A popular hobby is art collection, except for curators, who usually take it more serious. Art collection is then their field of expertise. Curators manage museums, libraries, archives, and galleries. Their responsibility is to take care of the collections in their particular institution, and maintaining the catalogs on the collections with the assistance of the specialist of publications. Curators always work with objects that are tangible such as fine art collections for public and private showings. The curators are interested in collecting all types of artwork, from modern works of less known artists to the historical and traditional works of art. Curators many times specialize in a particular area although there are ones that due cover a variety of art too. Many times they work for a museum that is focused on a specific area. This may control what work the curator has to do.



A curator could be solely in charge of purchasing and the caring of the art collections in smaller institutions or galleries. He (or she) not only chooses what art to collect but also oversees like their care and documentation; also he (or she) has to research the items that are collected. If the items need to be taken from point A to point B as in shipping the curator makes sure that they placed in the correct type of containers. The scholarly community often times receives information from the curators just as the public may. The use of publications including journals and the art exhibitions helps the curator do this task.

Usually at a small gallery or museum the only paid member of the staff it has is the curator. The larger establishments have curators that specialize in a given area of art. Part of a curator's job description is usually to research and chart a course for the art collection of the establishment and this includes activities. The larger establishments have several curators with each one specializing in their own topic, and they al wok under the supervision of a head curator. In these situations other employees may be in charge of the care of the collection of art, and also someone else works the administration decisions too.

Curators usually have gone through some kind of advanced education; many hold a high degree academically in art or another subject that is related. Some may hold a doctorate even. The curator, along with having an advanced degree, should make some contribution to their field of academic expertise through either articles or conference presentations. This field also requires practical knowledge. Curators have to keep themselves informed about the current trends and climate as far as art collecting, in addition to the ethical issues and laws that might have an affect on the art collection the curator oversees.

Wall art that is 2 dimensional, such as paintings or drawings, is the art most commonly collected by curators. But sculpture type art is also common. Some other types of art that the curator may collect includes such categories as 3 dimensional wall art, prints, and performances that have been recorded. The whole collection is not always shown at the same time. Usually a part of the collection is shown while the rest is kept in an area for storage. Most art showings are based on a theme with all the pieces relating to that theme.