Henry Luce Foundation Curatorial Fellow

The Munson Museum of Art invites applications for a Henry Luce Foundation Curatorial Fellowship supporting the reinstallation of its collections of art from the United States before 1920. The project seeks to reinterpret and make accessible the Museum’s canonical American art using visitor-centered methods. In concert with the Museum’s Associate Curator of American Art, the Henry Luce Foundation Curatorial Fellow will help develop and implement a new advisory committee composed of members of Utica’s refugee community and other recent immigrants to Central New York. The Luce Curatorial Fellow will assist in all aspects of the curatorial project, from collections research to exhibition design and production. Duties will also include preparation and participation in monthly seminar-style discussions with the advisory committee to inform eventual in-gallery interpretation in English and other languages. This fellowship is an excellent opportunity for an early career museum professional with demonstrated interest in art of the United States made before 1920.

This position is full-time with benefits and is not eligible for remote work. The Luce Curatorial Fellow will work 35 hours per week, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. through 5 p.m. Attendance at monthly after-hours seminars is also expected, to be accommodated through schedule flexing. This position has been approved for one year; any potential extension of employment will be dependent on funding.

Applicants should include a cover letter and writing sample (maximum five pages on a relevant subject) with their online application materials.

Our Culture

Munson is committed to community engagement and belonging. We encourage applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of background, and welcome the unique perspectives and experiences they bring. If your skills and qualifications align with this opportunity, we invite you to apply to join our team. This position will model the values and culture of the organization to colleagues and the public by being welcoming, inclusive, and respectful and will value collaboration across the organization

Essential Job Functions

1. Collections research:

• Conduct a comprehensive review of existing research on assigned collection objects, including paintings, works on paper, sculpture, and decorative art
• Identify and research missing dates, mediums, and artist biography details
• Answer specific questions as assigned, especially as they emerge in community discussion
• Recommend potential acquisition targets based on existing collection
• Participate in occasional research trips to regional archives and other museum collections as assigned

2. Community advisory committee development:

• Consult with curator to identify language groups and community members most appropriate to participation
• Review recent community-centered curatorial projects
• Recommend topics and themes for discussion based on collection review
• Develop select presentations for community discussion in consultation with curator
• Identify guest speakers, translators, and other expert participants

3. Community advisory committee implementation:

• Participate in community discussions related to the project
• Develop reports of topics discussed, objects viewed, areas of most interest, and specific questions advanced by committee members after each meeting
• Help prepare discussion materials, activities, slideshows, and set up refreshments

4. Exhibition Design, Interpretation, and Installation

• Work with curator to develop visual relationships within the exhibition space
• Write in-gallery interpretive materials, such as section text and labels
• Help format and produce in-gallery and web-based labels in English as well as other languages
• Support curator and exhibitions team throughout installation as assigned
• May be asked to serve on Munson interdivisional committees

Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• BA required. A degree in art history is preferred, but other fields of study such as American studies, history, anthropology, material culture, museum studies, or sociology with art history course work are also acceptable.
• Demonstrated interest in American history, culture, and art
• Excellent research and writing skills
• Ability to interact with diverse constituencies, including Museum visitors, patrons, and scholars
• Computer skills including Microsoft Suite (PowerPoint, Excel, and Word) and Google Workspace
• Valid driver's license is required and must be maintained throughout employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• MA in art history or another closely related field (such as American material culture or museum studies)
• Advanced coursework in American art history, especially global understandings of the long nineteenth century
• Museum or other curatorial experience
• Familiarity with archival research practices
• Facility with The Museum System (TMS) or another Collections Management Database
• Teaching and/or graphic design experience
• Ability to speak, read, and write in one or more languages other than English (especially those most common in Utica: Karen, Spanish, Burmese, Arabic, Somali, Bosnian, Nepali, Vietnamese, Russian, and Ukrainian).

The final candidate will be required to complete a post-offer, pre-employment background check.

Munson is an equal opportunity employer.