Fellowship

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The Art Bridges Fellow at the Philadelphia Museum of Art will be part of the inaugural cohort of the Art Bridges Fellows Program, a nationwide program that is dedicated to offering foundational learning and career development opportunities for individuals from traditionally underrepresented groups in the museum field.

The three-year Art Bridges Fellowship at the Philadelphia Museum of Art (PMA) will provide a motivated individual the opportunity to work with the staff of the museum’s Conservation Division, gaining professional experience in preparation for a career as a conservator, museum collections care specialist, curator, or other museum professional. Working under the direction of experienced conservators, the Fellow will receive a comprehensive introduction to the varied activities involved in the preservation and restoration of a large museum’s diverse collection of art and design. The Art Bridges Fellow will primarily work with and learn from Conservation staff. A focus throughout the fellowship will be the Fellow’s participation in conservation activities related to the Art Bridges Initiative in Pennsylvania.

The Conservation Division works in close coordination with other departments across the museum—Curatorial, Registrar, Facilities, Education, Digital Resources and Content Strategy, and Development, among others—and the Fellow will be exposed to a broad landscape of museum interests and functions. The Art Bridges Initiative is a partnership between the PMA and eight other museums across the Commonwealth. Its goal is to engage diverse audiences in American art through special exhibitions that draw from the Philadelphia Museum of Art collections.

The Fellow will enjoy the support of the PMA Fellows Group, which provides early-career informational resources and opportunities for interaction with other PMA fellows pursuing careers in museum work. Additionally, the Fellow will be mentored by members of the museum’s senior staff. The term of appointment for this Fellowship will be three years beginning July 11, 2022 and ending July 10, 2025.

Specifically, you will:

Assist with ongoing collection preservation activities such as environmental monitoring light levels
Support lab maintenance activities, including records management, such as sample logs and chemical inventories, and preparing materials for conservation treatment
Help test materials for stability and suitability for object display or treatment
Participate in conservation examinations and condition assessments of works of art, including potential loans for the Art Bridges Initiative in Pennsylvania, and in scientific research, treatment, preparation, packing, shipping, and installation activities as opportunities arise
Carry out conservation treatments under the discretion and direction of museum conservators
Engage in museum audience and community outreach to communicate and help promote the value and relevance of cultural heritage study and preservation
Attend two Art Bridges Fellows convenings in Bentonville, Arkansas, each year, including a month-long residency and orientation from July 11 to August 5, 2022
Other duties as assigned

Your background and experience include:

Interest in a museum-field career
Bachelor’s degree; introductory science coursework advantageous
Art studio or craft skills
Strong writing and communication skills
Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to meet deadlines
Demonstrated ability to work successfully with others in a team environment, or independently, as required

Position and Compensation Details:

The initial salary for this position is $40,560
This position is full-time, exempt, and 35 hours per week
This position is part of the AFSCME Local 397 bargaining unit
COVID-19 vaccination required
Relocation, professional development, and other activities will be supported
Benefits outlined under “What we offer”