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Museum Attendant

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Museum Attendant

Museum Attendant Career Details

A museum or art gallery attendant patrols the public areas of the site, checking on security and making sure the collections are in good order.

An important part of the job is dealing with visitors and answering queries. Attendants may also work in the cloakroom, dealing with visitors’ coats and bags, or in the reception area, welcoming groups and selling catalogues and souvenirs.

Attendants assist curators and other senior staff in moving and changing displays and exhibitions.

In a smaller museum or gallery museum attendants are likely to have some clerical, paperwork, sales, technical or cleaning duties.

Working Environment

Museum or gallery attendants tend to work 37 hours a week on a rota which includes weekend opening hours. Part-time work may be available.

The work is usually indoors, in warm and light conditions. It may involve standing and walking for long periods.

It may be necessary to wear a uniform, especially in a larger museum or gallery.

Museum Attendant Related Skills

As a museum attendant you should:
  • be able to communicate well with visitors and colleagues
  • be responsible and aware of security issues
  • be able to remain alert over long periods of time
  • be able to react quickly in an emergency
  • be observant, keeping an eye on the collection and the visitors
  • have an interest in the museum or gallery.

Museum Attendant Career Opportunities

The main employers are national museums and galleries which are usually in cities, local authority museums and galleries, university museums and independent museums.

There is a great deal of competition for vacancies, despite the low pay and weekend working. At the moment, very few attendants go on to become managers.

Further Career Information

If you would like to know more about a career as an Museum Attendant related facts, statistics, articles and websites.

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