Museums around the world often have a surprising number of staff. In Japanese art museums, staff generally belong to either curatorial or administrative departments, with curators handling an amazing array of tasks related to exhibitions. In overseas museums, there is generally a much more granular division of labor, with curators working alongside coordinators, technical directors, registrars, conservators, public relations staff, fundraisers, and other specialists. In Japan too, more and more art museums are establishing education, public relations, and other sections, but the overseas museums collaborating in this program have more clearly delineated professional domains, with teams of highly specialized personnel in each field.

Some overseas art museums also have an active Board of Trustees or similar body charged with taking decisions on the museum’s policies and budget allocation. The Art Gallery of New South Wales and the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles are two such examples.

When working with overseas museums, familiarizing yourself with this kind of multi-layered organizational structure will aid project management.