curator

[kyoo-rey-ter, kyoor-ey-, kyoor-uh-ter]

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.

curator

/ 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

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of curator¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of curator¹

C14: from Latin: one who cares, from cūrāre to care for, from cūra care

Example Sentences

She went to see him at what’s now the National Museum of Kenya, where he was curator.

From Los Angeles Times

The artist "primarily works with photography and their work talks about identity, society and a sense of belonging", exhibition curator Jill Iredale says.

From BBC

One important facet the curators wanted to honor in the exhibit is all of the past and present members of GWAR.

From Los Angeles Times

The director’s move to the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago did not sting nearly so much as the news that the curator was going to the Museum of Contemporary Art in L.A..

From Los Angeles Times

"When this building was created, it was designed as a working bank building. There were people coming and going all day," explains the Bank of England Museum's curator, Jenni Adam.

From BBC

Related Words

• administrator 
• conservator 
• custodian 
• director 
• manager