Examination Practice Questions And

Illinois Museum Curator Certification Examination Practice Questions And Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf

• What is the primary purpose of a museum’s mission statement?
• To describe daily operations
• To outline collections insurance policies
• To define institutional purpose and scope
• To provide exhibit label text

Rationale: A mission statement articulates the museum’s fundamental

purpose, audience, and scope of activity.

• Which document governs ethical behavior for museum professionals?
• U.S. Federal Museum Code
• AAM Code of Ethics for Museums
• Museum Collections Act 1 / 4

• Curatorial Conduct Manual

Rationale: The AAM Code of Ethics establishes accepted professional

standards for museum practice.

3. A Collections Management Policy must include:

• Security staffing numbers
• Acquisition and deaccession guidelines
• Account passwords
• Vendor lists

Rationale: Acquisition, deaccession, and stewardship procedures are core

elements of a collections policy.

4. Provenance refers to:

• Condition of an object
• Ownership history
• Display requirements
• Insurance valuation

Rationale: Provenance documents chain of ownership and is essential for

authenticity and legality.

5. The primary goal of preventive conservation is:

• Object cleaning
• Treatment reversal
• Risk mitigation and environmental control
• Deaccession preparation 2 / 4

Rationale: Preventive conservation reduces deterioration by controlling

environmental and handling risks.

6. Ideal relative humidity for mixed collections storage is typically:

A. 10–15%

B. 85–90%

C. 45–55%

D. 70–75%

Rationale: Mid-range RH minimizes damage to diverse materials.

7. Light exposure is measured in:

• Volts
• Lux
• Ohms
• Foot-pounds

Rationale: Lux quantifies visible light levels for display and preservation.

8. A loan agreement must include:

• Marketing plan
• Opening reception schedule
• Loan duration and conditions
• Staff home addresses

Rationale: Loan documentation specifies terms, responsibilities, and legal

conditions.

9. The accession process begins when: 3 / 4

• A donor contacts the museum
• An object is displayed
• The museum formally accepts an object into the permanent collection
• The item receives conservation treatment

Rationale: Accessioning is an institutional commitment to stewardship.

• Which numbering system is standard for cataloging?
• Donor initials
• Random alphanumeric codes
• Accession number → Object number
• Color coding

Rationale: Museums use systematic accession/object numbering for

tracking.

11. Integrated Pest Management emphasizes:

• Constant chemical spraying
• Monitoring and prevention
• Removing all organic objects
• Automatic freezing

Rationale: IPM focuses on inspection, housekeeping, and mitigation over

chemicals.

12. The best way to handle artifacts is:

• With bare hands
• By decorative elements
• / 4