Research Associate for Modern & Contemporary Art (Harlem Renaissance) at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Job Title: Research Associate

Job Status: Full-time

About the Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Metropolitan Museum of Art collects, studies, conserves, and presents significant works of art across all times and cultures to connect people to creativity, knowledge, and ideas.

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. Since it was founded in 1870, The Met has always aspired to be more than a treasury of rare and beautiful objects. Every day, art comes alive in the Museum’s galleries and through its exhibitions and events, revealing both new ideas and unexpected connections across time and across cultures.

GENERAL STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:

Working under the supervision of the exhibition’s curator, the Research Associate will conduct research and exhibition organization tasks supporting the forthcoming exhibition “The Harlem Renaissance and TransAtlantic Modernism” (working title).

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:

  • Conduct in-depth library and archival research to support checklist; provenance and exhibition histories of works on checklist; catalogue essays, entries, and bibliography; and associated workshops and programming.
  • Coordinate loan letters to private and public collections.
  • Work with Curator and Exhibitions department to assist in compiling information needed for Immunity from Seizure and Indemnification applications.
  • Work with Curator and Editorial/Publications department to assist with all aspects of the exhibition catalogue production, including author identification, design process, and copy editing.
  • Work with Curator to support interface with the exhibition’s Advisory Committee, including the organization of Committee meetings and individual consultations
  • Research images and archival photographs and assist in securing reproduction rights and correct credits/captioning.
  • Work with the Curator to liaise with the exhibition’s Paris-based Research Associate on loan research, image permissions and other duties as needed
  • Work with Curator and Design department to develop and implement exhibition layout and graphic design.
  • Work with Curator, conservators, registrars, and exhibition project managers to implement the exhibition installation.
  • Work with Curator and Communications and Marketing staff to develop scholarly postings, as well as publicity and social media materials.
  • Prepare PowerPoint materials for lectures in support of projects; give walkthroughs and gallery talks during the exhibition’s opening weeks as needed.
  • Assist in organization and implementation of exhibition programming.
  • Other related duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS:

Fully vaccinated with an FDA or WHO authorized vaccine (or approved for an exemption as a reasonable accommodation due to a disability, sincerely held religious belief, or pregnancy, or because you are a victim of domestic violence, stalking, or sex offenses).

Experience and Skills:

  • Two or more years of prior research experience and proven excellence in conducting exhibition-related art historical research preferred.
  • Familiarity with New York-area libraries and national and international archives required.
  • Careful, methodical, organizational skills required.
  • Excellent writing skills required.
  • Proven ability to work with team.

Knowledge and Education:

  • Master’s degree in Art History required, PhD strongly preferred; with specific expertise in early 20th-century modern art, the Harlem Renaissance and a working knowledge of the history of African American art.
  • Working knowledge of French preferred.
  • Experience with TMS (“The Museum System”) is preferred.

To Apply:

Apply via LinkedIn

The Metropolitan Museum of Art provides equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, mental or physical disability, pregnancy, alienage or citizenship status, marital status or domestic partner status, genetic information, genetic predisposition or carrier status, gender identity, HIV status, military status and any other category protected by law in all employment decisions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, compensation, training and apprenticeship, promotion, upgrading, demotion, downgrading, transfer, lay-off and termination, and all other terms and conditions of employment.