Kaarina Shagwanepandulo Efraim

Curator for Archaeology | National Musuem of Namibia

Nationality:

Namibian

Qualifications

MA in Archaeology (University of Pretoria)

Post-Grad Diploma Secondary Education (IUM)

BA Hons. History and Sociology (UNAM)

Affiliations

ICOM Namibia

ASAPA

1. Describe the role of a curator

As a curator in an archaeological collection, I play a vital role in managing, preserving, and interpreting artefacts to ensure their long-term protection and accessibility for research, education, and public engagement. One of my primary responsibilities is collection management, which involves cataloguing and maintaining an inventory of artefacts. This includes recording essential details such as provenance, material composition, and historical significance. A well-organised collection ensures that artefacts can be easily located, studied, and utilised for various purposes, including exhibitions and research projects.

Conservation and preservation are also key aspects of a curator's work. Artefacts, especially those made from organic materials like wood, textiles, and bone, are highly susceptible to environmental factors such as humidity, temperature fluctuations, and exposure to light. As a curator, I must implement proper storage methods, such as climate-controlled environments and specialised archival materials to prevent deterioration. Additionally, I collaborate with conservators to develop restoration strategies when artefacts show signs of damage or degradation.

Beyond physical preservation, I am deeply involved in research and interpretation of the collection. I conduct studies or facilitate research by external scholars, archaeologists, and students. This research helps contextualise artefacts, providing deeper insights into the cultures, technologies, and historical events they represent. Interpretation extends beyond academia; we curators often translate complex archaeological findings into accessible narratives for exhibitions, educational programs, and publications.

Another critical function is curating exhibitions and engaging with the public. Museums and research institutions rely on us to design compelling displays that highlight the significance of artefacts while making them engaging for diverse audiences. This involves not only selecting objects but also developing interpretive materials such as labels, multimedia guides, and interactive elements. As a curator, I also lead public lectures, school outreach programs, and guided tours to enhance visitor experiences. A curator serves as a bridge between the past and the present, ensuring that archaeological collections remain valuable resources for future generations.

2. What skills are important for success as a curator in museums or collections?

Taking on a responsibility and managing a collection in a museum, like in my case overseeing the archaeology collection, first and foremost, one has to be well versed in written and oral skills. Curation requires daily responses to emails and calls. Curation requires a curator to take the public through their collections or research. This skill also assists in writing a newspaper column about a particular archaeological object or co-authoring a paper with local or international researchers.

Research skills are also important in this line of work. To understand the importance and the context of the research area/fieldwork area or objects in the collection, it is my responsibility as a curator to be able to do research. Being able to do research, amounts to authentic information, that makes future research and documentation easy.

A curator who is well versed in collection management ensures that the collection, tasks, and any other activity related to the collection are well managed. Problem-solving skills are important to a curator. I can’t count how many times I am faced with challenges, be it during fieldwork season, accounting for funding issues, or daily admin work in the office. However, being present, practicing a positive mind, and taking every day as a test, assist me in overcoming many challenges. In addition, I have a great team that works well together to find solutions. Technology keeps evolving, and these skills are important, especially when everything seems to be moving online. Be it meetings, workshops, conferences, or managing a collection, in which case databases are the force right now. In the archaeology collection, we have an ongoing Excel database that has made documentation and tracing back easier.

To conclude, interpersonal skills also play a huge role as a curator for a collection. One is not only dealing with objects daily but with people who have real feelings. And to be a good leader, it’s important to sacrifice yourself sometimes and be a bigger person.

I attend conflicts and work on resolving them. This skill is also important in building lasting relationships with colleagues and researchers. I find myself working with a diverse group, be it national or international, and these projects tend to surpass expectations and last for years, which requires one to be on good terms.

Learn to communicate, build a meaningful relationship, speak up, and solve a problem.

3. What qualifications or experience are often required for curatorial roles?

Honours in History, Heritage, Archaeology, Anthropology, Museology, and related fields
Postgraduate in Heritage and Conservation Management
Masters in History, Heritage, Archaeology, Anthropology, Museology, and other related fields
Experience required is often in History, Heritage, Archaeology, Anthropology, Museology, and related fields with at least five years of working experience.

4. What is a rewarding or unique aspect of working as a curator?

Working as a curator in general is a profoundly rewarding career that uniquely blends intellectual inquiry, creative expression, and cultural stewardship. Curators have a significant impact on communities by transforming the way art and history are perceived and appreciated on a local and global scale.

I love my job as a curator for the archaeology collection because of the opportunities I get.

Being a curator for any collection comes with different opportunities and career growth.

Personally, being a curator for archaeology has helped me both in my personal growth and career development. As a curator, one gets to meet, work, and socialise with people both in the field of Archaeology and the close disciplines (fostering interdisciplinary collaboration). Through this line of work, I find myself travelling to destinations I have never thought I would find myself.

Community engagement and education are also two of the rewarding aspects of being a curator of archaeology.

I enjoy giving tours in the collection, doing community outreach and engagements, attending to research queries, and forming part of research teams that are exciting and interesting. As a curator, I get to experience both worlds—fieldwork and office-based. When it comes to personal and career growth, a curator can pursue their passion further through studying further, for example, a master's programme or a PhD programme.

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