Assistant Curator of African Art

Position: Assistant Curator of African Art
Organisation: The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Department: The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing
Location: New York, US
Contract: Full-time
Salary: $87,000–$92,000 annually
Application deadline: 1 September 2026
Location requirement: Applicants must live within commuting distance in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, or Pennsylvania

About the role

The Metropolitan Museum of Art seeks an Assistant Curator of African Art to contribute to the presentation, documentation, interpretation, and study of its African art collection.

The successful candidate will conduct original research into works from the permanent collection, support and originate special exhibitions, and collaborate with conservators and scientists. They will also publish and present their research within the museum and across professional forums.

An appointment at Associate Curator level may be considered for candidates with an additional five years of relevant experience.

About the collection

The African art collection of The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing encompasses works ranging from 12th-century fired-clay figures from present-day Mali to contemporary art.

The collection addresses artistic traditions and histories including portraiture, dynastic succession, rites of passage, ancestor veneration, healing, divination, performance, trans-Saharan trade, Christianity in Ethiopia, coastal exchange, modernism, and enduring historical practices.

Responsibilities

The Assistant Curator will:

• Present, document, research, and interpret works from the collection
• Produce original research and update permanent collection records
• Support and originate special exhibitions under the Curator in Charge
• Propose strategic acquisitions
• Write catalogue essays, entries, labels, blogs, and other scholarly texts
• Participate in professional meetings and deliver public talks
• Contribute to fundraising, grant writing, donor relations, and outreach
• Support the professional development of interns and fellows
• Develop plans for rotating works in the newly renovated Michael C. Rockefeller Wing
• Train docents and educators in relation to the permanent collection
• Maintain and expand records in the TMS database and online catalogue
• Develop international relationships with museums, universities, and research institutes
• Respond to researchers and institutions requesting access to the collection
• Assist with scholarly collection study
• Prepare end-of-year gift reports

Candidate profile

Applicants should have:

• A master’s degree specialising in a relevant field
• Demonstrated language skills
• Experience working with museum collections, including research and curation
• A record of producing original research in their area of expertise
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
• Strong computer skills, including familiarity with TMS, Adobe Creative Suite, and Microsoft Office
• The ability to manage multiple projects and changing priorities
• The ability to work independently and collaboratively
• The ability to give and receive constructive feedback

A PhD or equivalent qualification is preferred.

Benefits

Eligible employees receive:

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
• A 403(b) retirement plan and optional employer-matched plan
• Annual leave, sick leave, and 13 museum holidays
• Long-term disability coverage
• Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Savings Accounts
• Commuter benefits
• Free financial-planning services
• Support for relevant courses, seminars, and training
• A 25% discount in museum shops
• Access to a subsidised staff cafeteria
• Free entry to participating museums and cultural institutions through the Museums Council pass