Latino Museum Studies Program Summer Fellowship at the Smithsonian Institute for Interpreting and Representing Latino Cultures

About:

The Latino Museum Studies Program (LMSP) Summer Graduate Fellowship provides a national forum for graduate students to share, explore and discuss the representation and interpretation of Latino cultures in the context of the American experience. It provides a unique opportunity to meet and engage with Smithsonian professionals, scholars from renowned universities, and with leaders in the museum field.

Created in 1994 as Smithsonian Institute for Interpreting and Representing Latino Cultures (SIIRLC), LMSP seeks to increase the representation, documentation, research, knowledge, and interpretation of Latino art, culture, and history. The program focuses on developing museum practice within a framework of Latino cultural studies and is offered in two components.

The first component consists of a series of lectures, workshops, and behind-the-scenes tours at the Smithsonian. Curators, researchers, and other museum professionals as well as invited guest lecturers, will lead interactive tours and discussions providing participants a unique opportunity to see and hear first-hand the best practices in museums and cultural centers.

The second component consists of a practicum project within a selected Smithsonian museum. Applicants are matched to a practicum based on their background and experience, and how well the project aligns to their future goals.

Who Should Apply:

Graduate students enrolled or engaged in the fields of Latino art, culture, and history (and are interested in pursuing a museum career) are encouraged to apply. Relevant majors include but are not limited to art history, visual arts, digital arts, cultural anthropology, arts management, performing arts, and related studies. 

Application Process:

Deadlines vary each year. The following dates apply to the 2022 program. Dates for the 2023 program will be updated in late 2022/early 2023:

Program dates: Monday, July 11 to Friday, August 19, 2022.

Deadline to apply is 11:59 p.m. EDT Monday, April 11, 2022.

Notifications will be made in late May.

Applications are submitted through the Smithsonian Online Academic Appointment System (SOLAA).

Download the practicum descriptions.

Download the application checklist (PDF) for your reference.

Program staff will hold an Open House to answer questions about the program and application process on:

  • Wednesday, March 16 at 3:00pm ET. Register here.

For any last-minute questions about your application, program staff will be available for drop-in “Office Hours” on the following dates:

Participation is free.

2022 program will be held virtually. The travel and housing accommodations won’t be available. 

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