Well stated and summarized. Since there were no positive responses to the
point about reciprocal agreements we should be safe in assuming that they
are unlikely.
nburlakoff
-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf
Of Nancy S. Powell
Sent: Friday, August 22, 2003 11:45 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Curator License??
Dear Ysaac,
Unlike other international countries such as France, in the USA, I am not
aware of any test that certifies one for life as being a qualified museum
curator.
The closest thing is taking a state government civil service exam and being
ranked for a curatorial position/job. This does not result in a lifetime
qualification. One may have to retake the test at a future date. Or, one can
be disqualified for a variety of reasons. (I'm not very familiar with
reasons for disqualification, so I won't discuss that topic.)
I think it works the same way for USA federal government positions. However,
to find out for sure, you could contact someone in a USA federally run
museum (Smithsonian) or national historic site (National Independence
Historical Park or Valley Forge National Historic Park, both in the
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania region).
In reply to Nicholas B., I am not aware of any states that have reciprocal
agreements regarding ranking on civil service exams or for civil service
positions (for example, a ranking in a particular job classification in New
York State is automatically accepted in Pennsylvania or New Jersey or vice
versa).
That doesn't mean that such arrangements don't exist, I'm just not aware of
them.
To add to Robin's comments:
In my experience, state civil service "exams" come in two varieties (there
may be other permutations), depending on the nature of the work/position to
be filled:
1) Taking an exam (similar to taking tests in school) that requires one to
answer a set of questions designed to test your knowledge and/or experience
in a particular subject or field of work. You are then graded by the civil
service exam administrators and given your ranking.
2) Taking an "exam" which is, in essence, transferring your resume onto the
civil service form, in order to answer their questions about the type and
extent of pertinent work experience you have. You are then graded by the
civil service exam administrators and given your ranking.
As Robin says, then civil service compiles a list of qualified applicants to
be used when a particular position comes open and candidates need to be
located and interviewed.
The changing availability of candidates results in changes to the list
(candidates accept other jobs, move out-of-state, lose interest, die, family
situations change, etc.).
When a list becomes "exhausted" or has few candidates on it, then civil
service makes the exam available again (open) in order to gather a new list
of qualified candidates. Civil service will publize the time frame an exam
is "open" and when it closes. (One has to look on state websites to find
these announcements.) Once an exam is closed, one has to wait (sometimes for
years) before it becomes open again.
Exams for positions where there might be high need and high turnover
(nurses, clerical, trades) might be open frequently (every year or several
times a year), whereas exams for positions such as curators and museum
administrators might open only occasionally (every few years) since there
are so few of these jobs and probably low turnover.
For Ysaac to obtain actual copies of such exams, s/he probably would have to
try to work through state civil service offices. I assume the exams are
compiled by peers who know the needs of a particular job and then approved
by civil service, but that is a guess.
I do not know what countries other than France that might have a national
test. Perhaps Italy? I hope international subscribers to this list can
answer that question.
Nancy Powell
----- Original Message -----
From: "Campbell, Robin (PEB)" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, August 20, 2003 8:50 AM
Subject: Re: Curator License??
I can not speak for all states but as a curator who has worked for New York
State for 24 years I can tell you that I do not have a certificate that says
I am certified to work as a curator. In NYS, Civil Service exams are given
for most competitive class jobs. The people who pass the exams are ranked ba
sed on their scores and a list is created. When a position opens up it is
filled from the list. The top 3 people on the list are interviewed first.
There is no certification process like there is for CPAs or a BAR exam for
lawyers which indicates someone has passed a standard test and meets the
minimum knowledge qualifications of the profession.
Do any of the other curators on the list who work for other state
governments have a different system?
-----Original Message-----
From: Nicholas Burlakoff [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Tuesday, August 19, 2003 10:28 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Curator License??
One can also become a "certified' curator by taking a civil service
examination for the position of curator. This examination is significant for
employment in governmental jobs. The examinations vary from state to state
(some may not even have them) and I do not know if they can be transferred
from one state to another.
nburlakoff
-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf
Of Nancy S. Powell
Sent: Tuesday, August 19, 2003 11:23 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Curator License??
Dear Ysaac,
In the USA, curators are not licensed. Individual archivists take tests to
receive certification, but I am not aware of any similar requirement for
curators.
Anyone can become a curator by: taking academic studies in a subject area
they are particularly interested in; studying in an institution of higher
education to receive a Masters degree or Ph.D. in their particular area of
expertise; studying in an institution of higher education to receive a
Masters degree or Certification in museum studies; working in a museum; or
by a combination of these.
A look at the job listings for curators at the Aviso section of the American
Association of Museums (AAM) website will give you a range of qualifications
museums seek for curators.
Museums as institutions can be accredited by going through the accreditation
process sponsored by the AAM whereby a museum is judged by peers
(experienced professional colleagues) who use a set of established
guidelines to see how well the museum is following accepted professional
standards in its activities, e.g., collections care, educational programs,
visitor services, etc.
Sincerely,
Nancy Powell
----- Original Message -----
From: hyojung kim <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Thursday, August 14, 2003 1:29 AM
Subject: Curator License??
Hello all,
I am looking for examples of Curator License.
Has any other country conduct a Curator License system?
I am curious to know which country has
Curator License and how do they implement it?
Please reply directly if you wish. Thanks.
Any input will greatly be appreciated.
Best Regards,
hope your summer has been full of sunshine and a few nice gray days--
Ysaac
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