About the American Wing
Established in 1924, the American Wing is the only western collecting area of The Met's seventeen curatorial departments to regularly blend so-called fine and decorative arts in our more than 75 galleries. With a collection of diverse works by African American, Asian American, Euro-American, Latin American, and Native American makers-representing some 20,000 objects and ranging primarily from the mid- 17th to early-20th century-the Wing is one of the largest and most comprehensive holdings of North American artistic expression in the world. These collections include painting, sculptures, drawing, and decorative arts (furniture, textiles, regalia, ceramics, basketry, glass, silver, metalwork, jewelry), as well as historic interiors and architectural fragments, produced by highly trained and self-taught artists, both identified and unrecorded. An active department with a curatorial staff of 13, the Wing regularly programs wide-ranging exhibitions and installations that bring fresh approaches to our holdings.
GENERAL STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:
As the Research Assistant, you will assist with a variety of American Wing curatorial initiatives. Focusing on 18th- and 19th-century painting and drawing, you will assist with the documentation and cataloguing of diverse works and collection records. You will also provide administrative support for collection development and gallery installations, among other curatorial efforts.
This is a part-time position (three days a week) with an established time frame or end date. Time frame will begin upon hire: 2 years.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:
Investigate and document diverse works-both canonic and newer acquisitions-augmenting bibliographic material of primary and secondary sources
Assist curatorial team in collections research, building object files
Assist with collections documentation and recordkeeping
Other duties as assigned
REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS:
M.A. in History of Art or American Studies (ABD preferred)
Advanced knowledge of American art and culture, specifically late 19th-century painting and drawing
Some past experience in curatorial museum departments
Familiarity with research resources and TMS
Highly organized and detail-oriented independent research skills
COMPENSATION RANGE:
Pay Range: $32.00 - $33.00 / Hourly
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.
