Assistant Curator of Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Assistant Curator of Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Institution: J. Paul Getty Museum
Deadline: Open until filled (apply early for summer 2026 start)
Location: Getty Center, Brentwood, Los Angeles, USA (Hybrid/Partially Remote)

The J. Paul Getty Museum seeks an Assistant Curator of Sculpture and Decorative Arts with expertise in European decorative arts (ideally French or Italian, 1650–1800) to join its curatorial team. Reporting to the Senior Curator, the Assistant Curator will support the development, display, maintenance, and management of the European sculpture and decorative arts collection from the Middle Ages through 1900. This role involves curatorial research, exhibition planning, acquisition recommendations, interpretive programming, and collaboration with museum colleagues, scholars, dealers, and other institutions.

Position Format

• Full-time, salaried position: $70,958–$94,018 per year, commensurate with experience

• Hybrid/partially remote work arrangement

• Responsibilities include:

  • Research, scholarship, and publication in European decorative arts

  • Development of gallery installations and smaller exhibitions

  • Collection management, including database updates, inquiries, and tours

  • Collaboration with internal teams and external institutions

  • Contribution to public and educational programming, including digital and social media

  • Proposal of acquisitions and gifts for the collection

Eligibility & Requirements

• Master’s degree in Art History, Art, or Art Education OR 2–4 years curatorial experience OR Ph.D.

• Fluency in at least one foreign language (modern or ancient)

• Legal authorization to work in the United States without visa sponsorship

• Experience in art historical research, writing, and connoisseurship

• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills

• Competence in collection management and digital asset management (TMS database preferred)