curator

American  

[kyoo-rey-ter, kyoor-ey-, kyoor-uh-ter] / kyʊˈreɪ tər, ˈkyʊər eɪ-, ˈkyʊər ə tər /

noun

1. the person in charge of a museum, art collection, etc.

2. a person who selects content for presentation, as on a website.

3. a manager; superintendent.

4. Law. a guardian of a minor or any other person who is unable to care for their own affairs, especially with regard to their property.

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curator British  

/ ˌkjʊərəˈtɔːrɪəl, kjʊəˈreɪtə /

noun

1. the administrative head of a museum, art gallery, or similar institution

2. law a guardian of a minor, mentally ill person, etc

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Other Word Forms

• curatorial adjective
• curatorship noun
• subcurator noun
• subcuratorial adjective
• subcuratorship noun

Etymology

Origin of curator

First recorded in 1325–75; from Latin, equivalent to cūrā(re) “to care for, attend to” ( cure ) + -tor -tor

Example Sentences

Alicia Foster, curator, art historian and novelist, said of John: "Right from being very young she had this idea she would be a great artist and that nothing would stop her."

From BBC

"There was a very structured 50-year-long reflection on themes that may seem light, but are in fact about our Western world, about the dysfunctions of our Western world," curator Quentin Bajac told AFP.

From Barron's

The works in Washington, all from the collection of the National Gallery of Victoria, were selected by Myles Russell-Cook, director of the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art and formerly senior curator at the NGV.

From The Wall Street Journal

This includes an emphasis on more artist-powered videos, continuing to promote artists’ live shows on the platform and expanding the role of the company’s music curators.

From Los Angeles Times

Upcoming programming includes a conversation with the legendary performance artist Barbara T. Smith, and a panel led by a Ukrainian curator on war photography.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• administrator
• conservator
• custodian
• director
• manager