Curatorial Fellow

Title: Curatorial Fellow
Fellowship Program: Curatorial Fellowship for Diversity in the Arts
Department: Visual Arts
Reports to: Curator and Associate Director of Programs, Visual Arts

Program Overview and Background: Established by the Walker Art Center in the early 1990s, this 2-year fellowship was created to proactively address issues of diversity and disparity in the museum profession, and is part of the Walker’s continued commitment to encourage greater inclusion and access to groups historically underrepresented in museums and visual arts organizations. Through this fellowship, the Walker seeks to attract talented scholars and emerging curators who are committed to gaining professional experience training within a contemporary art institution, and developing the skills needed to assume leadership roles within the field.

The Curatorial Fellow works alongside the Visual Arts curators and with colleagues across the institution to support in all phases of exhibition development, including research; checklist development; lender and artist relations; publication development; writing texts for exhibition interpretation, acquisitions, online content, press and promotional materials; exhibition floorplans; gallery installation; and development of interpretive programs related to exhibitions. The Curatorial Fellow also assists with other departmental needs including acquisitions research, preparation for presentations, leading tours, and donor relations. In addition to these responsibilities, the Curatorial Fellow will participate in special projects including internal workgroups, residencies, and artistic programs that advance the Walker’s creative leadership, interdisciplinary mission, and commitment to scholarship.

Position specifics:

• Duration: May 1, 2019- April 30, 2021 (2 years)
• Full-time, 35/hours per week (requires some weekend and evening hours)
• $35,000/year; excellent benefits offered.
• $2,000 travel allocation per year for relocation and/or professional development activities

Qualifications and experience:

• Degree in art history, museum studies, or a related field (M.A. preferred); specialization in contemporary (post-1960) art; superior academic achievement.
• 1+ years of hands-on curatorial or related experience required.
• Excellent directed and independent research skills.
• Strong written and verbal skills; demonstrated ability to write for general audiences.
• Well-organized, detail-oriented, and proactive.
• Committed to a career in curatorial work and/or museum administration
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), Microsoft Outlook, and other standard computer programs.
• Ability to work simultaneously on multiple projects in a demanding, fast-paced work environment;
• Flexibility in meeting shifting demands and priorities with proven ability to meet multiple deadlines.
• Foreign language skills (written and verbal) are desirable
• International candidates must be in possession of a valid US work visa prior to the start of the fellowship and for the entire fellowship period.

Application materials required (PDF or MS Word format only); please apply directly at walkerart.org/jobs for consideration and make sure to include:

• a letter of interest
• resume
• transcripts (unofficial)
• 3 letters of reference (scanned and attached)
• Writing samples:
  • excerpt from thesis or other academic writing sample is preferred; must be less than 10 pages;
  • short, published general audience professional writing sample (e.g. wall text, gallery guide, project related blog post, etc.).

Application Deadline: March 15th, 2019

The Walker is committed to being an inclusive workplace. Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the communities and audiences we serve. We are dedicated to fair and inclusive employment practices for all individuals.