About the Fellowship
The Studio Museum in Harlem and The Museum of Modern Art are accepting applications for the third Museum Fellowship Collaboration. Each museum will accept three museum fellows—two for curatorial departments and one for public programs. The fellows will spend one year at each museum, then rotate to the partner institution for the completion of the two-year program.
The museum fellows, under the direction of either the curatorial department or public programs department, will work independently and collaboratively with museum staff to gain in-depth experience through practical learning opportunities. This joint fellowship will develop the next generation of museum professionals, and will offer insight into the daily workings of a museum through hands-on work, workshops, public programs, professional development, and contribution to academic discourse within each institution. The fellows will contemplate the role of museums in contemporary society through exploration of the mission and collections of these partner institutions.
Curatorial Fellows
The curatorial fellows will participate in the essential activities of a curatorial department, which may include assisting the staff in the following areas: collection management, archives, acquisitions, loans, exhibition research, catalogue production, and administration. Under the guidance of the curatorial and administrative staff, the fellows may also assist in the logistics, research, planning, and organization of activities and programming generated in their assigned department, in addition to various research and administrative aspects designed to foster future involvement in the field of art history and curatorial endeavors.
At the Studio Museum, the fellows will be assigned to either exhibitions or permanent collection. While there will be points of selective overlap in projects and research, each fellow will report to the Associate Curator, Exhibitions, or the Associate Curator, Permanent Collection, contingent on assigned track. At The Museum of Modern Art, the fellow will be assigned to either the Department of Drawings and Prints or the Department of Painting and Sculpture.
The ideal candidate will be willing to embrace the full scope of tasks relevant to curatorial work, from photocopying to primary research on artists. They should be prepared to be an active collaborator with a wide range of staff across the museum, and comfortable working in a professional office environment.
Requirements
The Museum Fellowship is a paid, two-year employment opportunity for individuals in the early stages of their career. The ideal museum fellow will have a baccalaureate or graduate-level degree, with a concentration in art history, curatorial studies, Africana studies, visual culture, or a related field. Previous involvement within an arts community or arts institution and a desire to work in a museum are also important. Candidates for the Museum Fellowship will be reviewed through a competitive, open process.
Excellent written communications skills are required, along with the ability to function in a fast-paced environment within a team. Applicants must be able to manage multiple projects at once with keen attention to detail, adaptability, and a positive attitude.
Applicants must be members of historically underrepresented groups in the curatorial and museum profession, have a demonstrated interest in curating, programming, writing, and research, and possess knowledge of the contemporary art world.
The Museum Fellowship includes health benefits, two weeks paid vacation per year, and an additional $2,000 to cover travel expenses for an approved research trip related to the fellow’s field of interest.
Application Process
As part of the application process, you must include:
- A cover letter specifying your interest in either curatorial or public programs, highlighting a particular area of professional or scholarly interest
- Your résumé
- Two letters of recommendation (these can be sent directly to jobs@moma.org by your recommenders)
- A writing sample of no more than five pages
Application deadline: June 7, 2019
(Please note: All supporting materials must be received by this date)
Fellowship begins: September 16, 2019
Fellowship ends: September 3, 2021
