The word "curator" comes from the latin "curare" meaning "to care
for."

To be a curator is not to exhibit judgement, taste, selectivity, or
any of the hundred other misperceptions that have flooded the
profession.  You must do a number of things to "care" for the objects
of the collection.  The primary thing you have to do, that no one else
can do, is to Authenticate. The research from your authentication will
create your records, label copy, publications, education programs,
fund raising abilities, etc. You must collect, preserve, and
interpret, in that order and all this must follow authentication of
the objects.

You might consider contracting with a curator who has experience in
the area of your collection so as to create a credible set of
documents that will give your new institution academic credibility.


Paul Apodaca