The Peabody Essex has emerged as a new and different kind of museum — one that creates a richer experience for visitors by bringing art, architecture and culture together in new ways, and by presenting art in the world in which it was made. Astonishingly, given the superlative quality and scope of museum holdings, the majority of collection areas had never been adequately exhibited. Most had not been exhibited at all. The Peabody Essex is now able to interpret its singular collection in ways that invite visitors to discover the inextricable connections that link artistic and cultural traditions, connections that have always influenced art and culture and that now characterize our lives in a global community. By presenting contemporary and historical work, the museum can help link the past and the present.

The Peabody Essex is one of the nation's major museums for Asian art, including Japanese, Chinese, Korean and Indian art, along with the finest collection of Asian Export art extant and 19th-century Asian photography. It presents the earliest collections of Native American and Oceanic art in the nation — all collections of exceptional standing. The historic houses and gardens, and American decorative art and maritime art collections provide an unrivaled spectrum of New England's heritage over 300 years.

Mission

The mission of the Peabody Essex Museum is to celebrate outstanding artistic and cultural creativity by collecting, stewarding, and interpreting objects of art and culture in ways that increase knowledge, enrich the spirit, engage the mind, and stimulate the senses. Through its exhibitions, programs, publications, media, and related activities, PEM strives to create experiences that transform people's lives by broadening their perspectives, attitudes, and knowledge of themselves and the wider world.

Summary

More than a decade ago, the Peabody Essex began a comprehensive campaign to conceptually and physically integrate, interpret and exhibit the full breadth of museum collections for the first time in its 200-year history.

The museum also set out to greatly enrich and enhance all its programs. During the last several years, the Peabody Essex has ranked among the top museums in the nation for collection acquisitions through purchase and gift. The institution's $194 million transformation resulted in the creation of a new and major museum, serving people in Greater Boston, New England, the nation and the world. At its opening in June 2003, its facilities ranked among the 25 largest art museums in the nation. The suite of new galleries dedicated to changing exhibitions is among the largest on the East Coast. As of 2015, the Peabody Essex Museum has distinguished itself as one of the fastest-growing art museums in North America.

Diversity

The presentation of Jacob Lawrence: The American Struggle brings timely focus to PEM’s efforts to promote an institutional culture of diversity and inclusion. As reported in a series of Mellon Foundation studies, diversity at many museums across the country—including PEM—falls short. PEM has made certain strides but acknowledges it still has important work to do. Curatorially, PEM actively acquires, commissions and presents artwork by self-identifying women, LGBTQ+ and people of color. And, for the last ten years, PEM’s landmark Native American Fellowship program has helped cultivate the next generation of diverse museum leadership. Currently, PEM is developing a new strategic plan that embraces the values and practice of diversity and inclusion to enrich the employee and visitor experience. We hope you’ll join us as we step into this bright future.

Employment

We're distinctive
Art museums are fabulous places to work. There’s the art, of course. Plus the artists, cultural programs, art making, film series and workshops. At the Peabody Essex Museum, there’s even more. Every employee in every department contributes to the PEM experience. Every person helps fulfill the museum’s mission to celebrate outstanding artistic and cultural creativity in ways that transform people’s lives.

PEM recently embarked on a new phase of a growth and investment that demands the most creative and innovative individuals. Help us continue our unrivaled tradition of success as we create a new 21st-century art museum experience.