Curators in large, heavily endowed museums may travel extensively to evaluate potential additions to the collection and to organize exhibitions. Those in museums with very limited budgets may travel only occasionally. Employment Archivists and curators held about 17,000 jobs in 1990. About 1 in 3 worked in Federal, State and local government. Most Federal Government curators work at the Smithsonian Institution, in the military museums of the Department of Defense, and in archaeological and other museums managed by the Department of Interior.
All State governments have archival or historical records sections employing archivists.
State and local governments have numerous historical museums, parks, and zoos employing curators. Some large corporations have archival or records centers, employing archivists to manage the growing volume of historical records required by law or necessary to the firms operations. Religious and fraternal organizations, professional associations, and research firms also employ a few archivists and curators. Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement Employment as an archivist or curator generally requires graduate training and substantial practical or work experience. Many archivists and curators work in archives or museums while completing their formal education.