Curatorial Research Fellowship: Collections Catalog Researcher at The Preservation Society of Newport County

2024-2025 The Preservation Society of Newport County Curatorial Research Fellowship –

Comprehensive Collections Catalog Researcher 

Job Summary

The Preservation Society of Newport County offers annual Residential Research Fellowships to scholars and emerging professionals, designed to provide dedicated time and resources for comprehensive projects relevant to the organization’s current needs in areas such as fine art, decorative art, material culture, landscape design, horticulture, social history, and historic preservation. The Preservation Society of Newport County Residential Fellowship is an opportunity to advance scholarship and gain specialized training/experience needed for future and emerging professionals seeking to pursue careers in academia, museums, historic preservation, historic houses and landscapes, or other cultural institutions.

Our Collections:

The Preservation Society of Newport County protects, preserves, and presents a remarkable collection of eleven historic house museums spanning the history of Newport from the Colonial period through the Gilded Age. Our properties include Hunter House (c.1748), Kingscote (1841), Chateau-sur-Mer (1852), Green Animals Topiary Garden (c.1860), Chepstow (1861), Isaac Bell House (1883), Marble House (1892), The Breakers (1895), The Breakers Stable and Carriage House (1895), The Elms (1901), and Rosecliff (1902). Housed within these architectural masterpieces are more than 60,000 artworks from all around the globe, dating from ancient times to the modern era.

Position Description

The 2024-2025 Curatorial Fellow will work closely with both the Chief Curator and Curator of Collections in support of the upcoming publication of a Collections Catalog featuring objects from the Preservation Society of Newport County. This publication will explore art and material culture from institution’s wide-ranging permanent collection which span a range of time periods and geographic and social contexts and includes paintings, sculptures, furniture, historic costumes, ceramics, silver, and photographs. Successful candidates will demonstrate a flexible expertise and ability to research objects within their diverse cultures of origin and their histories of consumption in 18th/19th-century Newport. Special emphasis will be placed on the social lives of objects within the Preservation Society’s historic properties, which date from the Colonial period through the Gilded Age. In addition to curatorial research the Fellow will also contribute to the catalogue by writing descriptive and interpretive essays. Preference will be given to candidates who are able to demonstrate successful object based research utilizing primary and secondary source materials, or who have specific experience contributing to museum or auction house catalogues, exhibitions, and/or publications.

Fellows must have the ability to complete research in a clearly defined area of study on a timeline that will result in regular deliverables. Additionally, all Fellows must present a public lecture and write a 2,500-3,000-word essay based on their area of research. Proven ability to work independently, organize and manage multiple projects, and meet rigorous deadlines is necessary, as are strong research, writing, and public speaking skills.

Fellows must contribute to the overall dynamics of the Fellowship Program through a high level of engagement with fellow scholars, Preservation Society staff, and peer institutions in and around Newport. As such, in addition to the formal research project, the Fellow will be assigned participatory assignments that fall outside the project or project scope. Thereby, a deep understanding will be gained that produces a holistic overview of the complex, yet essential, structure that allows non-profit institutions to offer truly compelling opportunities to diverse audiences. 

Basic Qualifications

In order to be considered for the 2024-2025 Curatorial Research Fellowship, Candidates must have a MA in Art History, American Studies, Anthropology, Historic Preservation, Material Culture, Social History, or related fields. The degree should have been conferred within five years from the start of the fellowship. Doctoral candidates conducting dissertation research will also be considered for residential Fellowships.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

PhD preferred.

Curatorial or related experience preferred.

Demonstrated success researching and cataloging material culture and / or fine art for publication.

Dedication to exploring and promoting paths to understanding the social histories, individual works, and collections of the PSNC.

Proven ability to work independently, organize and manage multiple projects, and meet rigorous deadlines is necessary, as are strong research, writing, and public speaking skills.

Application Procedures

Please apply online with a cover letter indicating interest and suitability and a résumé or curriculum vitae. Complete applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, starting December 15, 2023.

Zoom interviews will be scheduled with preferred candidates by March 15, 2024. Successful interview candidates will be asked to provide two academic or professional references, an academic writing sample, and one personal reference.

Selected candidates will be notified by April 15, 2024.

Additional Information

The fellowship term is September 9, 2024, to August 15, 2025. Residential Fellows receive $24,000 in annual compensation, dedicated research and travel budget, and housing at no cost in the Berwind-Stautberg Scholars Center.

Apply Here

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