Curatorial Museum Fellow – MoMA

The Studio Museum in Harlem and The Museum of Modern Art are accepting applications for one additional fellow position in their third Museum Fellowship Collaboration. The fellow will spend nine months at MoMA and one year at the Studio Museum.

The museum fellows, under the direction of a curatorial 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, professional development, and contribution to academic discourse within each institution. The fellows will contemplate the role of museums in contemporary society through the exploration of the mission and collections of these partner institutions.

The curatorial fellow 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 fellow 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.

This fellow would be placed at The Museum of Modern Art in their first year, working with the Department of Media and Performance. At The Studio Museum in Harlem, the fellow will be assigned to work on exhibitions or permanent collection.

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. Candidate should provide essential research for histories of early 20th-century music and performance.

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, dance studies, comparative literature, film, visual culture, or a related field. Archival research skills and experience highly preferred.

Previous involvement within an art community or art 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 research and written communication 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, three 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:

1. A cover letter specifying your interest in either curatorial or public programs, highlighting a particular area of professional or scholarly interest
2. Your résumé
3. A writing sample of no more than five pages

Application deadline: November 11, 2019

(Please note: All supporting materials must be received by this date)

Fellowship begins: Mid-December 2019

Fellowship ends: September 3, 2021

The Museum of Modern Art is an equal opportunity employer and considers all candidates for employment regardless of race, color, sex, age, national origin, creed, disability, marital status, sexual orientation or political affiliation.