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Exhibits curator vs director of exhibits

The differences between exhibits curators and directors of exhibits can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both an exhibits curator and a director of exhibits. Additionally, a director of exhibits has an average salary of $66,960, which is higher than the $48,658 average annual salary of an exhibits curator.

The top three skills for an exhibits curator include curate, press releases and exhibit design. The most important skills for a director of exhibits are exhibit design, event management, and trade shows.

Exhibits curator vs director of exhibits overview

Exhibits CuratorDirector Of Exhibits
Yearly salary$48,658$66,960
Hourly rate$23.39$32.19
Growth rate12%12%
Number of jobs2685,837
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%Bachelor's Degree, 75%
Average age4444
Years of experience66

Exhibits curator vs director of exhibits salary

Exhibits curators and directors of exhibits have different pay scales, as shown below.

Exhibits CuratorDirector Of Exhibits
Average salary$48,658$66,960
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $94,000Between $44,000 And $101,000
Highest paying CityVirginia Beach, VA-
Highest paying stateAlaska-
Best paying companyThe University of Chicago-
Best paying industry--

Differences between exhibits curator and director of exhibits education

There are a few differences between an exhibits curator and a director of exhibits in terms of educational background:

Exhibits CuratorDirector Of Exhibits
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%Bachelor's Degree, 75%
Most common majorFine ArtsFine Arts
Most common collegeHarvard UniversityHarvard University

Exhibits curator vs director of exhibits demographics

Here are the differences between exhibits curators' and directors of exhibits' demographics:

Exhibits CuratorDirector Of Exhibits
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 34.4% Female, 65.6%Male, 51.2% Female, 48.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 5.3% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 7.4% Asian, 5.2% White, 76.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%Black or African American, 5.3% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 7.3% Asian, 5.1% White, 76.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage13%13%

Differences between exhibits curator and director of exhibits duties and responsibilities

Exhibits curator example responsibilities.

  • Manage visual resource center, including acquisition, cataloging, budget management and other relevant issues.
  • Compile a catalogue of artist biographies for guests to reference.
  • Assist in preparing zoo for AZA re-accreditation: create and clean exhibits as well as grounds keeping and diet preparation.
  • Design and implement comprehensive training programs focusing on artifact preservation and cleaning base on complete training course taken at Smithsonian.
  • Fashion and coordinate historical costumes for first person interpretation

Director of exhibits example responsibilities.

  • Manage domestic and international travel arrangements including transportation, lodging, and logistics for individuals and groups utilizing travel management systems.
  • Create division budget, and report month to month ROI.
  • Organize the RFP process for selection of audio-visual, decorators, hotels and other vendors.
  • Develop RFP's and RFQ's for all major projects and maintain a positive relationship with vendors.
  • Provide strategic leadership and planning for the environmental nonprofit's commercial energy efficiency services, program design, and program implementation.
  • Used Marriott computer applications to manage and administer events.

Exhibits curator vs director of exhibits skills

Common exhibits curator skills
  • Curate, 26%
  • Press Releases, 15%
  • Exhibit Design, 14%
  • Condition Reports, 10%
  • Adobe Photoshop, 9%
  • Graphic Design, 8%
Common director of exhibits skills
  • Exhibit Design, 42%
  • Event Management, 9%
  • Trade Shows, 7%
  • Contemporary Art, 7%
  • Contract Negotiations, 6%
  • Educational Programs, 4%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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