Collection Manager Legal, Social & Cultural Professionals
SaveWhat 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.
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Where Do I Start?
Museum Databases
The tools and processes involved in working with museum databases.
Sign up to trackReady to go deeper? Pick up to 3 skills to focus on from the list below.
These are common skills for this role. Real-world experience matters more than ticking every box — use this as a guide, not a checklist.
Skills You Need to Become a Collection Manager
Essential Skills
Essential Skills
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EssentialMuseum Databases knowledge
The tools and processes involved in working with museum databases.
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EssentialCollection Management Software knowledge
Be familiar with specialised collection management software used to document and keep record of the museum collection.
Recommended Books
1 book -
EssentialArt History knowledge
The history of art and artists, the artistic trends throughout centuries and their contemporary evolutions.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialConservation Techniques knowledge
The procedures, instruments, techniques, materials and chemicals used in conservation and archiving.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialCommunicate In English In A Competent Way language skill
Competent use of English; R351refers to level C1 in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialInteract With An Audience skill
Convey the artistic values of the art form(s). Respond to the reactions of your audience and involve them.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialAdvise On Loans Of Art Work For Exhibitions skill
Working together with curators and museum collection managers, a registrar evaluates the condition of art objects for exhibition or loan purposes. The registrar also decides whether or not an artwork …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialAssess Object Condition skill
Work together with the collection manager or restorer, to evaluate and document the condition of a museum object for a loan or an exhibition.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialCompile Detailed Collection Inventory skill
Compile a detailed inventory of all items in the collection.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialCope With Challenging Demands skill
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialCreate Collection Conservation Plan skill
Create a comprehensive, high-level overview conservation plan for the collection.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialDocument Museum Collection skill
Registrars are concerned with documentation and record keeping of museum collections. Documentation includes information about an object's condition, provenance, materials, and all of its movements within the museum or out …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialEstablish High Standards Of Collections Care skill
Establish and maintain high quality standards in collection care, from acquisition to conservation and display.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialHandle Art skill
Work 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.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialImplement Risk Management For Works Of Art skill
A registrar determines risk factors to an art collection and mitigates them. Risk factors for artworks include vandalism, theft, pests, emergencies, and natural disasters. It is the responsibility of a …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialMonitor Museum Environment skill
Monitor and document environmental conditions in a museum, in storage as well as exhibition facilities. Make sure an adapted and stable climate is guaranteed.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialProvide Project Information On Exhibitions skill
Provide information on the preparation, execution and evaluation of exhibitions and other artistic projects.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialRespect Cultural Differences In The Field Of Exhibition skill
Respect cultural differences when creating artistic concepts and exhibitions. Collaborate with international artists, curators, museums and sponsors.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialSupervise Artefact Movement skill
Supervise any movement of museum artefacts and ensure their security.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialUse ICT Recources To Solve Work Related Tasks skill
Ability to choose and use ICT recources in order to solve related tasks
Course recommendations coming soon.
Optional Skills (5 of 8 displayed)
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OptionalArt-historical Values knowledge
The historical and artistic values implied in examples of one's branch of art.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalCoach Employees skill
Maintain 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 employees and assist …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalCoordinate Operational Activities skill
Synchronise 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.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalEvaluate Art Quality skill
Correctly evaluate the quality of art objects, artefacts, photographs and documents.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalManage Budgets skill
Plan, monitor and report on the budget.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalPresent Exhibition skill
Present an exhibition and give educational lectures in a comprehensible way that is attractive to the public.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalTrain Employees skill
Lead 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 …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalContribute To Specialised Publications skill
Write or redact contributions for a specialised publication in your field.
Course recommendations coming soon.