Home > Courses > MUSEUM METHODS | Elizabeth Kryder-Reid

Modules: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | Exercises: | 1 | 2 | 3 |4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
Assignments: | 1 | 2 | Handouts: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | Bibliographies: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |       Syllabus

Museum Professional Positions

1. Archivist: MA in History or allied field, often has library science training. Oversees the management, of the institutional archives (documentary records of the museum's mission and accomplishments). Cataloguing, conservation, visitor services, and support of other museum activities that use the archives.
2. Attorney: (staff attorneys are usually only in largest institutions), JD, member of the Bar. Not necessarily specific museum training, but some programs offer that specialty (George Washington U.) Interprets laws applicable to museum operations and administration. Legal council on issues such as trustee responsibility, fiscal policy and funding procedures, museum ethics and conduct, national and international requirements for field research, loans, bequests, taxes, intellectual property rights, acquisitions, labor laws, deaccession,
3. Collections manager: B.A. or M..A. in Museum's specialty with museum training desired. (relatively new position --historically work shared by curators and registrar). Most often in natural history, history, and general museums where diversity of collections has more requirements. Directly involved with the collection, preparation, and storage of the objects (organization of storage, environmental controls, security, stabilization and preventive conservation), administration of collection facilities, dissemination of information about collection to staff, public, and researchers.
4. Conservation scientist:(most often serve as consultants, rather than on staff, except in the largest museums) Ph.D. or various levels of science degrees depending on specialty, post-doc. or fellowship appointments desired. Responsible for the technical study of the object (tests assessing the macro and micro structure of the object) - x-ray, infra red, mass spectrometry; collaborates with curators and conservators on the technical study and treatment procedures.
5. Conservator:: MA or Ph.D. With specialized training in conservation. Responsible for the physical well-being of the objects -- examination and treatment of collection, protection from further deterioration (cleaning, desalination, stabilization)
6. Curator: Ph.D. or masters with a concentration in the discipline of the museum's specialization. The "keeper" and more -- They are the subject matter expert in the discipline of the collection. Responsible for policies and procedures for loans, attribution, authentication, research, and publication. Responsible for exhibition of objects and participates in exhibit planning teams. Also monitors care and security of objects in storage and on exhibition. May have administrative responsibilities such as overseeing the work of the conservator, registrar, collections manager, etc.
7. Deputy director/ Vice president/Assistant director/Associate director: various configurations given the specific authority structure in the administration of nonprofit institutions (may provide oversight for financial management, human resources, education)
8. Development officer: MA or BA in appropriate field (arts admin., marketing, public relations, etc.) fundraising including: grants, donors membership drives, special events, endowments operations.
9. Director: PhD or MA in museum's discipline. Leader and Manager. Command of the field, ability to shape the future of the museum in conjunction with the board of trustees of the museum. Director must then follow through with policy making, planning, budgeting, and fund raising to carry out those goals. Public "face" and liaison with other institutions and governmental entities.
10. Docent: Guide, paid or volunteer, to visitors - the "voices" of the museum (from docere -- latin "to teach") trained as museum educators to mediate, interpret and encourage visitors to participate actively in learning. Also serve in public relations capacity -- lectures to outside groups, special events, demonstrations.
11. Editor: 3 or more years of editorial experience. On staff or as consultants. Prepares and supervises printed material for the institution (journals, calendars, newsletters, etc.)
12. Educator: MA in museum specialization, education, or museum education (or combination). Provides broad spectrum of learning experiences for museums' diverse public. Develops, implements, evaluates, and supervises the museums educational programs based on the mission of the museum. May employ a variety of media and techniques, on-site and off. (films, lectures, special events, teach training, school trips, outreach programs, demonstrations, docent training). Often on exhibition planning team and part of museum management team.
13. Exhibit designer: B.A. in graphic design, industrial design, commercial art, theater, studio arts, interior design or Museum and exhibition planning (note Web site) Works with curatorial and educational staff to translate conceptual ideas into concrete form through renderings, scale models, lighting, arrangement of objects, and sinage. Serves on Exhibition-planning team, supervises production of exhibitions and may have administrative responsibilities.
14. Exhibition planner/developer: New position - coordinates team planning for exhibitions working with curators, designers, and educators to develop comprehensive plans and be responsible to the administration of the museum. Sometimes mediator and facilitator of the process.
15. Exhibition preparator: Fabricates and installs museum exhibitions. Advises on, Administers, supervises or performs work in planning, construction, installation, and operation of exhibitions. The preparation of gallery space for exhibitions.
16. Facilities manager: coordinates the physical work place.
17. Financial officer: (business manager, accountant, bookkeeper, controller) Fiscal management of the Museum Studies Program
18. Graphic designer: Works with publications and exhibitions - designing banners, posters, signage, and publication graphics.
19. Health officer:Nurse
20. Horticulturist:
21. Information manager: relatively new. Responsible for facilitating the flow of information within an institution and btw. The institution and the public
22. Librarian: (mention IMA library)
23. Marketing manager: Market research, developing a marketing plan and organizing the staff to accomplish it. May be on staff or consultant.
24. Media manager: Relatively new - responsible for developing policy and planning strategy for all educational media programs. (micro gallery, taped tours, CD ROMS, interactive computers in exhibits.
25. Membership officer: Runs membership programs to raise funds for operations, solicit community support, and ensure interested audiences for program activities.
26. Personnel: (human resources) director responsibilities for hiring and employment practices (in med. and large museums)
27. Photographer: record keeping, research, publication, pr,
28. Public relations officer: concerned with the public image of the museum and is responsible for media strategy (relations with media, museum promotional projects , news releases, may also manage advertising budget
29. Registrar: controls the flow of information about the collections and is responsible for the development and enforcement of the museum's collections policy and procedures. [information systems include forms, legal documents, acquisition files, condition reports, loans, packing, shipping, storage, inventory, insurance, etc.]
30. Security chief: Responsible for the protection of the building, its collections, the exhibitions, the staff, and the public who visit it.
31. Museum shop manager: responsible for the operation of the museum shop in a retail environment. May develop new merchandise production in consultation with museum staff.
32. Volunteer coordinator: responsible for development, organization, operation, supervision and evaluation of volunteer programs. Requires expert diplomacy skills as well as thorough knowledge of the museum's staff and operations.

Assistant and support positions

1. Art or objects handler
2. Artist
3. Cataloguer
4. Conservation aide
5. Custodian
6. Development assistant
7. Exhibitions assistant
8. Financial clerk or administrative assistant
9. Gardener
10. Guard
11. Interpreter or explainer
12. Librarian technician
13. Mechanic
14. Objects processor
15. Proofreader
16. Researcher
17. Secretary
18. Shop assistant
19. Technician
20. Tour scheduler
21. Woodworker

(see excercise to illustrate museum positions and responsibilities)

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© 2003 MATRIX
Project Director: Anne Pyburn
Indiana University Bloomington