How to become a library, archive, museum and art gallery manager
Official title: Library, archive, museum and art gallery managers
Also called: Library chief, Archives chief, Museum manager, Museum director, Archives manager, Library director, Archives director, Arts administrator, Museum coordinator, Art gallery manager, Art gallery director, Museum administrator
Library, archive, museum and art gallery managers plan, organize, direct, control and evaluate the activities of libraries, archives, museums, art galleries or departments within such institutions. They are employed in libraries, archives, museums and non-retail art galleries.
Main tasks
- Plan, organize, direct, control and evaluate the activities of a library or library system, archive or archive system, museum or art gallery or a technical department within such an institution
- Develop and administer policies and programs
- Prepare and administer budgets
- Develop, promote and implement public relations and promotional programs
- Prepare funding and grant applications and proposals
- Prepare operational and financial reports, analyses and recommendations
- Recruit and provide training for professional, technical and clerical staff
- May perform the duties of a librarian, archivist or curator in smaller institutions
How to become one
Library managers A graduate degree in library and information science and Several years of experience as a librarian, including supervisory experience are required. Archive managers A graduate degree in archival science or history and Several years of experience as an archivist or in historical research, including supervisory experience are required. Museum and art gallery managers A graduate degree related to a particular collection or a training program in arts administration and Several years of experience as a curator, conservator or artist or experience in other related museum and art gallery work are usually required.
Ways in
- University: Science degrees, Offered by 16 universities in Canada
- University: Arts & Humanities degrees, Offered by 18 universities in Canada
Pay · Outlook
- Median pay: $87,750 a year The middle half earn $60,938 to $109,532.
- About 3,300 people worked in this job in 2023, and about 3,600 are projected by 2033. (+9.1%)
- Projected labour market to 2033: balance.
Related jobs
- Managers - publishing, motion pictures, broadcasting and performing arts
- Recreation, sports and fitness program and service directors
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Questions people ask
How do I become a library, archive, museum and art gallery manager?
Library managers A graduate degree in library and information science and Several years of experience as a librarian, including supervisory experience are required. Archive managers A graduate degree in archival science or history and Several years of experience as an archivist or in historical research, including supervisory experience are required. Museum and art gallery managers A graduate degree related to a particular collection or a training program in arts administration and Several years of experience as a curator, conservator or artist or experience in other related museum and art gallery work are usually required.
How much does a library, archive, museum and art gallery manager earn in Canada?
Median full-time pay is $87,750 a year (Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank)). The middle half earn $60,938 to $109,532.
Is a library, archive, museum and art gallery manager a growing career in Canada?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 9% by 2033, from about 3,300 to about 3,600 people (Employment and Social Development Canada).
Do you need a degree to become a library, archive, museum and art gallery manager?
Usually. 76% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Sources
- Statistics Canada: Census 2021: employment by occupation, gender and education (98-10-0449) (2021 Census), Statistics Canada Open Licence, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Statistics Canada: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 (Version 1.0), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada: Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) (2024 to 2033), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank): Wages by occupation (2025 (revised 2025-11-19)), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03