As the Assistant Curator of American Textiles, you will have expertise in 18th- to mid-20th-century art and culture. Working with diverse Museum colleagues, you will contribute to researching, cataloguing, interpreting, and enhancing textiles in the American Wing collection, while also proposing installations and publications. You are committed to telling expansive and inclusive stories with a broadly conceived collection of American art.

​Application Deadline: September 11, 2026

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:

• Contribute to ongoing collection research, assessment, and refinement of American textiles

• Identify opportunities within the collection to bring fresh ideas and narratives to installations and gallery rotations

 • Research and write interpretive materials, including gallery texts as well as printed and online Museum publications

 • Assist with and propose gallery installations, some with accompanying publications

• Recommend artwork for acquisition in collaboration with conservators, other curators, collection managers, and collectors

• Cultivate and steward donors for acquisition and fundraising support, including membership in departmental support groups

• Contribute ideas to and participate in programming for departmental support groups and American Wing Visiting Committee (advisory group)

• Lead tours of departmental exhibitions and installations

• Develop and lead training sessions for American Wing volunteer guides

• Contribute to educational mission of Museum through public lectures, gallery talks, classes, and mentoring of interns and fellows

• Contribute to broad range of public and patron programs and to building relationships with local communities as well as global audiences

• Foster and maintain positive working relationships with museum colleagues across the U.S. as well as with members of scholarly communities, dealers, collectors, and diverse audiences

• Respond to public inquiries

• Other duties as assigned

REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's degree with specialization in American textiles; PhD or ABD preferred

• Understanding of basic textile structures, materials, and techniques as well as experience with textile handling

• 3-5 years museum experience directly related to required curatorial duties and responsibilities

• Demonstrated track record of scholarly research and publication; participation in symposia, lectures, and other forms of public engagement

• Demonstrated achievement in current curatorial practice

• Passion for object-centered research, presentation, and interpretation

• Ability to create and maintain well-researched and precise collection records

• Demonstrated commitment to exploring wide-ranging approaches to American art and culture, and to engaging directly with diversity, equity, access, and inclusion (DEIA) initiatives in museum and professional communities

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written, oral, visual) and respected engagement with colleagues across a complex organization and externally with scholars, donors, dealers, and broader publics

• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with all American Wing staff and varied colleagues throughout Museum as proactive, communicative team player with proven follow-through

• Ability to contribute to an inclusive and affirmative work environment

• Excellent computer skills, familiarity with TMS, Adobe Suite, and Microsoft Office Suite.

COMPENSATION RANGE:

• Pay Range: $87,000—92,000 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 candidates experience, education, special licensing or qualifications, and other factors.

Location Requirements

At time of employment, employees are expected to be located within commuting distance of the Museum. Commuting distance means that they are located in one of following states: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, or Pennsylvania (the Tri-state and PA areas), and be able to commute to and from the Museum in a single day.

Benefits Offerings

The Museum provides competitive compensation, and generous benefits and perks for all eligible employees.Note:Benefits Offering may differ based on Employee Status.

• 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

We recognize that it is highly unlikely that someone meets 100% of the desired attributes for a role. If much of this job description describes you, then please apply for this role.