Mellon Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Art History Leadership

The Cleveland Museum of Art (CMA) and the Department of Art History and Art at Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) recognize that the growth of visionary and effective museum and academic leaders does not stop at graduation. Indeed, critical skills such as project management, effective administration, goal-setting, and professional accountability are often not integrated into graduate experiences. The Mellon Foundation is generously supporting a Postdoctoral Fellowship. Through this new position, the Joint Program between the CMA and CWRU intends to create a more holistic continuum of education that better prepares future academic and museum administrative leaders early in their careers. By working closely with leadership, staff, and faculty at the CMA and CWRU, the postdoctoral fellow will learn the academic and administrative intricacies of both museum and academic environments.

The fellow will play a key role as a member of the joint CMA/CWRU team planning the bi-annual Keithley symposium, named in honor of Nancy and Joseph Keithley; assist faculty, curators and students to develop CMA collections-based projects related to their Mellon coursework at CWRU; and coordinate the new short-term Mellon Visiting Fellowship for artists, scholars, or other thought leaders at CMA, among other activities. Work will include engagement with the larger community of Cleveland, and specifically communities of color from a public humanities viewpoint, according to which the agency and authority of the community is acknowledged. The fellowship is designed to help the fellow to craft plans for personal and professional development and growth, including through executive leadership coaching from the CWRU Weatherhead School of Management. Through these experiences, the postdoctoral fellow will play a significant role in shaping the future of the CMA/CWRU partnership and gain a significant grounding for a successful career in museums and/or academic institutions. The fellow will report to the Curator of Greek and Roman Art, who serves on both the Joint Program Committee and the Keithley Symposium Planning Committee. S/he may also work with curators, educators, and faculty in other areas of specialization, pending mutual interest.

Applicants should be recent PhD graduates in art history or a related field, with demonstrated interests in the intersections of museums and academic institutions. Applications should include a cover letter explaining the applicant’s interest and qualifications for this fellowship, together with a CV, writing sample, and contact information for three academic or professional references. The fellowship will begin in the fall of 2020 and provide a salary of $45,000 for a year, plus benefits. The fellowship has the potential to be extended by another year.

In employment, as in education, Case Western Reserve University is committed to Equal Opportunity and Diversity. Women, veterans, members of underrepresented minority groups, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Case Western Reserve University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the Office for Inclusion, Diversity and Equal Opportunity at 216.368.8877 to request a reasonable accommodation. Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for any applicant will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Due to the current Coronavirus pandemic, this is initially a remote position.

Applications will be reviewed beginning September 1 and later applications may be considered.