Curator training

I. Overview

A curator is a professional staff member responsible for the operations of a museum. While the term "museum" encompasses a wide range of activities, the materials they handle cover diverse fields such as history, art, folklore, industry, and natural science. Therefore, museums include not only history, archaeology, and folklore museums and archives, but also science museums, zoos, botanical gardens, and aquariums. Museums must collect materials based on research, organize and preserve those materials, and develop educational and outreach activities centered on exhibitions. It is the curator who oversees these activities. In short, a museum curator must be both a researcher in their respective field and an expert in social education.

In order for a museum to be recognized under the Museum Law, curators are indispensable. In today's world, where lifelong learning is strongly emphasized, expectations for museums as a crucial resource are rising, and in response, there is a demand for competent curators to manage them. This is because the quality of a museum is considered to depend on the abilities of its curators. However, in reality, museums are not always able to fully embody the spirit enshrined in the Museum Law. Those aspiring to become curators need not only to meet the expectations of society but also to possess a strong desire to realize the ideal museum enshrined in the Museum Law.

To obtain a curator's license, one must either acquire the legally mandated credits at a university or receive certification from the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. This course falls under the former category, but to obtain the license through this course, one must acquire the subjects (credits) specified in accordance with the Museum Law Enforcement Regulations, and also obtain a bachelor's degree.

From fiscal year 2012, the regulations for the enforcement of the Museum Act were partially amended, and new compulsory subjects that must be taken to obtain curator qualifications were established. The new compulsory subjects include new courses and an increase in the number of credits that must be earned. The requirement to take the new compulsory subjects applies to students entering in fiscal year 2012 and earlier; it does not apply to students entering in fiscal year 2011 or earlier. However, even for students entering in fiscal year 2011 or earlier, if they graduate without obtaining all the credits for the old compulsory and elective subjects, the credits for the old compulsory subjects obtained in fiscal year 2012 or later will be invalid. Furthermore, if they wish to pursue qualifications as a non-degree student after graduation or at another university, the new compulsory subjects will apply, so caution is advised.

II. Specialized Subjects Related to Museum Curators

Department of English, Department of General Humanities, Department of History

(Applicable to students admitted in 2019 and later)

Those seeking to become museum curators must complete 12 compulsory subjects totaling 21 credits, and at least 4 elective subjects across two or more fields totaling 8 credits, for a total of 16 subjects and at least 29 credits.

III. Regarding taking the "Museum Internship" course.

1. Only those who completed preliminary registration in the previous academic year will be permitted to take this course.
2. Students must complete "Introduction to Museum Studies" and "Museum Materials Theory" by their second year to be eligible to take "Museum Internship" in their third year.
3. This course consists of on-campus practical training, field trip practical training, and facility/garden practical training, each worth one credit, and credit is awarded for each practical training session separately.
4. After the orientation for the practical training in June, please pay the training fee. This includes the cost of teaching materials for on-campus training and various expenses for the practical training in the facility. Please note that expenses for field trips will be collected separately.
5. On-campus practical training consists of weekly classes that include lectures and practical exercises.
6. The field trip involves visiting museums in various locations, observing their operations, and receiving instruction. A guidance session regarding the implementation method will be held in early July.
7. Museum and garden internships involve spending about a week at a museum or equivalent facility based on the Museum Law, gaining practical experience as a curator.
   Please note that there is a limit to the number of people we can accept, so we may not be able to accommodate everyone's requests.

IV. Regarding the Curator Qualification Certificate

Those who apply for and register for the qualification at the beginning of the academic year and acquire the required credits will be issued a certificate of completion for curator qualification on the day of the graduation ceremony.

V. Consultation and administrative procedures regarding curators

Administrative matters concerning students will be handled by the qualifications officer at Tsuchitoi Campus Academic Affairs Office, and various announcements will be posted on the qualifications bulletin board.

VI. Annual Schedule for the Curator Training Program

*Please note that the above schedule may change, so check the qualification-related bulletin board at your campus.