I work as a project manager for a company that builds museum displays. It is my experience that most curators dont carry a phd, and I am not sure that it is eally a necessity

Cate Cooney wrote:

> Hi All,
>
> > Candace Perry, schwenkfelder library & heritage center wrote:
> >
> > Don't you think, however, that the positions that absolutely require a PhD
> > are limited to a handful of top-level curatorial jobs...specifically in art
> > museums?
>
> Oh, yes! But Sienna did say that she wanted to be a curator and that her
> main interest was modern and contemporary art - I guess I assumed she
> was thinking of a large art museum and not a small (though surely fine)
> history museum.  Also, I think I mentioned that the list archives show
> (survey says!) that everyone agrees that experience is the most
> important factor.  This doesn't mean that a Ph.D. won't help your cause
> though!  Even if a position doesn't specifically require a Ph.D., a
> Ph.D. may be necessary to be competitive.
>
> > And that the people who hold these jobs not only have the degree,
> > but extensive experience (perhaps gained while working on their PhDs) and
> > published work?
>
> Oh my goodness yes!  I am sure she will hold on to that "good museum
> job" and will try to publish early and often, as well as seek out any
> opportunity to assist in curating, or even curate shows.  But I still
> think she should plan on a Ph.D.  If she hates the process, she can walk
> away with a very useful Masters and plenty of experience.
>
> Funny - I always assume that people work while getting their degrees and
> that they usually work or volunteer in their field of interest.  So the
> Ph.D. and experience go hand in hand in my head - is this not usually
> the case?
>
> -Cate
>
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