Assistant Curator of African 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.

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;
• Dynamically resilient historical traditions that endure into the present day.

Responsibilities

As the Assistant Curator for African Art, you will contribute to the presentation, documentation, communication, and study of African Art to the broad public.

• 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 the 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 the 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 the 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.

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. An Associate level may also be considered with an additional 5 years’ experience.

Requirements

• 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 the ability to receive/give productive feedback/criticism.

Pay

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 the 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

• 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.