How to Be Museum Consultant - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Feb 25, 2021 / 6 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

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The pandemic has had a devastating impact on the museum industry, causing a dramatic decrease in attendance and revenue. This has caused many museums to reduce their staff, suspend public programming, and close collections for research. Consequently, museums have been forced to look for new ways to stay afloat and generate revenue.

One option is to engage a museum consultant, who can help create strategies for marketing, fundraising, and visitor experience. A consultant can also provide guidance on financial planning and operations, as well as advice on the development of new programming and exhibitions. engaging a museum consultant can help museums increase their chances of survival in these challenging times.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a Bachelor's Degree. To become a museum consultant, you will need to have at least a bachelor's degree in a related field such as art history, museum studies, or history.
Gain Experience. You will need to gain experience in the museum field before becoming a museum consultant. You could gain experience by working in a museum as a curator, archivist, or educational specialist. You could also gain experience by volunteering or interning at museums and gaining valuable insight into the industry.
Build Your Professional Network. Building relationships with professionals in the museum industry is essential to becoming a successful museum consultant. Attend industry conferences, join professional organizations, and network with other professionals in order to build your contacts and make yourself known as an expert.
Develop Your Skills and Expertise. You will need to have expertise in certain areas in order to be successful as a museum consultant. Develop your skills in areas such as project management, fundraising, marketing, and public relations.
Get Certified. Consider getting certified as a museum consultant. The American Association of Museums offers a certification program that can help you demonstrate your expertise and credibility in the field.
Market Yourself. Once you have gained the necessary qualifications, it's time to start marketing yourself as a museum consultant. Use social media such as LinkedIn and Twitter to connect with potential clients, create a website with all of your credentials, and reach out to museums and other organizations in need of consulting services.

Regularly participating in educational opportunities and staying abreast of best practices and current trends is essential for museum consultants to maintain their qualifications. One way to do this is by attending conferences and workshops, as these provide an excellent opportunity to learn from experts in the field, network with other professionals, and share insights and ideas. keeping up to date with recent developments in the museum industry is important.

Reading museum-related publications, such as journals and online blogs, can help provide a better understanding of the current state of the field and the challenges faced by museums. Finally, engaging in professional development activities and obtaining certifications can also prove beneficial in ensuring that consultants are up-to-date with their professional qualifications.

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Job Description

Museum Curator: Responsible for researching, collecting, and organizing museum artifacts; creating displays and exhibitions; managing the museums collections; and conducting research for educational programs.
Museum Educator: Responsible for developing educational programs and materials; providing tours and lectures; and creating interactive activities for visitors.
Museum Registrar: Responsible for tracking and maintaining the museums records and documents; cataloging acquisitions; and ensuring that the objects in the collections are properly cared for.
Museum Conservator: Responsible for preserving and restoring museum artifacts; conducting research on preservation techniques; and providing advice to the museum staff on the proper care and handling of objects.
Museum Exhibition Designer: Responsible for designing and creating museum exhibitions; working with curators, conservators, and educators to produce captivating displays; and using multimedia technologies to enhance visitor experiences.
Museum Administrator: Responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the museum; managing staff and volunteers; creating budgets; and developing policies and procedures.
Museum Fundraiser: Responsible for raising money to support the museums mission through various fundraising events and initiatives; cultivating relationships with donors; and writing grants.
Museum Consultant: Responsible for providing specialized expertise to the museum staff; advising on a wide range of topics, including museum operations, collection management, exhibition design, education programming, and fundraising.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Strategic Planning: Ability to analyze and develop plans for the museum to reach its goals.
Financial Management: Understanding of financial management principles and ability to create and manage budgets.
Fundraising: Knowledge of fundraising methods and techniques, as well as familiarity with grant writing, event planning, and donor cultivation.
Public Relations & Marketing: Familiarity with public relations, media relations, and marketing techniques, as well as social media platforms.
Knowledge of Museum Practices & Standards: Understanding of museum-related laws and guidelines, as well as familiarity with museum practices and standards.
Technology: Proficiency in computer systems and software programs that are used in museums.
Project Management: Experience in leading projects, ensuring deadlines are met, and managing resources efficiently.
Research & Analysis: Ability to conduct research and analyze data to support decision making.
Communication & Interpersonal Skills: Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills to work with museum staff, volunteers, and other stakeholders.
Creative Thinking: Capacity to think outside of the box and generate innovative ideas to improve museum operations.

Having a successful career as a Museum Consultant requires strong problem-solving skills, creativity, and the ability to interpret and communicate complex information effectively. An effective consultant should be able to evaluate a museums current situation, identify challenges, and develop creative solutions to address those challenges. They should have excellent research and communication skills, enabling them to review existing policies, analyze data and inform stakeholders of the findings.

they should have a deep understanding of the museum industry, culture, and practices, allowing them to provide meaningful guidance to museum staff. With a thorough knowledge of the museum's mission and goals, they should be able to develop strategies that maximize the impact of the museum's programs and services. the success of a Museum Consultant is determined by their ability to effectively navigate the complexities of the museum field and come up with innovative solutions that meet the museums needs.

Historical Preservation Lawyer, Cultural Resource Administrator, and Historical Re-enactor are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in the museum consulting field?
What is your process for developing and implementing a successful museum project?
How do you stay up to date on the latest trends in the museum consulting industry?
How have you helped clients solve their challenges related to a museum project?
What do you believe are the most important elements of a successful museum project?
How do you go about evaluating a museums current state of affairs and making recommendations for improvement?
What challenges have you faced in the past when implementing a museum project?
What strategies do you use to ensure that museum projects are completed within budget and on schedule?
What methods do you use to ensure that the end product meets or exceeds the clients expectations?
How do you manage multiple museum projects at once while maintaining quality and accuracy?

Common Tools in Industry

Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Software. This software helps manage customer relationships and interactions with potential customers. Example: Salesforce.
Digital Asset Management (DAM) Software. This software helps organize, store and share digital assets, such as images and videos. Example: Adobe Experience Manager.
Quality Assurance (QA) Tools. This software helps test applications and websites for bugs and errors before they are released. Example: Selenium.
Content Management System (CMS). This software is used to create and manage websites and digital content. Example: WordPress.
Project Management Software. This software helps manage timelines, tasks and resources for projects. Example: Asana.
Online Ticketing System. This software helps manage museum ticket sales and access to events. Example: Ticketmaster.
Analytics Platforms. This software helps track and analyze website traffic, visitor behavior and other data. Example: Google Analytics.
Digital Signage Software. This software helps create interactive digital displays for museums. Example: Four Winds Interactive.

Professional Organizations to Know

American Alliance of Museums
Association of Science-Technology Centers
International Council of Museums
The American Association for State and Local History
Institute of Museum and Library Services
National Association for Museum Exhibition
International Council on Monuments and Sites
International Committee for Documentation and Conservation of Cultural Property
International Council of Museums Canada
International Council of Monuments and Sites USA
Association of Art Museum Directors
Association of Academic Museums and Galleries
International Association for the Study of Traditional Environments
Society of American Archivists
Museum Computer Network
American Association for Public Art
International Committee for Documentation and Conservation of Cultural Property (ICOM-CC)
International Council on Monuments and Sites North America (ICOMOS-NA)
International Association of Museum Facility Administrators (IAMFA)
National Alliance of Preservation Commissions

We also have Historical Linguist, Historical Preservation Consultant, and Cultural Resource Specialist jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Collection Management. The practice of determining, maintaining, and developing the holdings of a museum.
Exhibition Design. The art of creating displays and installations for museum exhibitions.
Conservation. The practice of preserving and protecting cultural artifacts from deterioration, damage, and destruction.
Interpretation. The process of providing an understanding of a museum object or collection by using context and analysis.
Documentation. The systematic gathering, organizing, and recording of information about museum objects, collections, and exhibitions.
Education. The practice of teaching museum visitors about the history and significance of museum objects and collections.
Research. The process of studying museum objects in order to provide greater understanding and appreciation of them.
Interpretive Planning. The process of developing and guiding the research, design, implementation, and evaluation of an interpretive program for a museum.
Audience Development. The practice of creating programs and activities that engage target audiences with the museums collection and mission.
Fundraising. The process of raising money for the museum through donations, grants, sponsorships, and other methods.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Museum Consultant?

A Museum Consultant is a professional who has expertise in museum operations, management, and planning. They provide advice and guidance on a variety of topics including strategic planning, exhibition design, fundraising, programming, and marketing.

What qualifications are needed to become a Museum Consultant?

To become a Museum Consultant, individuals should possess a master's degree in museum studies, history, or related fields. Additionally, experience in the museum field such as working at a museum or in a similar capacity as a curator is beneficial.

What services do Museum Consultants provide?

Museum Consultants provide services such as conducting research and analysis of existing museum programs and operations, developing plans for the future direction of the museum, creating marketing strategies, and providing guidance on exhibition design.

How much does a Museum Consultant typically cost?

The cost of a Museum Consultant can vary significantly depending on the scope of the project. Generally, fees range from $100 - $200 per hour, with some consultants charging a flat fee for a specific project.

What is the estimated length of a Museum Consultant project?

The length of a Museum Consultant project depends on the size and complexity of the project. For example, a small-scale project may only take a few weeks to complete while a large-scale project may take several months or more.