Public Administration & LegalISCO 2621
Cultural archive manager
Cultural archive managers ensure the care and preservation of a cultural institution and the archives within. They ensure the management and development of the institution’s assets and collections, including the digitisation of the archive collections.
Check yourself in a minute: cultural archive manager
Rate 5 of the 19 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
create collection conservation plan
manage budgets
manage staff
supervise artefact movement
monitor artistic activities
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (19)
art collectionsart collectionsThe variety of paintings, sculptures, prints, drawings and other works that form collections in a museum and prospective new collections which are of interest for a museum or art gallery.conservation techniquesconservation techniquesThe procedures, instruments, techniques, materials and chemicals used in conservation and archiving.collection managementcollection managementThe process of resource evaluation, selection and life-cycle planning to create and promote a coherent collection in line with the developing needs of the users or customers. Understanding legal depos...project managementproject managementThe discipline of project management, the activities which comprise this area and the variables implied in it, such as time, resources, requirements, deadlines, and responding to unexpected events.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.manage budgetsmanage budgetsPlan, monitor, report on the budget and prepare set production budgets.manage staffmanage staffManage employees and subordinates, working in a team or individually, to maximise their performance and contribution. Schedule their work and activities, give instructions, motivate and direct the wor...supervise artefact movementsupervise artefact movementOversee the transport and relocation of museum artefacts and ensure their security.monitor artistic activitiesmonitor artistic activitiesMonitor all the activities of an artistic organisation.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...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.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.perform clerical dutiesperform clerical dutiesPerform administrative tasks such as filing, typing up reports and maintaining mail correspondence.supervise worksupervise workDirect and supervise the day-to-day activities of subordinate personnel.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...
Optional (14) — show
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.budgetary principlesbudgetary principlesPrinciples of estimating and planning of forecasts for business activity, compile regular budget and reports.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...compile detailed collection inventorycompile detailed collection inventoryCompile a detailed inventory of all items in the collection.provide project information on exhibitionsprovide project information on exhibitionsProvide information on the preparation, execution and evaluation of exhibitions and other artistic projects.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.identify process improvementsidentify process improvementsIdentify possible improvements to operational and financial performance, in order to increase productivity, efficiency, quality, and streamline procedures.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.manage archivemanage archiveSupervise others to ensure that documents, files, and objects are correctly labelled, stored, and preserved according to archive standards and regulations.evaluate art qualityevaluate art qualityCorrectly evaluate the quality of art objects, artefacts, photographs and documents.study a collectionstudy a collectionResearch and trace the origins and the historical significance of collections and archive content.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.
Related Occupations
Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.
collection manager11 shared essential skillsexhibition registrar8 shared essential skillsmuseum director8 shared essential skillslibrary manager5 shared essential skillsresearch manager5 shared essential skillsartistic director4 shared essential skillsexhibition curator4 shared essential skillsmuseum scientist4 shared essential skills
Frequently asked questions
What does a cultural archive manager do?
Cultural archive managers ensure the care and preservation of a cultural institution and the archives within. They ensure the management and development of the institution’s assets and collections, including the digitisation of the archive collections.
What skills does a cultural archive manager need?
A cultural archive manager needs 19 essential skills, including art collections, conservation techniques, collection management, project management, museum databases.
Will AI replace cultural archive manager jobs?
The AI disruption score for cultural archive manager is 28/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: perform clerical duties, collection management software, manage archive. Most resilient: cope with challenging demands, handle artworks, respect cultural differences in the field of exhibition.
AI Replacement Risk
28/ 100
Low Risk
Low riskHigh risk
Quick Facts
ISCO GroupLegal, social and cultural professionals
Essential Skills19
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