Nestorbot
Public Administration & LegalISCO 2621

Collection manager

A collection manager is a person who provides the care and protection of the objects held by a cultural institution such as a museum, a library or an archive.

Take the free testCheck yourself in a minute ↓AI risk: 27/100 (low risk)

Check yourself in a minute: collection manager

Rate 5 of the 20 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

create collection conservation plan

compile detailed collection inventory

supervise artefact movement

establish high standards of collections care

implement risk management for works of art

About collection manager

The collection is managed as a body of objects with a location, a condition and a history. The manager carries out detailed inventories of the collection, documents the museum collection in collection management software, and assesses the condition of museum exhibits, so that deterioration is noticed in time. Conditions in the museum are monitored: temperature, humidity, light and pests.

The manager develops high standards of collection care, writes them down and makes sure they apply across all departments.

The manager advises on lending artworks for exhibitions, which means judging whether an object can travel at all, what it needs in transit and what the borrowing institution must guarantee. Collection managers work alongside art curators and conservators, and the division matters: a curator decides how a collection is interpreted and what is shown, a conservator treats an object, and the collection manager answers for where everything is and what state it is in. These judgements draw on knowledge of art history.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (20)

conservation techniquesconservation techniquesThe procedures, instruments, techniques, materials and chemicals used in conservation and archiving.collection management softwarecollection management softwareBe familiar with specialised collection management software used to document and keep record of the museum collection.art historyart historyThe history of art and artists, the artistic trends throughout centuries and their contemporary evolutions.digitizationdigitizationThe process of transforming an object from its analogical form to a digital format. It creates a digital representation of the object without making in-kind changes to it.museum databasesmuseum databasesThe tools and processes involved in working with museum databases.create collection conservation plancreate collection conservation planCreate a comprehensive, high-level overview conservation plan for the collection.compile detailed collection inventorycompile detailed collection inventoryCompile a detailed inventory of all items in the collection.supervise artefact movementsupervise artefact movementOversee the transport and relocation of museum artefacts and ensure their security.establish high standards of collections careestablish high standards of collections careEstablish and maintain high quality standards in collection care, from acquisition to conservation and display.implement risk management for works of artimplement risk management for works of artDetermine risk factors in art collections and mitigate them. Risk factors for artworks include vandalism, theft, pests, emergencies, and natural disasters. Develop and implement strategies to minimise...provide project information on exhibitionsprovide project information on exhibitionsProvide information on the preparation, execution and evaluation of exhibitions and other artistic projects.use ICT resources to solve work related tasksuse ICT resources to solve work related tasksChoose and use ICT resources in order to solve related tasks.monitor museum environmentmonitor museum environmentMonitor and document environmental conditions in a museum, in storage as well as exhibition facilities. Make sure an adapted and stable climate is guaranteed.assess museum object conditionassess museum object conditionWork together with the collection manager or restorer, to evaluate and document the condition of a museum object for a loan or an exhibition.advise on loans of art work for exhibitionsadvise on loans of art work for exhibitionsEvaluate the condition of art objects for exhibition or loan purposes and decide whether an artwork is able to withstand the stresses of travel or exposition.respect cultural differences in the field of exhibitionrespect cultural differences in the field of exhibitionRespect cultural differences when creating artistic concepts and exhibitions. Collaborate with international artists, curators, museums and sponsors.interact with an audienceinteract with an audienceRespond to the reactions of an audience and involve them in the particular performance or communication.document museum collectiondocument museum collectionRecord information about an object's condition, provenance, materials, and all of its movements within the museum or out on loan.cope with challenging demandscope with challenging demandsMaintain a positive attitude towards new and challenging demands such as interaction with artists and handling of artistic artefacts. Work under pressure such as dealing with last moment changes in ti...handle artworkshandle artworksWork directly with objects in museums and art galleries, in coordination with other museum professionals, to ensure that artworks are safely handled, packed, stored and cared for.
Optional (10) — show
art-historical valuesart-historical valuesThe historical and artistic values implied in examples of one's branch of art.museologymuseologyThe study of the evolution of museums within societies overtime. It includes also the activities that museums carry out such as curation, preservation and public programming.coach employeescoach employeesMaintain and improve employees' performance by coaching individuals or groups how to optimise specific methods, skills or abilities, using adapted coaching styles and methods. Tutor newly recruited em...manage budgetsmanage budgetsPlan, monitor, report on the budget and prepare set production budgets.arrange interlibrary loansarrange interlibrary loansArrange interlibrary exchange of materials that are not available in a particular library.coordinate operational activitiescoordinate operational activitiesSynchronise activities and responsibilities of the operational staff to ensure that the resources of an organisation are used most efficiently in pursuit of the specified objectives.present exhibitionpresent exhibitionPresent an exhibition and give educational lectures in a comprehensible way that is attractive to the public.evaluate art qualityevaluate art qualityCorrectly evaluate the quality of art objects, artefacts, photographs and documents.train employeestrain employeesLead and guide employees through a process in which they are taught the necessary skills for the perspective job. Organise activities aimed at introducing the work and systems or improving the perform...contribute to specialised publicationscontribute to specialised publicationsWrite or redact contributions for a specialised publication in your field.

Related Occupations

Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.

cultural archive manager11 shared essential skillsexhibition registrar11 shared essential skillsmuseum director7 shared essential skillsexhibition curator6 shared essential skillsconservator5 shared essential skillsmuseum scientist5 shared essential skillsart handler3 shared essential skillsartistic director3 shared essential skills

Frequently asked questions

What does a collection manager do?

Collection managers ensure the care and preservation of objects within cultural institutions, like museums, libraries, and archives. Collection managers, along with exhibition curators, and conservators, play a very important role in collections care. They can be found in most large museums.

What skills does a collection manager need?

A collection manager needs 20 essential skills, including conservation techniques, collection management software, art history, digitization, museum databases.

Will AI replace collection manager jobs?

The AI disruption score for collection manager is 27/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: collection management software, compile detailed collection inventory, digitization. Most resilient: interact with an audience, cope with challenging demands, handle artworks.

Quick Facts

SectorPublic Administration & Legal
ISCO GroupLegal, social and cultural professionals
Essential Skills20

Is collection manager right for you?

Take the free 10-minute Career Portrait to see which career direction fits your motivations and strengths.

Take the free test