About the Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Met presents over 5,000 years of art from around the world for everyone to
experience and enjoy. The Museum lives in two iconic sites in New York City—The Met Fifth Avenue and The Met Cloisters. Millions of people
also take part in The Met experience online.
Since its founding in 1870, The Met has always aspired to be more than a treasury of
rare and beautiful objects. We are committed to fostering a collaborative and respectful work environment with a staff as diverse as the
audiences we engage. Our staff members are art lovers who are passionate about working toward a common goal: creating the most dynamic and
inspiring art museum in the world.
At The Met, every staff member – from security officers to researchers to scientists and beyond –
lives by our core values of respect, inclusivity, collaboration, excellence, and integrity.
Respect: Engage one another with
collegiality, empathy, and kindness, always.
Inclusivity: Ensure that all are and feel welcome and valued.
Collaboration: Reach across boundaries to exchange ideas and work together toward our shared mission.
Excellence:
Lead the cultural world in quality and expertise—and inspire curiosity and creativity.
Integrity: Hold ourselves to the
highest moral standards, admit when we fall short, and then evolve.
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT:
The works in the Africa
collection of The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing span fired clay figures shaped in present-day Mali during the twelfth century to the fiber
creation Bleu no. 1 (2014) by contemporary
innovator Abdoulaye Konaté. Major forms of visual expression surveyed relate to traditions of portraiture, dynastic succession, generational
rites of passage, ancestor veneration, healing and divination, and theatrical performance. Their authors have contributed to major social
and cultural developments, including the flourishing of urban centers such as ancient Jenne, evident in devotional sculpture sponsored by
its citizenry; the arrival of Islam through trans-Saharan trade reflected in decorative arts ranging from tunics to architectural design;
the early embrace of Christianity by Ethiopian monarchs and their sponsorship of liturgical works; the dawn of coastal trade with Europe and
the exchange of exotic presentation pieces wrought from locally sourced ivory for imported luxury materials; a transformation in
representation and the development of modernism in the West; and dynamically resilient historical traditions that endure into the present
day.
GENERAL STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:
As the Assistant or Associate Curator for African Art, you will
contribute to the presentation, documentation, communication, and study of African Art to the broad public. You will produce original
research and insights into works of art in the Museum’s permanent collection. You will support and originate special exhibitions under the
discretion of the Curator in Charge. You will collaborate with Conservators and Scientists and act as an allied professional within the
wider curatorial field through the publication and presentation of your work within professional forums.
- The Museum may
recommend that a new hire at Assistant Level be awarded credit for time worked in the same or similar role with comparable responsibilities
as outlined in the Regulations for Curatorial, Education, Library, Conservation, and Scientific Research employees. An Associate level may
also be considered with an additional 5 years’ experience.
Please include a cover letter with your application.
Application Deadline: September 1, 2026
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:
- Present, document, study and
communicate works of art in the collection to the wider public. - Originate new research on area of expertise to update
documentation of permanent collection. - Support and originate special exhibitions under the guidance of the Curator in Charge.
- Propose new strategic acquisitions for the permanent collection.
- Write, support and ideate scholarly documentation for print
or online publication including catalogue essays, entries, labels, blogs and texts. - Participate in professional meetings and give
public talks on area of expertise. - Participate in museum fundraising, grant writing and department’s development of donor
relations and outreach activities. - Support the professional development of interns and fellows.
- Refine and develop plans
for rotations of works in the Africa collection for the collections in the newly renovated Michael C. Rockefeller Wing in consultation with
the Curator in Charge - Provide training relating to permanent collection to docents and Educators
- Maintain and expand
information on the Africa collection in the TMS database and online catalogue - Maintain and develop international networks with
museums, universities, and research institutes, including handling correspondence with international researchers and institutions concerning
their inquiries about access to works in the collection and related information; assist with scholarly collections study - Prepare
end of year gift reports - Other related duties
REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS:
- Master's degree
with specialization in area of expertise. PHD or equivalent preferred. - Demonstrated language skills.
- Demonstrated
experience working within museum collections, including research, and curation. - Demonstrated experience originating research on
area of expertise. - Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
- Excellent computer skills,
familiarity with TMS, Adobe Suite, and Microsoft Office Suite. - Ability to adapt and produce results on multiple projects with
shifting priorities - Ability to work independently and as part of a team with ability to receive/give productive
feedback/criticism.
COMPENSATION RANGE:
- Pay Range: $87,000 - $92,000 / Annually
- The
advertised pay scale reflects the good faith minimum and maximum salary range for this role. The advertised pay scale is not a promise of a
particular wage for any specific employee. The specific compensation offered to a candidate may be dependent on a variety of factors
including, but not limited to, the candidate’s experience, education, special licensing or qualifications, and other factors.
Location Requirements
At time of employment, employees are expected to be located within commuting distance of the Museum.
“Commuting distance” means that they are located in one of following states: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, or Pennsylvania (the
“Tri-state and PA” areas), and be able to commute to and from the Museum in a single day.
Benefits Offerings
The
Museum provides competitive compensation, and generous benefits and perks for all eligible employees. Note: Benefits Offering may differ
based on Employee Status.
- Medical, dental, vision and life insurance
- 403(b) basic retirement plan and optional
matching retirement plan with an outstanding employer match - Considerable paid time off, including annual leave, sick leave, and 13
Museum holidays - Long-term disability coverage
- Flexible Spending Accounts & Health Savings Account (pre-tax income for
eligible health care expenses) - Commuter benefits (pre-tax income for parking or mass transit expenses)
- Free
financial-planning services - Financial assistance for relevant coursework, seminars, and training programs
- 25% discount
for staff in Museum shops - A subsidized staff cafeteria
- Access to the Museums Council pass, which grants free admission
to various museums and cultural institutions
We recognize that it is highly unlikely that someone meets 100% of the desired
attributes for a role. If much of this job description describes you, then please apply for this role.
The Met is committed to the
full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, The Met will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided
reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed in this process, please contact benefits@metmuseum.org.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art provides equal opportunity to all employees and
applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, mental or
physical disability, pregnancy, alienage or citizenship status, marital status or domestic partner status, genetic information, genetic
predisposition or carrier status, gender identity, HIV status, military status and any other category protected by law in all employment
decisions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, compensation, training and apprenticeship, promotion, upgrading, demotion,
downgrading, transfer, lay-off and termination, and all other terms and conditions of employment.
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