Curatorial Fellow (Photography)

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Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The position will close once a candidate is selected or a robust applicant pool has been established.

The Philadelphia Museum of Art is Seeking a Horace W. Goldsmith Curatorial Fellow (Photography)

Location: Philadelphia, PA
Job Type: Full-Time, Exempt, Fellowship (35 hours per week)
Salary: $44,546 annually
Start Date: Fall 2025

How You Will Contribute

The Horace W. Goldsmith Curatorial Fellowship provides professional mentorship and extensive firsthand experience with curatorial work in photography. Reporting to the head of the department, the fellow is a fully integrated member of the Prints, Drawings, and Photographs (PDP) department, contributing to the interpretation, care, display, and growth of the museum’s collection of over 162,000 works on paper, including approximately 26,000 photographs. The fellow will also coordinate access to the department’s study room, supporting visits from classes, researchers, and community members.

Responsibilities

Manage an ongoing photography collections assessment to identify duplicates and potential candidates for deaccession.
Assist curators with exhibition and publication planning, management, and implementation, including serving as lead organizer for one or more rotations from the permanent collection.
Coordinate appointments and activities involving the Abigail Rebecca Cohen Study Room, including outreach, scheduling, art movement, record-keeping, and hosting visits.
Respond to inquiries about the collection.
Prepare condition reports and conduct preliminary research for new acquisitions in consultation with paper conservators.
Contribute to preparations for bi-annual meetings of the Prints, Drawings, and Photographs Committee, including writing acquisition justifications and presenting on assigned topics.
Perform departmental administrative tasks and other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Master’s degree in art history or an adjacent field required; graduate experience beyond an M.A. preferred.
Demonstrated commitment to museum work with a strong interest in photography.
Ability to work collaboratively and manage multiple projects with competing priorities.
Prior experience in a museum or similar art institution preferred.

Position and Compensation Details

Salary: $44,546 annually.
Full-time, exempt position (35 hours per week).
Two-year fellowship with potential for a third-year extension.
Part of AFSCME Local 397 bargaining unit.
Reports to The Brodsky Curator of Photographs and Head of Prints, Drawings, and Photographs.

Physical Requirements

Able to remain stationary for extended periods and use standard office and museum equipment.
Able to move boxes with works on paper up to 25 pounds.
Must be able to access most public and staff areas of the museum campus.
Background check required after conditional job offer.

Institutional Requirements

Uphold professional standards of the field and act in the museum’s best interests.
Adhere to the museum’s code of ethics, employee handbook, and conflict-of-interest policies.
Demonstrate respect for colleagues, visitors, and the diversity of the museum community.
Maintain confidentiality and follow all museum protocols, procedures, rules, and policies.

What We Offer

Employee Perks:

Free general admission to the museum for employees and immediate family members.
Discounted guest tickets and memberships.
Special staff tours and presentations by curatorial and conservation teams.
Discounts at the museum restaurant, cafés, retail, and online stores.

Benefits:

Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
Fully paid short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance.
Health savings or flexible spending account program.
Retirement savings program with museum match.
Paid vacation, personal days, sick days, and holidays.

Eligibility for certain benefits depends on employee’s schedule and tenure.

Commitment to an Inclusive Workplace

The Philadelphia Museum of Art actively seeks to employ a diverse group of people who embody its organizational values. The institution welcomes and encourages applications from individuals of all backgrounds, particularly those from marginalized and underrepresented groups in the museum field. The museum is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship or immigration status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected status.

Image credits: By Andrew Parlette from Elkridge,MD, US – Philadelphia Museum of Art, CC BY 2.0,