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:
The Department of Textile Conservation is responsible for the preservation, conservation, technical study, research, and installation of the Museum’s collection of approximately 36,000 textiles across twelve curatorial departments, stored primarily at the Antonio Ratti Textile Study and Storage Center. The expansive collection represents a broad range of textiles, including flat textiles, tapestries, carpets, embroideries, costumes, archaeological and three-dimensional fiber art as well as accessories from nearly all periods and cultures. The Department sets guidelines for documentation, care, handling, display, and storage of textiles and plays a vital role in The Met’s Integrated Pest Management (IPM). The Department of Textile Conservation upholds the highest professional standards in the conservation of the Museum’s collection of textiles.
GENERAL STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:
As Conservation Associate, you will undertake a wide range of conservation procedures on specific textiles, as assigned, from The Met’s Islamic Art Department collection, including those in preparation for the Jahangir exhibition (April 2027).
Your primary focus will be assisting a Textile Conservator(s) in conservation treatment of an early seventeenth-century Mughal velvet carpet embellished with metal thread as well as conducting comprehensive research on traditional and innovative preservation techniques for its fragile metal-thread component. You will assess the feasibility of removing tarnish and determine whether current methods are suitable for various textiles made from the same materials that exhibit similar issues. Additionally, you will assist with installing the textiles for the exhibition, examining them, and writing condition reports. Ancillary conservation responsibilities include, but are not limited to, laboratory maintenance and organizational tasks to be undertaken with other members of the department.
This is a position with an established end-date or time frame. Time frame(s) will begin upon hire: 1 Year.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:
- Examine, treat, and document assigned historic textiles from The Met’s Islamic Art collection in preparation for the Jahangir exhibition; devise conservation strategies for treatment and display.
- Work on exhibitions under the guidance of other conservators, which include examinations of works of art, writing condition, and participating in installations/deinstallations.
- Prepare chemical solutions, consolidants and adhesives for treatment according to established protocols, including obtaining production information and testing materials for suitability for treatment.
- Research new products and obtain product information; keep abreast of current professional literature and innovations related to methods of cleaning metal thread and engage in collaboration with research groups currently working on developing green conservation technologies.
- Prepare samples to conduct testing of materials and techniques aimed at treating textiles with metal thread.
- Analyze textile materials and their techniques by means of various analytical techniques (microscopy, XRF and X-ray).
- Use digital cameras and electronic resources for documentation; learn and use museum databases/digital documentation protocols.
- Undertake other approved activities, which may involve travel. Participation in the conservation community, including attending meetings as necessary.
- Conduct IPM activities individually and as part of the team such as vacuuming, anoxic treatment and/or low-temperature freezer treatment.
- .Adhere to recognized Standards for Preservation practices for textile artifacts.
- Assist in the maintenance of the laboratory, including facilities, equipment, and supplies, and the preparation of chemical reagents and solutions according to established safety procedures.
- Contribute to departmental outreach efforts, including social media and Museum website content creation.
- Other duties as assigned
REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS:
- Master’s degree from a recognized conservation training program with specialization in textile conservation.
- Excellent hands-on skills and practical knowledge of various conservation stitching techniques.
- Ability to conduct research independently, interpret the findings, and apply them to improve the condition of the textile under treatment consideration.
- Excellent organizational and time management skills; the ability to establish priorities, meet deadlines, and achieve goals.
- Knowledge of the use of microscopes and alternative analytical and diagnostic techniques such as Multi-band Imaging for complex examinations.
- Substantial knowledge of the history of textiles, weaving technology and techniques, materials, and demonstrated interest in works of art, their fabrication and history, art history, and aesthetic criteria in relation to conservation projects.
- Interest in broadening knowledge of relevant fields by taking advantage of the Museum’s expertise and resources, and professional development opportunities.
COMPENSATION:
- Pay Rate: $72,000 - $74,000 / 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.
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.
The Met is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, The Met will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed in this process, please contact benefits@metmuseum.org.
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.
