Museum & art gallery attendants work in the public spaces of museums and art galleries, greeting visitors, attending to enquiries, and ensuring the protection of exhibits.

ANZSCO ID: 451411

Alternative Names: Gallery Guide, Museum Guides

Knowledge, skills and attributes

To become a museum or art gallery attendant, you would need:

• an interest in museums or art galleries
• excellent customer service skills
• good communication and people skills
• the ability to react quickly in an emergency
• to be able to handle groups of people with ease
• a responsible attitude to your work
• an awareness of security issues

(Source: Good Universities Guide)

Duties and Tasks

As a museum or art gallery attendant, you would:

• Meets and greets visitors.
• Plans, organises and conducts tours of museums or galleries
• answer visitor enquiries
• Arranges entry to places of interest.
• control visitors' access to, and direct visitors to, exhibits
• Answers questions, provides commentaries, issues brochures and tour literature, shows audio-visual presentations, and explains components and procedures at tour sites.
• inspect membership cards, admission passes and tickets
• serve customers in the museum or art gallery gift shop
• check that all visitors have departed at closing time
• May assist with installing and dismantling exhibits.

Working conditions

You would normally work a standard number of hours per week, including weekend and public holiday opening hours. Part-time work should be readily available. Your would have to stand for long periods. You may need to wear a uniform, especially in a larger museum.

Education and training/entrance requirements

You can work as an art gallery or museum attendant without formal qualifications. Employers generally require junior secondary school certificate or equivalent. You would get some training on the job. A course in art, information and cultural service, tourism or guiding might be helpful. Carrying out volunteer work may improve your employment prospects.
Most public galleries, museums and National Trust properties have volunteer programmes, which usually include training and practical experience. Contact the volunteer coordinator at the organisations you are interested in for details.

Modest but ongoing expansion of long established and prominent art galleries museums is being accompanied by the development of privately funded ones. Technological advancements could likely present some challenges to this occupation in the medium term.

A museum education officer initiates, develops and administers special programs to inform and educate visiting school classes and other sections of the public about the collections and exhibitions. Education officers may also organise and travel with mobile exhibitions to suburban or country areas. Museum education officers forge links between visitors and museums and encourage learning through formal or informal education, marketing and publicity.

Education officers often combine previous career experience in education, learning or community development work with a career in museums.

ANZSCO ID: 1344

Knowledge, skills and attributes

• Good research skills
• Good analytical and problem-solving skills
• Good interpersonal and communication skills
• Organisational and time management skills
• Able to work under pressure and remain calm in stressful situations.

(Source: Smithsonian)

Duties and Tasks

• preparing and distributing publicity materials and displays
• writing plans and reports
• producing educational resources or study packs
• planning and delivering programmes of activities and events
• developing the museum's educational strategy
• liaising with schools, businesses, LEAs, voluntary/outreach/community groups, educational bodies and other organisations, and representing and promoting the museum
• organising school visits
• managing budgets
• generating income via fundraising activities and submitting funding bids
• analysing data and collating information and feedback
• attending conferences
• outreach work

Working conditions

Working with people of all ages is a key feature of the job and includes activities such as talks, presentations, workshops, demonstrations, guided tours and running courses. Some evening or weekend work may be required. Museum education officers working in large museums or galleries may be part of an education team.


Education and training/entrance requirements

Although a degree is not technically essential, it is unusual for non-graduate applicants to be offered a position. Relevant degree subjects include archaeology, museum studies, education studies, history of art and history.

You may also find it advantageous to have a degree that is related to the subject matter you wish to work with. If you did not study a relevant degree subject, it might be beneficial to do a postgraduate qualification; some museum staff have a postgraduate qualification in museum studies. Some employers also like applicants to have a teaching qualification.

Museum or Art Gallery Technician prepare artworks, specimens and artefacts for collections, and construct and arrange museum and art gallery exhibits.

ANZSCO ID: 399311

Alternative names: Museum officer

Knowledge, skills and attributes

• Patient, with a methodical approach to work
• Able to pay attention to detail
• Aptitude for design

(Source: Good Universities Guide)

Duties and Tasks

Museum officers may perform the following tasks:

• clean fossil specimens, mould and restore skeletal parts, construct skeletal mounts, re-assemble fragmented specimens and create substitute pieces
• construct models and make castings or moulds of artefacts and objects for display purposes
• mount and prepare objects for display according to conservation requirements
• design and build display cases, mounts and other exhibition presentation devices
• design, prepare and install display hardware
• receive, ship, pack and unpack exhibits
• maintain museum files
• supervise and assist other workers in the cleaning, cataloguing, labelling and storing of specimens

Working conditions

Museum officers work mainly indoors, although extensive fieldwork may be required in some areas.

Education and training/entrance requirements
    
You can work as a museum officer without formal qualifications. You will probably get some informal training on the job. Entry to this occupation may be improved if you have relevant volunteer experience or qualifications.

You may like to consider a VOC qualification in information and cultural services; library, information and cultural services; or library and information services. As subjects and prerequisites can vary between institutions, you should contact your chosen institution for further information.

You can also become a museum officer through a traineeship in Information and Cultural Services; Library, Information and Cultural Services; or Library and Information Services. Entry requirements may vary, but employers generally require Year 10.

You could also consider completing a relevant bachelor degree at university. You usually need a formal qualification in library and information services or another related field to work as a Gallery or Museum Technician. University and VET (Vocational Education and Training) are both common study pathways for Gallery and Museum Technicians.

The word “taxidermy” comes from the Greek taxis, meaning “arrangement,” and derma, “skin.” The art form as we know it today—animal skins stretched over wooden or foam forms, either in imitation of or deviation from the way the animals looked when alive—dates back to the Victorian era. At that time, scientists and explorers began preserving unusual creatures found far afield for education and research, and aristocrats started to display stuffed exotic animals in their homes to flaunt their wealth.

Taxidermists prepare skins of birds, mammals, reptiles and fish to create life-like 3-D representations for display in museums, or as trophies and memorials. The skin (including fur, feathers or scales) is removed from the specimen, preserved using various methods, and mounted on an artificial frame.

Taxidermists in museums also prepare specimens for study, research and collection purposes. They may employ the technique of skeletal assembly to demonstrate the structural and anatomical features of a specimen.

ANZSCO ID: 399311
  
Alternative names: Preparator
   
Knowledge, skills and attributes

• enjoy natural history and animal anatomy
• artistic interests such as sculpture, painting and drawing
• good observation skills
• good dexterity with tools and equipment
• woodworking or carpentry skills
• patient and careful
• attention to detail
• good hand-eye coordination
• Interest Area: Scientific Technical/Engineering Artistic/Creative

Alison Douglas with her taxidermy animals
How many Australian animals & birds can you identify?
(Source: Australian Geographic - Queensland Museum)

Duties and Tasks

Taxidermists may perform the following tasks:

• take measurements and note features of specimens before mounting
• reproduce specimens by moulding and casting with a variety of materials including plaster, polymers, plastic, fibreglass and polyurethane foam
• remove and clean skin and treat with preservatives
• place skin on a model to reproduce the exact size and shape of the specimen
• preserve and prepare skeletons through the use of chemical and non-chemical treatment
• pose small animals and preserve them by freeze-drying
• prepare native and non-native animals for special exhibits
• prepare and preserve biological material for museum displays
• collect and preserve foreground material (plant, soil and leaf litter) for creating natural environments for diorama displays
  maintain exhibits and specimens

Working conditions

Taxidermists may be employed by museums as preparators or exhibition project officers, who also create museum exhibits, including models and habitat displays.

Katrina McCormick, Taxidermist & Preparator at Australian Museum
(Source: Daily Telegraph)

Education and training/entrance requirements

No Formal Qualifications On The Job Training Year 10 Preferred Other Qualification. You can work as a taxidermist without formal qualifications. You will probably get some informal training on the job in taxidermy studios. Entry requirements may vary, but employers generally require Year 10.

Entry to this occupation may be improved if you have qualifications in animal science, art or design. It generally takes about five years to become competent.


Additional Information

In NSW, taxidermists may be required to hold a licence, depending on the type of work they are undertaking. Contact the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage for further information.

Employment Opportunities

Taxidermists are employed in government departments, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), museums, universities and smaller private commercial studios. employment opportunities are very limited within Australia, as most museums only have one position for taxidermists. Greater opportunities may exist overseas in countries that have game animals.

Did You Know? At the Australian Museum in Sydney, the first woman to gain employment was taxidemist Jane Tost in 1864. She later went on to create a popular taxidermy business with her daughter, Ada, and won various medals for her craftsmanship.

Cultural heritage officers are involved in the identification, assessment, conservation and interpretation of places and objects that have cultural heritage value.

ANZSCO ID: 272499

Knowledge, skills and attributes   

• Interest in objects, events, places and practices of the past and their significance for the present and the future

• An inquiring mind and a capacity for detailed observation and accurate research

• Good written communication skills

• Able to work independently or as part of a team

• Interest in other people and cultures

• Able to prioritise and work under time constraints       

 

Duties and Tasks

• Develop conservation policy and guidelines

• Check and administer legislation

• Compile and supply educational information on cultural heritage and conservation

• Seek and arrange funding to support heritage applications

• Identify, assess and compare the heritage value of objects, places, events and practices, and determine how they acquired their heritage value

• Provide advice on proposed projects or activities that may affect cultural heritage sites

• Provide advice about the interpretation, conservation and management of places and objects of cultural heritage significance

• Prepare thematic histories (studies based on a particular theme in history)

• Assembles historical data by consulting sources of information such as historical indexes and catalogues, archives, court records, diaries, newspaper files and other materials

• Organises, authenticates, evaluates and interprets historical, political, sociological, anthropological and linguistic data

• Undertakes historical and cultural research into human activity, and prepares and presents research findings

Working conditions

Cultural heritage officers must also develop and regularly update their knowledge of Australian history, Indigenous history and culture, urban/environmental design and one or more areas of specialisation such as prehistory, archaeology, geology, ecology, architecture, visual arts or popular culture.

Education and training/entrance requirements

To become a cultural heritage officer you usually have to complete an arts or science degree at university with a major in cultural heritage studies, history, Indigenous studies, Australian studies, anthropology or archaeology. To get into these courses you usually need to gain your Senior Secondary Certificate of Education. Prerequisite subjects, or assumed knowledge, in one or more of English and mathematics are normally required. Universities have different prerequisites and some have flexible entry requirements or offer external study.
  

Employment Opportunities

Cultural heritage officers can work as research assistants and officers, project officers, community officers, professional consultants or sub-consultants working as part of a team on a conservation project. They may work in a number of different areas, including the National Trust, heritage councils, museums, historical sites, art galleries, the minerals industry, local councils, private sector consulting organisations, the Australian and state or territory public services and the tourism industry. After completing formal education and gaining practical experience, you may be able to become self-employed as a consultant.

Did You Know? Come along on a virtual tour and contemplate what life was like for people on the Sunshine Coast 150 years ago. Bankfoot House, managed by Sunshine Coast Council, is a state heritage listed property and the oldest surviving residence in the Glass House Mountains. William and Mary Grigor established the house in 1868. Cobb & Co coaches, travelling between Brisbane and the Gympie goldfields, used the property as a lunch stop and staging post and the house was named after Mary’s village in Scotland. The property remained with the same family across three generations. The Grigor, Burgess and Ferris families occupied the house for over 130 years. The last resident of Bankfoot House, Jack Ferris, died in 2002 at the age of 101. The Caloundra City Council (as it was then known) purchased the house and contents from the Ferris family in 2004 with a commitment to establishing the property as a House Museum. (Source: Bankfoot House Virtual Tours) Inside Bankfoot House - Introduction https://youtu.be/bmZYqnqM49c Bankfoot House Kitchen https://youtu.be/pt2_GGiU1N0 If you are interested in this Queensland property and its heritage along with more videos, go to Bankfoot House Virtual Tours

Related Jobs or Working with these Jobs

Anthropologist	Archaeologist	Archivist	Artist
Cabinetmaker	Carpenter	Cleaner	Conservator
Electrician	Historian	Marketing Officer	Security Consultant
Teacher	Tourist Information Officer	Travel Agent

 

Materials sourced from
WebArchive Only CareerHQ [Museum or Art Gallery Curator; ]
CareersOnline [Museum Officers; Taxidermist; Museum Attendant; Cultural Heritage Officer]
Good Universities Guide [Education Officer; Cultural Heritage Officer; Museum Officer; ]
Target Jobs UK [Museum Education Officer; ]
Artsy
Your Career [Museum & Gallery Curator; Gallery & Museum Guide; Gallery & Museum Technician; Heritage Consultant; ]