Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Curatorial Fellow in Arts of Africa, Islamic Art
Institution: Art Institute of Chicago
Deadline: 20 February 2026 (rolling until filled)
Location: Chicago, IL, United States
Contract: Full-time, On-site
Duration: 3 years (2026–2029)
The Art Institute of Chicago is seeking a Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Curatorial Fellow in Arts of Africa, Islamic Artfor a three-year, full-time fellowship within the Department of Arts of Africa. The fellowship focuses on advancing new research and collection development related to artistic traditions grounded in Africa’s Islamic heritage, while critically examining how Islamic art has been defined within Western museum contexts.
The Fellow will explore understudied areas of African Islamic artistic production, working collaboratively with curators to research, document, and expand the museum’s holdings and narratives. The position offers the opportunity to take a leadership role in shaping new research directions and interpretative frameworks within the department.
Fellowship Overview
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Three-year postdoctoral curatorial fellowship (2026–2029)
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Home base in the Department of Arts of Africa
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Collaborative work across multiple museum departments
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Flexible start date (optimally late summer/fall 2026)
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Includes benefits, a modest relocation allowance, research/professional development stipend, and project support funds
Key Responsibilities
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Conduct object-based, archival, and comparative research on Islamic artworks in the Arts of Africa collection
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Update object files and database records for online publication
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Write didactic materials for galleries and/or the museum website
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Develop proposals for gallery rotations and temporary exhibitions related to the fellowship project
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Identify and support potential loans, gifts, and acquisitions to strengthen underrepresented areas of the collection
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Build relationships with local and international scholars, curators, critics, collectors, and institutions, including on the African continent
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Contribute to publications, presentations, scholarly convenings, and public-facing projects
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Collaborate with other departments, including Textiles, Arts of Asia, Conservation and Science, and the Research Center
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Participate in research travel, conferences, and art fairs
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Develop independent research projects supported by the museum
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must have:
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An advanced degree (Master’s level or higher) in art history, Islamic studies, Middle Eastern studies, African studies, history, anthropology, or a closely related field
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A strong research focus on Islamic art produced on the African continent
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Reading fluency in Arabic (required)
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Strong interest in museum-based research and curatorial practice
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Excellent writing skills and strong collaborative and communication abilities
Additional language competencies relevant to the candidate’s area of expertise are highly desirable.
