The Fabric Workshop and Museum (FWM), located in Center City, Philadelphia, is a contemporary art museum founded in 1977 as an experimental screen-printing residency program. FWM is easily accessible via public transit and is steps from Reading Terminal Market and blocks from Chinatown and historic City Hall.
Over the decades it has expanded contemporary artmaking practices with internationally renowned Artists-in-Residence working in collaboration with our studio staff. FWM has a collection of over 5,000 objects which have recently moved into our in-house storage—these objects range from large-scale sculptures, installations, multiples, yardage, and costumes. Working with the contents of this collection, FWM is offering the Collections Care Fellowship, an eight-month practical research opportunity intended to broaden the understanding of contemporary art practices through collections care, curatorial practice, and public programming. This opportunity is generously supported by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation’s Art Museum Futures Fund.
The Fellowship will primarily focus on the care and interpretation of the FWM Collection. This will include working with FWM’s Registrar on: digitizing and inputting paperwork, notes, and files related to objects into the collection management database; managing the proper storage of artwork; researching objects and the context in which they were made (i.e. scholarly publications, studio records, oral histories, exhibition and loan history).
The Fellow will also have an opportunity to work directly with FWM Curator and Director of Education to create an exhibition and public program related to their research and work with the collection. The Fellow will contribute to new, forward-thinking, multi-vocal interpretive strategies for the collection.
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, there is clearly a need to help get artists in the gig economy back into the workforce and provide professional training in the museum industry. For this opportunity, FWM is especially seeking individuals in the local creative economy who are currently unemployed or underemployed and who seek to strengthen their experience in museum work.
This Fellowship will take place from April 14 – December 17, 2021 and reports to the Registrar. The Fellowship is an onsite position and part time (21 hours per week over 3 days). The rate is $25/hr. The fellow would receive an FWM membership.
Responsibilities
The Fellow will learn how to, and assist Registrar, in the following areas as they pertain to the FWM Collection:
– Catalogue object information and data management
– Pack, crate, and condition reporting of artwork
– Other general collections management duties, as needed Conduct original research related to artworks Organize and digitize archives for public use
– Under the supervision of Director of Education and Curator, develop public programs and innovative interpretive strategies
– Assist Director of Education and Curator on the conception of a collections-based exhibition, slated for the Spring of 2022
Qualifications
– BA in art history or museum studies or have related research-based experience
– Creative thinker
– Practical knowledge of database programs
– Excellent organizational skills
– Experience in multi-faceted projects
– Self-motivated
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
Physical Demands and Work Environment:
– Continually required to stand
– Frequently required to walk
– Continually required to sit
– Frequently required to utilize hand and finger dexterity
– Frequently required to climb, balance, bend, stoop, kneel or crawl
– Continually required to talk or hear
– Frequently utilize visual acuity to operate equipment, read
technical information, and/or use a keyboard
– Occasionally required to lift/push/carry items less than 25 pounds/ up to 25 pounds/ up to 50 pounds/ more than 50 pounds
– Occasionally loud noise (examples: metal can manufacturing, large earth-moving equipment)
To Apply
Interested candidates should address a cover letter, resume, contact information for 3 references, and a brief description within the cover letter about how their work has been impacted by COVID-19 to hiring manager Justin Hall, Registrar, at hr@fabricworkshopandmuseum.org. Kindly include “Application: Collections Care Fellowship” in the subject line of your email. Application Deadline: March 7, 2021.
After applications are reviewed, selected applicants will be contacted for interviews. If you need assistance, contact Jessi Melcer, Human Resources Manager, at 215-561-8888 x234 or hr@fabricworkshopandmuseum.org.
