The Curatorial Fellowship Program at the Harvard Art Museum is designed to broaden the experience of persons embarking on professional and scholarly careers in art history who are considering the museum profession. The Fellow shares fully in the range of curatorial activities including collections management, research and documentation of potential acquisitions and of the permanent collection, and in answering scholarly inquiries and general correspondence. The Fellow also delivers occasional educational talks for the public and undertakes a collections-related project.
The 2009-2011 Calderwood Curatorial Fellowship project will concentrate on researching the Norma Jean Calderwood Collection of Islamic Art in preparation for a permanent collection catalogue. Acquired by the Harvard Art Museum in 2002, the Calderwood Collection consists primarily of Persian ceramics, paintings, drawings, and lacquer objects produced from the ninth through nineteenth century, with a small number of Turkish and Indian works of art. Reading knowledge of Persian is preferred. The Calderwood Fellow may also have the opportunity to plan and produce a small, temporary installation for the Islamic and Indian gallery at the Harvard Art Museum.
The Harvard Art Museum, with the Straus Center for Conservation and Technical Studies, is a major center for art historical research and training. Fellows engage in close study and analysis of objects and their institutional frameworks, as well as broader issues of museum practice and museology.
The term of the fellowship in the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery is 22-months, beginning September 2009.
Basic Qualifications:
M.A. and graduate training in art history or related field.
Additional Qualifications:
Ph.D. past qualifying paper preferred; Demonstrated interest in the work of art museums and scholarship; Excellent written and verbal communications skills; competence in Persian, Turkish, or Arabic preferred; Computer proficiency in word processing and database applications preferred.
Additional Information:
Baird Fellowship:
Upon completion of curatorial fellowship, fellows will be eligible to apply for the Baird Travel Research Fellowship. Baird fellowship awards are competitive, based on a proposed project requiring travel for research. The Baird Fellowship provides for return to Harvard within two years to lecture on his/her research results.
Application Procedures:
A complete application includes a letter of interest, résumé or curriculum vitae, transcript, writing sample, and 3 letters of recommendation. Please apply online with letter and curriculum vitae only. Send transcript, writing sample, and 3 letters of recommendations to: Harvard Art Museum, Human Resources Office, 32 Quincy Street, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
Applications must be received by March 15, 2009. Inquiries may also be directed to the Human Resources Office (telephone – 617.496.5864; fax – 617.496.9032). Writing samples will not be returned unless requested by applicant.
Competitive stipend ($1,200 bi-weekly) and a travel/research allowance provided. International candidates will be considered.
For related information, please visit: http://www.artmuseums.harvard.edu/home/index.html
