Curator of Twentieth-Century Art

Position Summary Assistant Curator of African Art at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY. Full‑time, on‑site position with a yearly salary range of $87,000 – $92,000 . 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 participate in the Met experience online. The Met has always aspired to be more than a treasury of rare and beautiful objects and is committed to fostering a collaborative and respectful work environment with a diverse staff. Our staff members are art lovers passionate about 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 African collection of The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing spans fired clay figures from present‑day Mali in the twelfth century to contemporary works such as ‘Bleu no. 1’ (2014) by Abdoulaye Konaté. Major forms of visual expression surveyed include traditions of portraiture, dynastic succession, ancestral rites, healing, divination, and theatrical performance. These works have contributed to major social and cultural developments across Africa, from the flourishing of ancient Jenne to the early embrace of Christianity by Ethiopian monarchs, the arrival of Islam through trans‑Saharan trade, the exchange of exotic materials, and the evolution of modernist representation. 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, produce original research, support special exhibitions, collaborate with conservators and scientists, and publish through multiple platforms. 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 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 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 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 and give productive feedback and criticism. Compensation Range Pay Range: $87,000–$92,000 per year. The advertised pay scale reflects the good‑faith minimum and maximum salary range for this role. 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 the time of employment, employees are expected to be located within commuting distance of the museum—specifically in 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 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. EEO Statement 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. We recognize that it is highly unlikely that someone meets 100% of the desired attributes for a role. If 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 View email address on click.appcast.io. Job ID: 85056640 #J-18808-Ljbffr Southeastern Registrars Association (SERA)