SFMOMA’s Fisher Collection Curatorial Fellowship seeks to build a deep reservoir of knowledge about works of art in the Fisher Collection. The program provides one post-doctoral candidate with a two-year, full-time opportunity to extend his or her range of academic expertise and research skills by immersion in the work of the Painting and Sculpture Department and direct contact with objects in the Fisher Collection. Comprising more than 1,100 works by 185 artists, the Doris and Donald Fisher Collection has particular strength in American Pop Art, Minimalism, and Abstraction, as well as significant holdings of postwar German painting and photography. SFMOMA has forged a one hundred year partnership with the Fisher family to share this extraordinary collection with the public. Because the collection has been privately held, it represents significant opportunities for new research, publications, and exhibitions.

Candidates are invited to propose a specific research project or area of focus. The proposal must be based on artists and works in the Fisher Collection. The fellow will pursue independent research founded on this proposal as well as research projects directed by the museum’s staff. The fellow will assemble portfolios of findings which assist in the development of exhibition projects, interpretative strategies, and publications relating to the Fisher Collection. Additionally, the fellow will work with curatorial and editorial staff at the museum to write, edit, and publish on the museum’s website one or more scholarly essays or articles on artists and artworks in the Fisher Collection. The fellow also will contribute to and participate in the general activities of the department.

Fellow will work 35 hrs. per week, be supervised by Andrew W. Mellon Associate Curator Sarah Roberts, and have regular check-ins to discuss progress. Fellows will work with other Painting and Sculpture curators as needed and attend department meetings as well as project-specific meetings, and have access to the full collections, library, archives, and all collections-related resources of SFMOMA. Fellowship start date is July 1, 2017 and end date is June 30, 2019

Responsibilities:

• Conduct independent and staff-directed research on artists and artworks represented in the Fisher Collection. Compile research portfolios with resources such as summaries of research findings, bibliographies, and exhibition histories.
• Regularly present progress on research to various constituencies within the museum, including the curatorial and conservation departments and museum leadership.
• Contribute to the activities of the Painting and Sculpture Department. These responsibilities might include, but are not limited to presenting lectures and gallery tours, writing interpretive labels, writing short website texts, and augmenting or maintaining thorough documentation of works of art in the collection.
• Develop and maintain advantageous relationships with the community of artists, critics, dealers, museum colleagues, professional organizations, collectors, trustees and friends of the Museum.
• Write one or more articles or scholarly essays on the Fisher Collection for sfmoma.org.
• Facilitate Object Study sessions of Fisher Collection works by higher education groups at the Collections Center

Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Art History
• Reading knowledge of German, French, or Italian
• Museum experience a plus

Compensation:

SFMOMA will offer compensation of $27/hr. Fellows are eligible for benefits and paid time off, including holidays, sick time, and prorated vacation time. Funds are also available for pre-approved research-related travel.

To apply, please submit:

• Full curriculum vitae of education, professional experience, honors, awards, and publications
• Project proposal including:
  • A statement, not to exceed one thousand words, specifying your proposed topic or area of research within the Fisher Collection and stating what you hope to accomplish during the fellowship period
  • Tentative schedule of work during the fellowship period
• A writing sample such as a journal article, seminar paper, or critical or interpretive essay
• List of any other fellowships or grants for which you have applied in the same period

Information about the Fisher Collection at SFMOMA:

• SFMOMA recently published highlights of the collection in: Neal Benezra and Gary Garrels, The Fisher Collection at SFMOMA. San Francisco: San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, 2016.

• Information about the Fisher Collection may also be accessed online at:
  • https://www.sfmoma.org/artists-artworks/fisher-collection/
  • https://www.sfmoma.org/search/?q=fisher+collection&sort=date_sort_earliest&type=artwork

Applications must be received by January 16, 2017. Applicants will be notified by February 28, 2017.

For complete position descriptions, requirements, and to apply, please visit https://sfmoma.snaphire.com/jobdetails?jobmc=22099IND&source=IND

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
151 Third Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
United States of America
www.sfmoma.org