• Job Description

  Req#: JR-42856

  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:
  Our cross-disciplinary team consists of 31 members, representing Exhibition Design, Graphic Design, Lighting Design, Production and Project Management. The scope of the department is significant and includes approximately 50+ exhibitions and rotations per year, capital construction and buildings projects, as well as permanent collections and gallery reinstallation projects. In addition to exhibition materials, the department produces approximately 200+ communication design projects a year, including branded collateral and bespoke event identities. The studio provides design services for a building that is over 2 million square feet and contains objects from 17 curatorial departments, collaborating with over 50 departments to serve an average of over 7 million visitors annually.

  GENERAL STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:

  You will be an integral part of a collaborative 4-person team responsible for the lighting design of all exhibitions, gallery rotations, and permanent galleries throughout the Museum. You will work under the general supervision of the Design Manager, Lighting Design, and work closely with all members of each team, from concept design to installation. Responsibilities include installation and focusing equipment, creating project documentation (including light plots, focus charts, fixture schedules, and other design documentation as needed). Throughout all projects, you will be actively engaged in the creative process, from concept design to installation, applying best practices, strategic technology, and new creative strategies.

  This position must have the capacity to collaborate with all 30 members of the design department which includes Graphics, Exhibition Design, Production, and Operations. A successful candidate will thrive in a dynamic, energetic and positive atmosphere and be able to communicate effectively and diplomatically with a broad range of stakeholders and consultants. The Lighting Designer will work actively with the lighting team and all design team members to realize lighting design for all shows at the museum, managing large and small shows independently under the direction of the Design Manager. This position would mentor junior members of the team, and manage a complex workflow with multiple project schedules. Technical and rendering skills are required to develop, present, test, and document design ideas and installations, including creating design documents and a familiarity with construction bid packages and custom millwork detailing. The Lighting Designer should be able to specify equipment and be familiar with lighting distributors, vendors, and manufacturers for sourcing and purchasing.

  Please submit a portfolio with your application.

  PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:

  • Design lighting in collaboration with internal design team and external stakeholders to realize multiple projects at a range of scales

  • Install and focus lighting for all projects, including exhibitions, rotations, and gallery upgrades

  • Provide cost estimates for equipment and timelines for workload, to be reviewed by Design Manager, LD

  • Source and procure lamps and lighting equipment needs for individual projects

  • Consult on lighting in collaboration with conservation for light level requirements, UV protection, and color temperature, and other art-relating lighting concerns

  • Produce appropriate presentation material, (drawings, renderings, specifications) for relevant exhibitions

  • Conduct visual research and concept development

  • Maintain installation documentation in the form of spreadsheets, light plots, focus charts, or other means

  • Maintain and organize shared workspaces and dedicated storage areas

  • Other duties as assigned

  EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Lighting Design, Architecture, Theater, Fine Arts or related field; MFA preferred

  • 3-7 years of experience in lighting design or related field, preferably in the arts

  • Experience working around art, or previous art handling experience a plus

  • Ability to read and draft design drawings including reflected ceiling plans, light plots, and focus charts

  • Experience with lighting equipment, lamps, LED dimming & controls, and general lighting practices a must

  • Knowledge of Microsoft Office, Photoshop, InDesign and AutoCAD.

  • Comfortable with heights

  • Ability to lift objects overhead (e.g. light fixtures, access panels)

  • Ability to lift approx. 25-30 lbs.

  • Ability to operate a scissor lift during installation; safety training is mandatory and will be provided

  COMPENSATION RANGE:

  • Pay Range : $ 80,000 - 84,000 / 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

  Research shows that women and people from underrepresented groups often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We recognize that it is highly unlikely that someone meets 100% of the qualifications 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.

• About the company

  The Met presents over 5,000 years of art from around the world for everyone to experience and enjoy. The Museum lives in three iconic sites in New York City—The Met Fifth Avenue, The Met Breuer, and The Met Cloisters. Millions of people also take part ...

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