Assistant Curator, The Costume Institute

The Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art seeks a visionary and energetic scholar to represent the area of 20th century historic fashion. The Assistant Curator will be charged with developing special exhibitions and gallery rotations (both independently and in collaboration with other curators), researching and publishing original scholarship on the CI’s world-renowned collection, and actively participating in the broader life of the museum through collaborations with other curators, designers, conservators, and educators, among others. S/he will also play a key role in stewarding and cultivating patrons to support CI’s acquisitions and fundraising efforts. The ideal candidate must be a high performer, with an ability to harness ideas from a variety of vantage points (fashion, design, architecture, and other similar fields) to fulfill exhibition and collection mandates. 
 

Primary responsibilities and duties:
–Organize and support Costume Institute exhibitions and gallery rotations
–Research and propose works for acquisition. Participate in collection assessment
–Act as key author and essayist for exhibition catalogues and other specialized publications, including online content
–Be a point person for the CI Collection, assist the public and visiting scholars with appointments whenever necessary (effective spring 2017)
–Cultivate and steward donors for acquisition and fundraising
–Contribute to education and public programming
–Foster and maintain excellent working relationships with MMA staff, collectors, patrons, colleagues from other international institutions, scholars, dealers, and other individuals involved with the interests of the Museum
–Contribute ideas to and participate in Friends of the Costume Institute and Visiting Committee events
–Other related duties

Requirements and qualifications:

Experience and skills:
–At least six years of experience in the museum or academic field with a focus on 20th century costume or comparable field
–Demonstrated thought leadership and scholarship, including evidence of original published research
–Demonstrated engagement with international critical theory and artistic practice
–Demonstrated commitment to broad international audiences and learning, evidence of participation in symposia, lectures, and other public engagement
–Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with artists, museum colleagues, donors, and the general public
–Ability to create and maintain well-researched and precise records
–Experience with exhibition budgets

Knowledge and education:
–MA, PhD, or equivalent in art history, costume, or related field
–Expertise in 20th century costume history
–Broad knowledge of international contemporary culture
–Excellent written and spoken English
–Exhibition and publishing experience required
–Proficiency in other languages preferred

Application deadline: November 11, 2016

The Assistant Curator, The Costume Institute is full-time and includes full benefits. Salary will be commensurate with experience. Send cover letter, indicating position of interest, resume, and salary history to: careers@metmuseum.org as a Word attachment only with “Assistant Curator, Costume” in the subject line.

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.