Metropolitan Opera Association Reviews

Pros

Too many days off we need manpower

Cons

Handling of vacations handling of days

Pros

Great location Access to the performing arts

Cons

Not full time Increase workload without a pay increase

Pros

My team was wonderful and I thoroughly enjoyed working with them. Additionally, this is a wonderful producing organization with a dedicated audience. Despite the occasional abusive patron (who was always dealt with by a senior staff member), the people are all lovely. Also, high prestige in the arts world. If you have the Met on your resume, doors fly open.

Cons

Poor pay, especially for NYC. Leadership has no interest in the advancement of entry level/management level staff which leads to extremely high turnover and burn out. Almost every other arts org in the city pays better. Yes, there is prestige working for the Met Opera but that doesn't keep the lights on and the bellies full. Siloed teams makes working across departments impossible.

Pros

Prestige, and the chance to be near opera stars.

Cons

The rapid turnover at this place says it all. Zero vertical mobility, micromanagers galore, top-down autocracy with tacky, clueless Peter Gelb presiding over everything, pretend efforts to overcome a legacy of racist productions… and everyone is underpaid and knows it, so virtually no one is pleasant to be around. Accept a job here and I guarantee you’ll be looking to leave within six months.

Pros

Cheap Tickets Being at the MET

Cons

There tends to be a great deal of micromanagement

Pros

-Recognizable brand -Prestige -Kind Staff (all Security, Mailroom, Maintenance. Not management)

Cons

-Horrible pay -Competition between departments creates warring fiefdoms -Insane deadlines. Everything is always needed asap then you never hear of it again. -Back biting at every turn -Classist to the point of it being almost comical.

Pros

Getting tickets to the shows was a cool perk.

Cons

Seriously think twice before you decide to spend your time and energy working at the Metropolitan opera. The development department can be quite toxic, especially toward lower level staff. The head of the department expects far too much from her employees and pays next to nothing. I have watched her turn on people and use a tone with them that is never appropriate in the work place. The rest of the department does nothing and just turns a blind eye to the bad behavior. There is very little care toward any of the junior staff. They see anyone who is a coordinator or below as dispensable. There is a huge issue with delegation and piling work on these lower level staff because none of the higher ups actually know how to do anything. The HR department is useless and there were many days where I felt helpless and defeated. There are some very kind people that I met while working here but they cannot make up for the bad ones who control everything. I know it is appealing to get to say that you work at the Metropolitan opera but believe me, that is not a perk, it does not excuse the toxic environment. Quality of life is important. Consider that before you agree to work here.

Pros

Great, very friendly staff Good benefits Higher pay compared to other non-profit arts organizations

Cons

A lot of loopholes to jump through to get things done Can feel overwhelming at times

Pros

High level of art-making, access to great shows

Cons

Extremely disorganized, no infrastructure for staff, no system for advancement, unrealistic hours

Pros

1 hour lunch and dinner breaks, great coworkers,

Cons

80+ hour weeks, expensive cafeteria, poor air quality, bad union contract, lack of union support, low pay, last minute work calls, work most holidays, sometimes no lunch or dinner(paid), strict work environment, little room for advancement.