Museum Curator (IS-1015-13)

Smithsonian; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 122,000 - 158,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Employee benefits

Job summary

The Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, DC invites applications for a Museum Curator (IS-1015-13) with a focus on fashion history and traditional textiles. The role requires research leadership, curatorial development, and coordination with external partners to build canonical collections.

You will design exhibitions, publish scholarly work, and serve as a consultant on professional matters while advancing the museum's mission to

Qualifications

• Degree: museum work in African American history and culture or in an applicable subject‑matter field.
• Combination of education and experience – courses equivalent to a major, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
• Four years of experience that provides knowledge comparable to the 4‑year course of study in 1 above.

Responsibilities

• Independently initiate, develop, and participate in research programs that involve a systematic research approach to a problem area of considerable scope.
• Prepare for the publication of scholarly reports based on own work and collections and scholarly publications.
• Develop plans for the development of a pre-eminent African American fashion and traditional textiles collection.
• Coordinate exchange of objects, ideas, research, and information with museums, designers, artists, scholars and communities.
• Develop and oversee exhibitions focused on Black fashion, dress, textiles, and textile traditions within budgets and timelines.
• Review proposals, manuscripts, exhibition materials, and public-facing content related to Black fashion history.

Skills

Research skills

Scholarly writing

Public outreach

Education

Museum work in African American history and culture

Job description

Museum Curator (IS-1015-13)

Application Deadline: 16 October 2026

Department: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Washington, DC

Compensation: $121,785 - $158,322 / year

Description

OPEN DATE: 10/06/2026

CLOSING DATE: 10/16/2026 (This job will close once 100 applications are received which may be sooner than the closing date).

POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund

APPOINTMENT TYPE: Trust Indefinite

SCHEDULE: Full Time

DUTY LOCATION: Washington, DC

Position sensitivity and risk: Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

What are Trust Fund Positions?

Trust Fund positions are unique to the Smithsonian. They are paid for from a variety of sources, including the Smithsonian endowment, revenue from our business activities, donations, grants and contracts. Trust employees are not part of the civil service, nor does trust fund employment lead to Federal status. The salary ranges for trust positions are generally the same as for federal positions and in many cases trust and federal employees work side by side. Trust employees have their own benefit program, which may include Health, Dental & Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Transit/Commuter Benefits, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Annual and Sick Leave, Family Friendly Leave, 403b Retirement Plan, Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships, Museum Stores and Restaurants, Credit Union, Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (Child Care), Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care).

Conditions of Employment

• Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation for position designated.
• Complete a Probationary Period.
• Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.
• The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States. Proof of eligibility to work in U.S. is not required to apply.
• Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

Overview

The Smithsonian Institution is the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex, with 21 museums and the National Zoo. This position is in the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC). The National Museum of African AmericanHistory and Culture is a national museum for the study and exhibition of African American history and culture. The Museum Curator is in the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture and is located in the Office of Curatorial Culture.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Museum Curator provides scholarly research, defines and implements plans for development of a pre-eminent collection in African American history and culture, with specialty in fashion history and traditional textiles.

• Independently initiate, develop, and personally participate in research programs that characteristically involve a systematic research approach to a problem area of considerable scope.
• Prepare for the publication of scholarly reports of a descriptive and theoretical nature based on own field of work, study of collections, and scholarly publications.
• Perform formulation of new principles and development of major adjustments of existing concept; Interpret and relate the significance of results to other research findings.
• Define and implement plans for development of a pre-eminent African American fashion and traditional textiles collection.
• Research and documents exhibitions and artifacts and provide technical consultation during exhibit construction.
• Serve as expert and consultant on professional matters to other governmental agencies, colleagues, writers, educational institutions, research foundations and the public.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must possess the following basic requirements:

1. Degree: museum work in African American history and culture; or in an applicable subject‑matter field. OR
2. Combination of education and experience -- courses equivalent to a major, as shown in 1 above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. OR
3. Four years of experience that provided knowledge comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of the 4‑year course of study as shown in 1 above.

Unofficial transcripts are required at the time of application if you're utilizing education to qualify.

Education completed outside the United States must be deemed equivalent to higher education programs of U.S. Institutions by an organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. This documentation is the responsibility of the applicant and should be included as part of your application package.

• Independently initiate, develop, and conduct research projects of historical and cultural significance, with demonstrated expertise in Black fashion history, dress, textiles, and/or textile traditions.
• Coordinate the exchange of objects, ideas, research, and information with museums, collections, designers, artists, scholars, and communities related to Black fashion, dress, and textile history.
• Develop and oversee exhibitions and other curatorial projects focused on or incorporating Black fashion, dress, textiles, and textile traditions, within established budgets, timelines, and institutional policies.
• Review and evaluate research proposals, manuscripts, exhibition materials, and public-facing content related to Black fashion history, dress, textiles, and textile traditions.

Any false statement in your application may result in rejection of your application and may also result in termination after employment begins.

Join us in "Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery."

Resumes should include a description of your paid and non-paid work experience that is related to this job; starting and ending dates of job (month and year); and average number of hours worked per week.

What To Expect Next: Once the vacancy announcement closes, a review of your resume will be compared against the qualification and experience requirements related to this job. After review of applicant resumes is complete, qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager.

Relocation expenses are not paid.

The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact [e-mail]. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case‑by‑case basis. To learn more, please review the Smithsonian’s Accommodation Procedures (https://www.si.edu/OEO/IndividualswithDisabilities).

The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To review The Smithsonian's EEO program information, please click the following: https://www.si.edu/oeo