Assistant Curator, European Paintings

The Metropolitan Museum of Art•The Met Fifth Avenue, NY

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is seeking an Assistant Curator, or Associate Curator with commensurate experience, who is a forward-looking art historian specializing in 19th-century art with a particular focus on paintings. This role is responsible for the research, display, study, growth, and care of this area of the European Paintings collection. The ideal candidate will be passionately interested in paintings, shaping the department’s future, advancing the Museum’s mission of public engagement and outreach through gallery installations, and organizing ambitious exhibitions built around this area of the collection. The curator will be integral to the exciting project of reenvisioning the presentation of the permanent collection. The Museum may recommend that a new hire at Assistant Level be awarded credit for time worked in the same or similar role with comparable responsibilities. An Associate level may also be considered with an additional 5 years’ experience. Application Deadline: August 14, 2026.

Requirements

Ph.D in art history and a specialization in 19th-century paintings, with demonstrated knowledge and particular focus on Impressionism
Reading knowledge of French or German, and competency in the European languages central to the candidate’s discipline
Two years curatorial or academic experience in specialized field
Demonstrated scholarly achievement through publications and exhibitions
Strong presentation and advocacy skills when working with donors, the public, and museum staff

Responsibilities

Commitment to scholarship in fields of specialization, and to communicating the results of that scholarship, both to a broad public and specialist communities
Curate gallery installations with the attendant tasks of research, label writing, working with paintings technicians, and participating in related digital platforms
Research, generate and produce scholarly publications on works in the collection under his/her/their curatorial responsibility, contribute to entries in The Met’s online collection database
Organize path-breaking exhibitions that help to redefine an artist, period, or work of art
Participate in the Museum’s public education and outreach programs
Develop and maintain good working relationships with donors, trustees, and colleagues from other institutions in the U.S. and abroad, as well as with the scholarly community, dealers and collectors
Actively cultivate potential sponsors and supporters, including departmental membership groups
Research, propose, and present works for acquisition
Respond to inquiries relating to the collection and assist the public and visiting scholars
Work with scholars throughout the field to enrich and expand the collection’s narratives
Collaborate with colleagues throughout the Museum and the broader field of art history on related projects and programs
Maintain commitment to the field of art history by participating in conferences, scholarly publications, and other forums
Other related duties as assigned

Benefits

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