About the Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Met presents over 5,000 years of art from around the world for everyone to experience and enjoy. The Museum lives in two iconic sites in New York City—The Met Fifth Avenue and The Met Cloisters. Millions of people also take part in The Met experience online.
Since its founding in 1870, The Met has always aspired to be more than a treasury of rare and beautiful objects. We are committed to fostering a collaborative and respectful work environment with a staff as diverse as the audiences we engage. Our staff members are art lovers who are passionate about working toward a common goal: creating the most dynamic and inspiring art museum in the world.
At The Met, every staff member – from security officers to researchers to scientists and beyond – lives by our core values of respect, inclusivity, collaboration, excellence, and integrity.
Respect: Engage one another with collegiality, empathy, and kindness, always.
Inclusivity: Ensure that all are and feel welcome and valued.
Collaboration: Reach across boundaries to exchange ideas and work together toward our shared mission.
Excellence: Lead the cultural world in quality and expertise—and inspire curiosity and creativity.
Integrity: Hold ourselves to the highest moral standards, admit when we fall short, and then evolve.
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT:
A staff and public resource, the Antonio Ratti Textile Study and Storage Center houses approximately 33,000 historical textiles, carpets, and tapestries that belong to twelve curatorial departments in a 19,000 square foot facility. Working closely with curators and The Department of Textile Conservation, the Antonio Ratti Textile Study and Storage Center cares for and provides access to The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s textile collection.
GENERAL STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:
You are a specialist in the field of textile studies and will administer the department’s educational program. This work includes preparing and attending daily study appointments; developing educational resources and programs in coordination with our colleagues in curatorial, conservation, Education, Digital, and Watson Library; conveying basic textile history and techniques to a general audience. As a member of our collections management team, you will participate in the daily activities required to run the storage facility and care for the collection.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:
- Oversee the preparation of objects for staff and public viewings by arranging art, as possible, in a thematic or chronological sequence; reviewing final set up and confirming that conservation and curatorial handling notes are observed and objects are correctly oriented; and preparing technical equipment required for object study.
- Attend viewings and help viewers by handling objects; assisting with photography and technical equipment; and providing catalog information and bibliography or directing to curatorial or conservation departments as appropriate.
- Assist with the creation of departmental publications, both digital and print.
- In consultation with the General Manager and Head, coordinate curatorial requests for textile documentation (i.e. measurements, component reconciliation, record photography, and basic cataloging).
- Act as a resource to junior staff, interns, and volunteers as assigned.
- Assist with departmental library acquisitions, archives, methods, materials and touch collections.
- Assist with the implementation of the departmental Integrated Pest Management policy as needed.
- Other duties as assigned.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
- MA or MFA in Material Culture Studies, Conservation, Art History or Studio Art
- Specialization in the field of textile studies
- Textile handling experience
- Knowledge of object documentation
- Experience presenting artworks to the public and speaking in front of groups
- Basic knowledge of collections management and preventive conservation concepts
COMPENSATION RANGE:
- Pay Range : $65,000 – $72,000 / Annually
- The advertised pay scale reflects the good faith minimum and maximum salary range for this role. The advertised pay scale is not a promise of a particular wage for any specific employee. The specific compensation offered to a candidate may be dependent on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s experience, education, special licensing or qualifications, and other factors.
For more information and for updates on this rolling deadline, please visit the job posting at this link.
