Assistant Curator, European Paintings at The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Application deadline: 14 August 2026
Location: The Met Fifth Avenue, New York, United States
Position type: Full-time
Salary: $87,000–$92,000 per year
Specialisation: 19th-century European painting, with a particular focus on Impressionism
Experience required: At least two years of curatorial or academic experience
Job reference: JR-44142
The Role
The Metropolitan Museum of Art is seeking an Assistant Curator—or Associate Curator for a candidate with commensurate experience—to join its Department of European Paintings.
The Museum is looking for a forward-thinking art historian specialising in 19th-century art, with a particular focus on paintings and demonstrated knowledge of Impressionism.
The Curator will be responsible for the research, display, interpretation, development and care of this area of The Met’s European Paintings collection. They will contribute to the department’s future direction and play an integral role in reimagining the presentation of the permanent collection.
The successful candidate will also develop ambitious exhibitions, advance scholarship and support the Museum’s public engagement and outreach through gallery installations, publications and educational programmes.
An appointment at Associate Curator level may be considered for candidates with an additional five years of relevant experience.
Responsibilities
The Curator will:
- Conduct and publish scholarly research within their area of specialisation
- Communicate research to both specialist communities and broad public audiences
- Curate installations of the permanent collection
- Research and write gallery labels and other interpretive materials
- Collaborate with paintings technicians on gallery displays
- Contribute to related digital platforms
- Produce scholarly publications on works under their curatorial responsibility
- Write and update entries for The Met’s online collection database
- Organise original exhibitions that offer new perspectives on artists, periods or individual works
- Participate in the Museum’s public education and outreach programmes
- Research, propose and present works for acquisition
- Respond to enquiries concerning the collection
- Assist members of the public and visiting scholars
- Work with external scholars to enrich and expand the narratives presented through the collection
- Collaborate with colleagues across the Museum and the wider field of art history
- Participate in conferences, scholarly publications and other professional forums
Relationships and Development
The Curator will develop and maintain relationships with:
- Donors and trustees
- Scholars and other members of the academic community
- Dealers and collectors
- Museum colleagues in the United States and internationally
- Potential sponsors and supporters
- Departmental membership groups
The role requires strong presentation and advocacy skills and the ability to communicate effectively with donors, Museum staff and members of the public.
Qualifications
Applicants must have:
- A PhD in art history
- A specialisation in 19th-century painting
- Demonstrated knowledge of and a particular focus on Impressionism
- Reading knowledge of French or German
- Competency in the European languages central to their area of study
- At least two years of curatorial or academic experience in a relevant specialist field
- A record of scholarly achievement demonstrated through publications and exhibitions
- Strong presentation, communication and advocacy skills
Candidates considered for appointment at Associate Curator level should have an additional five years of relevant experience.
Location Requirements
At the time of employment, the successful candidate must live within commuting distance of the Museum.
The Met defines commuting distance as residence in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut or Pennsylvania, with the ability to travel to and from the Museum within a single day.
Salary and Benefits
The annual salary range is $87,000–$92,000. The final offer will depend on factors including the candidate’s experience, education and specialist qualifications.
Eligible employees receive benefits including:
- Medical, dental, vision and life insurance
- A 403(b) basic retirement plan
- An optional matching retirement plan with an employer contribution
- Annual leave, sick leave and 13 Museum holidays
- Long-term disability coverage
- Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Savings Accounts
- Pre-tax commuter benefits
- Free financial-planning services
- Financial support for relevant courses, seminars and training
- A 25% discount in Museum shops
- Access to a subsidised staff cafeteria
- A Museums Council pass providing free admission to participating museums and cultural institutions
About The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Founded in 1870, The Metropolitan Museum of Art presents more than 5,000 years of art from around the world.
The Museum operates across two New York locations—The Met Fifth Avenue and The Met Cloisters—and reaches international audiences through its digital programmes and online collection.
The Met identifies respect, inclusivity, collaboration, excellence and integrity as its core institutional values. It is committed to creating a collaborative working environment and building a staff that reflects the diversity of its audiences.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides reasonable accommodations for qualified applicants with disabilities.
Note: This listing has been edited for formatting purposes. To read the complete job description and apply, please visit the link below.
