Assistant Curator, Arms & Armor

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

Established in 1912, The Met collection of arms and armor was formed through the activities and interests of curators, trustees, private collectors, and donors. The collection comprises approximately fourteen thousand objects, of which more than five thousand are European, two thousand are from the Near East, and four thousand from the Far East. It is one of the most comprehensive and encyclopedic collections of its kind, and its scope continues to evolve and expand through strategic acquisitions.

The principal goals of the Arms and Armor Department are to collect, preserve, research, publish, and exhibit distinguished examples representing the art of the armorer, swordsmith, and gunmaker. Its collection's focus is upon works that possess extraordinary design and decorative qualities, rather than objects that are of technical or military interest.

GENERAL STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:

As the Assistant Curator of Arms & Armor, you will research, catalogue, interpret, and enhance the collection of Arms & Armor collection. You will propose, develop and execute special exhibitions and publish research on the collection and wider field. You will cultivate collectors and donors to contribute to departmental fundraising efforts. You will collaborate in both departmental projects as well as cross departmental initiatives to support the wider Museums mission, goals and commitments.

The Museum may recommend that a new hire at Assistant Curator 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.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:

• Assist in all aspects of the planned renovation of the Department's galleries, collaborating closely with the other curators and the renovation team to plan and execute a groundbreaking new display;
• Participate in the organization of permanent gallery exhibits and installations, including the planning, coordination, and oversight of rotations, label writing, and related maintenance of the collection database;
• Research and catalogue the Department's permanent collection, and assist in creating, updating, and reviewing standards and object records in the collections database (TMS);
• Assist with the development of onsite and online initiatives and content to enhance the visibility of and access to the collection;
• Propose strategic acquisitions for the permanent collection;
• Foster and maintain relationships with donors, dealers and collectors, and colleagues from other institutions in the U.S. and abroad.
• Foster positive working relationships with colleagues across the Museum and with national and international institutions, as well as scholarly communities;
• Publish research on the collection and contribute to the teaching mission of The Met through public lectures, docent training and mentorship of interns and fellows;
• Support and contribute to The Met's and other scholarly publications, including articles in peer-reviewed journals, catalogue essays and entries, as well as printed and online contents;
• Actively participate in the Department's projects and activities, including but not limited to newsletters, social media posts, Visiting Committee meeting preparation, and Friends events;
• Answer inquiries relating to the collection and assist the public and visiting scholars;
• Other duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS:

• PhD in art history or a related field, required;
• Demonstrated experience in museum curation, collections and research. Demonstrated scholarly achievement in the field of historic arms and armor with an emphasis on art historical and cultural questions, including original research and critical inquiry in publications and public speaking;
• Demonstrated experience with deep research, precise collections entry and communicating knowledge relevant to the collection.
• Commitment to maintaining a high degree of professionalism and diplomacy;
• Detail-oriented, meticulous, and conscientious in following through on assigned tasks;
• Demonstrated experience adapting and producing results on multiple projects with shifting priorities;
• Excellent writing, organizational and planning skills
• Excellent organizational and planning skills;
• Strong computer skills; knowledge of TMS, Adobe and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Fluency in English, required;
• Command of additional languages, preferred.

COMPENSATION RANGE:

• Pay Range: $80,000.00 - $85,000.00 / 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

Research shows that women and people from underrepresented groups often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We recognize that it is highly unlikely that someone meets 100% of the qualifications 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.

recblid bduqpj9fwgoczp1i0yo57qi50jftol