Marie Zimmerman Fellow (generously funded by the Decorative Arts Trust) at Milwaukee Art Museum Inc – Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Job: Two-year (temporary), Full-Time, exempt

Salary and Benefits: $40,000/year + Benefits

Supervisor: Demmer Curator of 20th- and 21st-Century Design

The Milwaukee Art Museum is a vibrant, welcoming destination where art, architecture, and community come together. As a cultural cornerstone of Milwaukee and a symbol of civic pride, the Museum connects people of all ages and backgrounds through inspiring exhibitions, engaging programs, and unforgettable experiences

Position Overview

The Milwaukee Art Museum (MAM) Marie Zimmerman Fellow offers hands-on curatorial work experience

across collection assessment, development, exhibition planning and programming, and publication. This is a full-time grant-funded position, with salary and benefits for 24 months. The Marie Zimmerman Fellow will be an integral part of the planning and execution of two major initiatives that will advance MAM's American decorative and design programs: (1) The Jody and Dick Goisman Collection Project – a comprehensive undertaking involving assessment, exhibition, and catalogue publication centered on a promised gift of modern design; and (2 American Decorative Arts Collection Assessment and Gallery Reinstallation – a research-focused project to evaluate the museum's holdings and support future gallery planning.

Key Responsibilities

Goisman Collection Assessment

• Conduct research and visual analysis of objects in the Goisman collection, with a focus on twentieth-century American design.
• Develop connoisseurship and design analysis skills through close object study.

Exhibition Development

• Collaborate closely with the Curator to conceptualize exhibition themes and narratives.
• Participate in checklist development and interdepartmental coordination with Registration, Conservation, Art Preparation, and Education teams

Publication

• Support catalogue development, including research, writing, and assisting with editorial and production processes.
• Work with external contributors, editors, and designers under the guidance of the Curator.

American Decorative Arts Assessment

• Collaborate with curators to create a comprehensive assessment of the American decorative arts collection.
• Contribute to early-stage planning for a reinstallation of the American art galleries, integrating decorative arts into broader art historical narratives.
• Work with Learning and Engagement colleagues to envision interpretive strategies for the new installation.

Qualifications

• Recent graduate from an M.A. or PhD program, Art History, Museum Studies, American Studies, or related field.
• Strong research, writing, and organizational skills.
• Interest in American decorative arts, design history, and curatorial practice.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively across departments.
• Prior museum or archival experience is a plus but not required.

Physical Requirements

The Marie Zimmerman Fellow is regularly required to communicate professionally in person, over the telephone, through email and other electronic means, move about their work area, between buildings and the Museum campus grounds, handle various types of materials, and visually or otherwise identify, observe and assess.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee

encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

Disclaimer:

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all qualifications, responsibilities, duties and skills required.

Milwaukee Art Museum is an EOE/M/W/Vets/Disability Employer.

DEAI Statement:

The Milwaukee Art Museum is an equal opportunity employer. The Museum recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, and other protected status as required by applicable law.

We are committed to recruiting, developing, compensating, and retaining professional staff that reflect our community. We aspire to be a diverse workplace where talented people want to come, stay, and do their best work.

We stand committed to the work ahead, informed by our community, which we will support with our best thinking, our deepest empathy, and the courage to embody the convictions shared in our Strategic Direction.