
skills

Communication

Ability to express artistic concepts clearly through writing and speaking while engaging diverse audiences.

Creative Thinking

Able to approach art-related challenges with innovative solutions and new perspectives.

Attention to Detail

Ability to maintain precision and thoroughness when handling valuable artworks and managing complex tasks.

Art History

Trained to understand and analyse artistic movements, styles, and historical contexts.

Exhibition Management

Able to plan, organise, and execute art exhibitions including layout, lighting, and visitor flow management.

Museum Operations

Able to understand museum operations including curation, preservation, and educational programming for visitors.

Hard
skills

Charlene, Curator
"Curators are like storytellers. As Curators, we conceptualise and deliver exhibitions."

Charlene, Curator

National Youth Council

Frequently asked questions

Yes. Being a curator requires analysing artworks to understand their significance, so having strong knowledge of art subjects is essential for success.

Curators work in museums, art galleries, and exhibition spaces. They may be found engaging with visitors in galleries or travelling to discover potential additions to their collections.

They start by selecting the main theme or concept of the exhibition, which helps guide their selection process and ensures artworks are cohesive.

Curators conduct extensive research on artworks, providing valuable insights about the history, significance, and cultural context for public education.

Yes, artworks are sensitive to temperature, humidity, and light conditions, so maintaining appropriate environments is important to prevent damage and decline.