Assistant Curator of Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Listing with no application deadline, published 27 January 2026. 

Job Family: Curatorial
Type: Regular, Full-Time
Position Status: Getty Center
Workplace Type: Hybrid / Partially Remote
Compensation: Salaried
Hiring Pay Scale: $70,958 – $94,018 annually
Salary: Commensurate with experience and internal equity
Program / Department: Museum – Sculpture and Decorative Arts (0310)
Requisition Number: 2025-4722

Equal Opportunity Statement

Getty is committed to creating a welcoming workplace that reflects the various backgrounds of the communities served. Differences are valued in the pursuit of inquiry and knowledge, mutual understanding, respect, trust, transparency, and cooperation. All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship or immigration status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected status.

Job Summary

Mission

The J. Paul Getty Museum seeks to inspire curiosity about, and enjoyment and understanding of, the visual arts by collecting, conserving, exhibiting, and interpreting works of art of outstanding quality and historical importance. The Museum is one of four programs of the J. Paul Getty Trust.

The Museum operates two facilities:

• Getty Villa (Malibu): Greek and Roman antiquities
• Getty Center (Brentwood): European art collections, including Medieval and Renaissance illuminated manuscripts, paintings, sculpture, decorative arts, drawings to 1900, and photography to the present day (including non-European works)

The Museum mounts approximately 25 temporary exhibitions annually across both sites, maintains an ongoing permanent gallery improvement program, and offers wide-ranging public programming.

The Opportunity

The J. Paul Getty Museum seeks a qualified Assistant Curator with expertise in European Decorative Arts to join the Department of Sculpture and Decorative Arts. Reporting to the Senior Curator, the Assistant Curator assists in developing, displaying, maintaining, and managing the decorative arts collection within an assigned area of expertise.

This full-time role supports the Getty’s collection of European sculpture and decorative arts from the Middle Ages through 1900. The successful candidate will have a strong academic background and an established publication record in European decorative arts. Preference is given to specialists in French or Italian decorative arts from 1650–1800.

Key areas of responsibility include:

• Developing engaging displays and interpretive materials during permanent gallery redesigns
• Conducting scholarly research and archival study
• Maintaining and updating the online catalogue
• Proposing exhibitions, research projects, and acquisitions
• Collaborating with curators, museum colleagues, scholars, dealers, and auctioneers

The ideal candidate demonstrates a commitment to connoisseurship, thoughtful collection development, public engagement, and collaborative curatorial practice.

Major Job Responsibilities

• Apply advanced knowledge of art history and art education to curatorial assignments of moderate complexity
• Conduct scholarly research on the Decorative Arts collection
• Develop gallery installations and organize smaller exhibitions in collaboration with other departments
• Travel and network internationally to build institutional partnerships
• Publish and lecture within area of specialization
• Manage day-to-day operations of assigned collections, including:
  • Consultation with conservators
  • Database entry and online catalogue updates
  • Responding to collection inquiries
  • Leading tours for educators, docents, scholars, and the public
• Research and propose acquisitions and donations in collaboration with senior curators
• Participate in preparation of acquisition proposals
• Serve as a resource for scholars, visitors, and staff
• Build relationships with external institutions and professionals to foster cross-institutional initiatives
• Contribute to interpretive programming, including public and educational programs, digital media, and social media
• Foster professional relationships with scholars, dealers, collectors, and peer institutions in the U.S. and abroad
• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in art history, art, or art education OR 2–4 years of curatorial experience OR Ph.D.
• Fluency in at least one foreign language (modern or ancient) required
• Competency across most curatorial functions
• Legal authorization to work in the United States without current or future visa sponsorship

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated experience in art historical research and scholarly writing
• Proven interest in European decorative arts
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills
• Ability to communicate complex information to diverse audiences in print and online
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate across disciplines and departments
• Excellent knowledge of collection management and digital asset management tools, particularly TMS

Benefits and Perks

Getty offers a comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees, including:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance starting on date of hire (Getty covers 75%–95% of premiums)
• 403(b) retirement plan with up to 5% Getty match
• 6% Getty contribution to a 401(a) retirement account
• Educational assistance and professional development opportunities
• Paid vacation, sick, and personal days
• 12 paid holidays
• Bi-weekly Off-Fridays for many positions
• On-site fitness center at the Getty Center
• Community service opportunities