Independent Contractor Textile Conservation Jobs

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 preservation, conservation, technical study, research, and installation of the Museum’s collection of approximately 36,000 textiles in twelve curatorial departments, stored primarily in 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 all periods and cultures. The Department sets and follows guidelines for documentation, care, handling, display, and storage of the textiles and plays a vital role in The Met’s Integrated Pest Management (IPM). The Department of Textile Conservation at The Metropolitan Museum of Art upholds the highest professional standards in the conservation of the Museum’s collection of textiles.

GENERAL STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:

As the Assistant Conservator, you will document and treat the Savonnerie carpet 58.75.129 from the European Sculpture and Decorative Arts textile collection. The conservation work will take place in the Wrightsman Gallery 526, where visitors will be able to observe the treatment in progress during the upcoming A King’s Carpet: Louis XIV and the Savonnerie exhibition, Sept 8, 2026–March 5, 2028. Although no direct interaction with the public is expected, most of the work will occur in the gallery.

You will collaborate and maintain regular communication with the textile conservator responsible for the ESDA collection, and preparing for gallery installation and/or storage. After completing the treatment of carpet 58.75.129, you will continue with the treatment of Savonnerie carpet 1976.155.114, along with related Savonnerie carpets from the collection.

This is a position with an established end-date or time frame. Time frame will begin upon hire: One Year

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:

• Expected to perform conservation treatment while in a public space during the Museum’s open hours in respect to the Museum's ethical protocol.

• Perform examination and documentation of artwork following existing protocol and utilizing appropriate equipment.

• Participate in the installation of the exhibition with an entire team of conservators, technicians, and art handlers.

• Conduct regular vacuuming of artwork as a preventive measure.

• Ability to physically participate in treatment process, regular kneeling, bending and lifting (Including rolling and unrolling from the floor)

• Ensure safe handling of art and proper maintenance of conservation equipment, supplies and workspace.

• Other related duties.

REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's degree from a recognized Textile Conservation program.

• 2 years of Experience in handling textiles and performing conservation/restoration.

• Understanding of carpet weaving technique is highly recommended.

• Manual and hand skills required to complete assigned tasks in an efficient manner.

• Excellent examination skills with a knowledge of conservation methodologies.

• Basic photography and proficiency in using imaging programs for documentation.

• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.

• Ability to physically participate in conservation treatments, including hand skills, lifting and movement of objects.

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team with the ability to receive/give productive feedback/criticism.

COMPENSATION RANGE:

• Pay Range: $80,000.00 - $85,000.00 / 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.