Open Forum

Hi, I'm an emerging professional in the museum field with big dreams of curating my own exhibits. I have a Bachelor's Degree in History and a Master's Degree in American Studies but I keep getting the feeling I can't start creating exhibits without an official degree in Museum Studies. Is it possible to learn everything I'd need to know through my own research, conferences and internships or is a degree or certificate needed to truly know what I'm doing? I recently discovered many resources like the AAM that I think could really benefit my journey without an official degree. Is there anyone out there who can tell me their path less travelled background on how they became a curator without an official degree in Museum Studies? If I do decide to go through with my own exhibit am I officially a curator then or is their some kind of unspoken hoops I need to jump through to give myself that title? Seeking advice about my future career and I would just love to hear how others got their start. Thank you!

Hi, I'm an emerging professional in the museum field with big dreams of curating my own exhibits. I have a Bachelor's Degree in History and a Master's Degree in American Studies but I keep getting the feeling I can't start creating exhibits without an official degree in Museum Studies. Is it possible to learn everything I'd need to know through my own research, conferences and internships or is a degree or certificate needed to truly know what I'm doing? I recently discovered many resources like the AAM that I think could really benefit my journey without an official degree. Is there anyone out there who can tell me their path less travelled background on how they became a curator without an official degree in Museum Studies? If I do decide to go through with my own exhibit am I officially a curator then or is their some kind of unspoken hoops I need to jump through to give myself that title? Seeking advice about my future career and I would just love to hear how others got their start. Thank you!

Hi, I'm an emerging professional in the museum field with big dreams of curating my own exhibits. I have a Bachelor's Degree in History and a Master's Degree in American Studies but I keep getting the feeling I can't start creating exhibits without an official degree in Museum Studies. Is it possible to learn everything I'd need to know through my own research, conferences and internships or is a degree or certificate needed to truly know what I'm doing? I recently discovered many resources like the AAM that I think could really benefit my journey without an official degree. Is there anyone out there who can tell me their path less travelled background on how they became a curator without an official degree in Museum Studies? If I do decide to go through with my own exhibit am I officially a curator then or is their some kind of unspoken hoops I need to jump through to give myself that title? Seeking advice about my future career and I would just love to hear how others got their start. Thank you!

Hi, I'm an emerging professional in the museum field with big dreams of curating my own exhibits. I have a Bachelor's Degree in History and a Master's Degree in American Studies but I keep getting the feeling I can't start creating exhibits without an official degree in Museum Studies. Is it possible to learn everything I'd need to know through my own research, conferences and internships or is a degree or certificate needed to truly know what I'm doing? I recently discovered many resources like the AAM that I think could really benefit my journey without an official degree. Is there anyone out there who can tell me their path less travelled background on how they became a curator without an official degree in Museum Studies? If I do decide to go through with my own exhibit am I officially a curator then or is their some kind of unspoken hoops I need to jump through to give myself that title? Seeking advice about my future career and I would just love to hear how others got their start. Thank you!

Hi, I'm an emerging professional in the museum field with big dreams of curating my own exhibits. I have a Bachelor's Degree in History and a Master's Degree in American Studies but I keep getting the feeling I can't start creating exhibits without an official degree in Museum Studies. Is it possible to learn everything I'd need to know through my own research, conferences and internships or is a degree or certificate needed to truly know what I'm doing? I recently discovered many resources like the AAM that I think could really benefit my journey without an official degree. Is there anyone out there who can tell me their path less travelled background on how they became a curator without an official degree in Museum Studies? If I do decide to go through with my own exhibit am I officially a curator then or is their some kind of unspoken hoops I need to jump through to give myself that title? Seeking advice about my future career and I would just love to hear how others got their start. Thank you!

Hi, I'm an emerging professional in the museum field with big dreams of curating my own exhibits. I have a Bachelor's Degree in History and a Master's Degree in American Studies but I keep getting the feeling I can't start creating exhibits without an official degree in Museum Studies. Is it possible to learn everything I'd need to know through my own research, conferences and internships or is a degree or certificate needed to truly know what I'm doing? I recently discovered many resources like the AAM that I think could really benefit my journey without an official degree. Is there anyone out there who can tell me their path less travelled background on how they became a curator without an official degree in Museum Studies? If I do decide to go through with my own exhibit am I officially a curator then or is their some kind of unspoken hoops I need to jump through to give myself that title? Seeking advice about my future career and I would just love to hear how others got their start. Thank you!

Destiny,

I have a BA in Art History, MA in History, PhD in History and a Graduate Certificate in Museum Studies (the Harvard DCE program). I am currently admitted to the Masters program in Museum Studies at Harvard, but I am unsure whether I will continue in the program.

Three thoughts I want to leave with you that I think are germane to your post:

1. I am overqualified for most museum jobs. I still apply, but the typical response I get is that they are scared I will leave as soon as a better offer comes along because it is apparent I am overqualified. I try to assure them that I am more interested in meaningful work than a lofty title or a large salary, but they don't seem terribly convinced. I'm sure they've been burned in the past and I can't blame them!
2. The Harvard program is great, but you can get all the same material by keeping abreast of ArtNet, ArtNews, AAM, ICOM and joining regional museum groups like NEMA. Attend all the workshops you can! Go to as many museum events as you can in your area. NETWORK. Doing this is really similar to the Harvard Museum Studies Masters program but MUCH less expensive.
3. I own my own consulting firm and I am currently doing free consultation work for a mentor in arts administration just to get more experience. In my job interviews so far, my experience seems more impressive to museum staff than the MANY academic credentials I have. In fact, I have not been asked a single question about my academic background; everyone wants to know what experience I have solving problems and working with a team on the job. The arts administration work I am doing is technically an internship, but, since I am a full-blown adult with a doctorate and not a 20-something, we are calling it a mentorship and a consultation. A mid-life mentorship like this has been the most important avenue for me into the museum world and I highly recommend it.

If you ever want to chat more about this 1:1 on the phone or via Zoom, I am happy to offer suggestions or vent or even learn from your experiences so far!

Best of luck,

Andrea Nero PhD

ceo@nerostrategies.com

Hi, I'm an emerging professional in the museum field with big dreams of curating my own exhibits. I have a Bachelor's Degree in History and a Master's Degree in American Studies but I keep getting the feeling I can't start creating exhibits without an official degree in Museum Studies. Is it possible to learn everything I'd need to know through my own research, conferences and internships or is a degree or certificate needed to truly know what I'm doing? I recently discovered many resources like the AAM that I think could really benefit my journey without an official degree. Is there anyone out there who can tell me their path less travelled background on how they became a curator without an official degree in Museum Studies? If I do decide to go through with my own exhibit am I officially a curator then or is their some kind of unspoken hoops I need to jump through to give myself that title? Seeking advice about my future career and I would just love to hear how others got their start. Thank you!

Hi, I'm an emerging professional in the museum field with big dreams of curating my own exhibits. I have a Bachelor's Degree in History and a Master's Degree in American Studies but I keep getting the feeling I can't start creating exhibits without an official degree in Museum Studies. Is it possible to learn everything I'd need to know through my own research, conferences and internships or is a degree or certificate needed to truly know what I'm doing? I recently discovered many resources like the AAM that I think could really benefit my journey without an official degree. Is there anyone out there who can tell me their path less travelled background on how they became a curator without an official degree in Museum Studies? If I do decide to go through with my own exhibit am I officially a curator then or is their some kind of unspoken hoops I need to jump through to give myself that title? Seeking advice about my future career and I would just love to hear how others got their start. Thank you!

Hi, I'm an emerging professional in the museum field with big dreams of curating my own exhibits. I have a Bachelor's Degree in History and a Master's Degree in American Studies but I keep getting the feeling I can't start creating exhibits without an official degree in Museum Studies. Is it possible to learn everything I'd need to know through my own research, conferences and internships or is a degree or certificate needed to truly know what I'm doing? I recently discovered many resources like the AAM that I think could really benefit my journey without an official degree. Is there anyone out there who can tell me their path less travelled background on how they became a curator without an official degree in Museum Studies? If I do decide to go through with my own exhibit am I officially a curator then or is their some kind of unspoken hoops I need to jump through to give myself that title? Seeking advice about my future career and I would just love to hear how others got their start. Thank you!

Hi Destiny,

You've clearly hit on a hot topic, just look at how many folks are here to help. This is so nice to see. I think the best answers will come if you define your ideal museum type. I'm guessing by your studies thus far that you're looking to work in a history museum? If so, my advice may not necessarily extend to that museum type.

As for art museums, a museum studies degree is nice, but what we really look for is an art history degree. In fact, the entry level curatorial assiatnt position has been filled by those with a masters degree in art history, and it's competitive with masters degrees. 90% of the curators have their Phds, and those who don't have just been in the game so long they are experts in their niche. So bottom, line for a small to mid sized museum you'll need at least a masters to get started and will likely need a PHd if you want to curate shows.

That said, if you get your masters, you can curate shows in smalled non-profit art centers. Look at the San Jose Institue of Contempory Art or the Palo Alto Art Center as models for this type of opportunity and find a similar place in your area.

As far as title goes, that can be self granted if you find the right opportunity. Perhaps you can find a small local or regional museum looking for free help or offer a small honorarium. If you research and assemble a show you can put that on your resume as "independent curator".

I'm happy to chat live if you need to dg deeper, best of luck,

Matt

Hi, I'm an emerging professional in the museum field with big dreams of curating my own exhibits. I have a Bachelor's Degree in History and a Master's Degree in American Studies but I keep getting the feeling I can't start creating exhibits without an official degree in Museum Studies. Is it possible to learn everything I'd need to know through my own research, conferences and internships or is a degree or certificate needed to truly know what I'm doing? I recently discovered many resources like the AAM that I think could really benefit my journey without an official degree. Is there anyone out there who can tell me their path less travelled background on how they became a curator without an official degree in Museum Studies? If I do decide to go through with my own exhibit am I officially a curator then or is their some kind of unspoken hoops I need to jump through to give myself that title? Seeking advice about my future career and I would just love to hear how others got their start. Thank you!

Hi, I'm an emerging professional in the museum field with big dreams of curating my own exhibits. I have a Bachelor's Degree in History and a Master's Degree in American Studies but I keep getting the feeling I can't start creating exhibits without an official degree in Museum Studies. Is it possible to learn everything I'd need to know through my own research, conferences and internships or is a degree or certificate needed to truly know what I'm doing? I recently discovered many resources like the AAM that I think could really benefit my journey without an official degree. Is there anyone out there who can tell me their path less travelled background on how they became a curator without an official degree in Museum Studies? If I do decide to go through with my own exhibit am I officially a curator then or is their some kind of unspoken hoops I need to jump through to give myself that title? Seeking advice about my future career and I would just love to hear how others got their start. Thank you!

Hi, I'm an emerging professional in the museum field with big dreams of curating my own exhibits. I have a Bachelor's Degree in History and a Master's Degree in American Studies but I keep getting the feeling I can't start creating exhibits without an official degree in Museum Studies. Is it possible to learn everything I'd need to know through my own research, conferences and internships or is a degree or certificate needed to truly know what I'm doing? I recently discovered many resources like the AAM that I think could really benefit my journey without an official degree. Is there anyone out there who can tell me their path less travelled background on how they became a curator without an official degree in Museum Studies? If I do decide to go through with my own exhibit am I officially a curator then or is their some kind of unspoken hoops I need to jump through to give myself that title? Seeking advice about my future career and I would just love to hear how others got their start. Thank you!