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African Curator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Archeologist

Washington, DC · On-site +1

$102K - $133K/yr

Summary This position is located at the National Museum of African American History & Culture (NMAAHC), Office of Curatorial Affairs. The NMAAHC is a national museum for the study and exhibition of ...

... African- American Culture invites applications for the position on Staff Associate. The staff ... management, curation, and overall maintenance activities for the National Center. The staff ...

... African-descended people One (1) year or more experience in Archival Management: acquisition ... Regularly participate in the curation of research materials; and develop collections in line with ...

Registrar

New York, NY · On-site

$77K - $82K/yr

Internal (excluding direct chain of command): -Preparators -Curatorial Staff and Fellows -Director ... African American art Skills - Strong organizational and time management skills - Excellent ...

Volunteer Oncologist

Manhattan, NY

$220.50/hr

... Africa (Kenya, Zambia) and the Caribbean (Haiti), while applying and expanding your clinical ... curative health services, especially for women and children. Our Volunteer Program has placed ...

West African cuisine is rich with history, flavor, and heart--and we're honored to share its story ... but a curator of the guest experience. This position manages the flow of both dining concepts ...

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African Curator information

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$25.5K

$72.6K

$119.5K

How much do african curator jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for african curator in the United States is $72,627.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $50,000.00 and $94,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between African Curator vs Museum Educator?

AspectAfrican CuratorMuseum Educator
Required CredentialsDegree in Museum Studies, Anthropology, or related field; experience in curationDegree in Education, Museum Studies, or related field; experience in educational programming
Work EnvironmentGallery or exhibition spaces, research areas, conservation labsEducational spaces, visitor centers, workshops
Employer & Industry UsageMuseums, cultural institutions focusing on African art, history, or cultureMuseums, cultural institutions, educational organizations

While both roles work within museums and cultural institutions, an African Curator primarily manages collections, develops exhibitions, and conducts research related to African art and history. A Museum Educator focuses on engaging visitors through educational programs, workshops, and tours. Both roles require relevant credentials and work closely to enhance visitor experience, but their core responsibilities differ significantly.

What does an African Curator do?

An African Curator is responsible for acquiring, researching, preserving, and displaying collections related to African art, culture, and history in museums or galleries. They organize exhibitions, interpret artifacts for the public, and work to increase awareness and appreciation of Africa's diverse cultural heritage. Additionally, they collaborate with artists, scholars, and communities to ensure accurate and respectful representation of African traditions and histories. Their role often includes educational outreach, publishing scholarly work, and managing collections to ensure their long-term conservation.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an African Curator, and why are they important?

To thrive as an African Curator, you need expertise in African art, history, and culture, typically supported by a degree in art history, museum studies, or a related field. Familiarity with collections management systems, digital archiving tools, and conservation techniques is highly valuable. Strong research abilities, cultural sensitivity, and excellent communication skills help in engaging diverse audiences and collaborating with communities. These competencies ensure accurate representation, effective exhibition planning, and the preservation of cultural heritage.

What are some common challenges faced by an African Curator when developing exhibitions, and how can they be addressed?

African Curators often encounter challenges such as sourcing authentic artifacts, navigating cultural sensitivities, and ensuring accurate representation of diverse African histories and communities. Working closely with source communities, building strong networks with artists, and collaborating with other museums can help address these issues. Additionally, curators must stay updated on ethical guidelines for acquisition and display, and prioritize inclusive, community-driven narratives to create meaningful and respectful exhibitions.
More about African Curator jobs
What cities are hiring for African Curator jobs? Cities with the most African Curator job openings:
What states have the most African Curator jobs? States with the most job openings for African Curator jobs include:
What job categories do people searching African Curator jobs look for? The top searched job categories for African Curator jobs are:
Infographic showing various African Curator job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 86% In-person, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $72,627 per year, or $34.9 per hour.
Archeologist

Archeologist

Smithsonian Institution

Washington, DC • On-site, Remote

$102K - $133K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 27 days ago


Smithsonian Institution rating

8.6

Company rating: 8.6 out of 10

Based on 23 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

1st of 26 rated museums


Job description

Summary
This position is located at the National Museum of African American History & Culture (NMAAHC), Office of Curatorial Affairs. The NMAAHC is a national museum for the study and exhibition of African American history and culture. It acquires, maintains and preserves objects which document social, cultural, political, military, technological and scientific developments in the U.S. related to the African American experience.
Learn more about this agency
Duties
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The Archeologist provides assistance, oversight, and coordination of cultural resource compliance and is tasked with conducting archeological research for the Museum including working with Slave Wrecks Projects partners.
In this position, you will:
  • perform terrestrial and underwater archaeology field work that involves the safe documentation, excavation, and analysis of artifacts, features, and structures located on land and underwater to include performing surveys, digging and documenting sites that may contain artifacts related to the Slave Wrecks Project and other archeological research of the African diaspora.
  • author and submit for final review, discussion and approval, material for object labels, the Museum's website, interactive education devices, and justifications for acquisitions as well as a variety of other documents as determined by supervisor. Scholarly research may serve primarily internal purposes or may result in publications and exhibitions that make contributions to knowledge in the field.
  • develops and submit to supervisor or designated senior colleague research plans; provide oversight and coordinate anthropological and archaeological, and archival research for the Slave Wrecks Project network with its international partners as well as other archeological and research projects. Work in an international scope and partners with community stakeholders in conducting and shaping research.
  • present historical, cultural, and archeological information to a variety of audiences and community members including at meetings, conferences, technical training workshops and other programs and venues both internal to the Museum and externally both national and international.
  • participate as a Smithsonian scientific diver coordinating with the SI Scientific Dive Office to maintain compliance with requirements for necessary diving certifications professionalization. Seek opportunities to work with SI Scientific Dive community and leadership (i.e., workshop groups, board membership, etc.).

Requirements
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Conditions of employment
  • Requires career/career-conditional status or eligibility.
  • Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service.

Conditions of Employment
Qualification requirements, including one year time-in-grade at the next lower grade level for promotion candidates, must be met within 30 days of the job announcement closing date. See the 'Required Documents' section for additional information.
For information on qualification requirements, see Qualification Standards Handbook for General Schedule Positions viewable on OPM Website.
Qualifications
Basic Qualifications:
  1. Degree that included 3 semester hours each in the following course areas:
    • History of archeology.
    • Archeology of a major geographical area such as North America or Africa.
    • Regional archeology, archeological cultures, or sites in a specific part or portion of a major geographical area to acquire or develop a foundation for regional specialization for professional development.
    • Theory and methods of archeology. Methods include, but are not limited to, typology, classification, sampling, cultural evolution, diffusion, dating, and analytical techniques.
    • Archeological field school, to provide a basic understanding of theoretical and practical approaches to research design implementation, field preservation techniques, and report preparation by participation in actual field work.
      AND
    • Six semester hours of related course work in:
      • geography, geology, or cultural geography;
      • history, historiography, or historical archeology;
      • environmental studies;
      • scientific writing (nonfiction English composition); and/or
      • surveying;

      AND
    • Archeological field school. OR

Combination of education and experience. OR,
Four years of archeological work experience that demonstrated a thorough knowledge of the fundamental principles and theories of professional archeology. The work experience must have included archeology field experience, which may inclued that gained in an archeological field school.
In addition to the basic qualification requirement above:
Experience: You qualify for this position if you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 level in the Federal Service. For this position, specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience conducting research on terrestrial and underwater archeological fieldwork on shipwrecks and cultural landscapes; producing publications, programs, associated with the Slave Wrecks Project and other related archaeological efforts; participating in public service efforts; serving as a consultant; and answering public inquiries.
Your resume must be no more than two (2) pages and should clearly demonstrate how your experience aligns with the responsibilities and specialized experience required for this position. Do not copy language directly from the vacancy announcement, as you will be deemed ineligible for consideration. Instead, provide detailed, descriptive information about your actual experience.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Part-time and/or unpaid experience related to this position will be considered to determine the total number of years and months of experience. Be sure to note the number of paid or unpaid hours worked each week.
In an effort to streamline our hiring process, SI employees whose current position of record is in the same job series (0193) and who are in a Federal competitive service appointment as this advertised position, are not required to submit a transcript with your application package. However, if selected, you will be required to provide a copy of your transcript before your start date in the position.
Time-in-Grade Requirements: Under competitive merit promotion procedures, any individual who is currently holding, or who has held within the previous 52 weeks, a General Schedule position under a non-temporary appointment in the competitive or excepted service, must meet "time-in-grade" requirements (have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade of the grade for which you are applying).
Education
  1. Degree that included 3 semester hours each in the following course areas:
    • History of archeology.
    • Archeology of a major geographical area such as North America or Africa.
    • Regional archeology, archeological cultures, or sites in a specific part or portion of a major geographical area to acquire or develop a foundation for regional specialization for professional development.
    • Theory and methods of archeology. Methods include, but are not limited to, typology, classification, sampling, cultural evolution, diffusion, dating, and analytical techniques.
    • Archeological field school, to provide a basic understanding of theoretical and practical approaches to research design implementation, field preservation techniques, and report preparation by participation in actual field work.
      AND
    • Six semester hours of related course work in:
      • geography, geology, or cultural geography;
      • history, historiography, or historical archeology;
      • environmental studies;
      • scientific writing (nonfiction English composition); and/or
      • surveying;

      AND
    • Archeological field school. OR,

Combination of educatio and experience, OR,
Four years of archeological work experience that demonstrated a thorough knowledge of the fundamental principles and theories of professional archeology. The work experience must have included archeology field experience, which may include that gained in an archeological field school.
Additional information
This position is not included in the bargaining unit.
Recruitment Incentive: Recruitment incentive(s) may be authorized for this position. However, approval for incentives are contingent upon various availability. If authorized, certain incentives will require the incumbent to sign a service agreement to remain in the Federal government for a certain time period.
Note: This statement does not imply nor guarantee an incentive will be offered and paid.
Selections may be made for vacancies across the Smithsonian Institution (SI). By applying to this position, you agree to allow your application and other personal information to be shared with one or more SI hiring officials for employment consideration for same/similar positions within the location(s) identified in this announcement.
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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
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The Smithsonian offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, vacation and sick leave, holidays, health/life insurance, accident insurance, and excellent retirement program options.
Please see Benefits at https://www.si.edu/OHR/benefits for a complete description.
Flexible Spending Accounts - https://www.fsafeds.com/
Health Insurance - http://www.opm.gov/insure/health/index.asp
Leave - http://www.opm.gov/oca/leave/index.asp
Life Insurance - http://www.opm.gov/insure/life/index.asp
Long Term Care Insurance - http://www.ltcfeds.com
Retirement Program - https://www.opm.gov/retirement-services/

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