Job Summary

The Curatorial Fellowship Program at the Harvard Art Museums is designed to broaden the experience of scholars embarking on professional careers in art history who are considering the museum profession. The Harvard Art Museums’ global collections encompass cultures across Asia, North Africa, Europe, and the Americas from ancient times to today.

Position Description

Duties and Responsibilities:

• The Durwood Curatorial Fellow, working closely with the Maida and George Abrams Curator of Drawings, conducts object-based research focused on the Museums’ Dutch drawings collections, with a preference for a specialization in the 17th to 19th centuries. The Fellow will have the opportunity to carry out research on Dutch and Flemish works from the permanent collection in other media and on drawings from other cultures and periods. Investigations into global correlations of Netherlandish art and material culture are encouraged.
• The Curatorial Fellow assists with a broad range of curatorial activities, including preparation of exhibitions and interpretive materials, cataloguing of the permanent collection, assistance with new acquisitions, and donor cultivation.
• Foregrounding the museum’s teaching and research mission, the Curatorial Fellow also helps provide content expertise and support for teaching in the galleries and the Museums’ Art Study Center, including staffing Art Study Center sessions approximately three hours a week, participates in a series of art handling workshops, and contributes to a rich offering of public and academic interpretive programs across various platforms.
• The Curatorial Fellow will be an active member of the Fellows’ cohort and will participate in regular cohort meetings and in the annual Fellows symposium at the end of the spring semester.
• The Curatorial Fellow may supervise students and temporary employees.

PLEASE NOTE: This position is an on-site position.

The Harvard Art Museums are committed to equity and inclusion in its staff and to engaging with a wide range of audiences and constituents, and welcome applications from candidates of diverse backgrounds who share these interests and commitment.

Basic Qualifications

Candidates MUST meet the following basic qualifications to be considered for this role:
MA in Art History or related fields

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• PhD preferred; demonstrated interest in historic European drawings
• Knowledge of Dutch art, in particular 17th  – 19th century drawings
• Reading proficiency in Dutch is desirable, with written and spoken proficiency in Dutch preferred
• Curatorial or related experience is helpful; interest in challenging canonical narratives is strongly encouraged
• Commitment to fostering the appreciation of works of art in a museum context
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills; ability to work independently as well as collaboratively as part of a team

Additional Information

Application Procedures
Please apply online with a letter of interest and a résumé or curriculum vitae.  Complete applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, starting January 31, 2024, and continuing until the position is filled.

Upon review of initial applications, successful candidates will be notified to submit two letters of recommendation. Other supporting documents may include transcripts and writing samples.

Additional Information
The term of this fellowship is September 3, 2024-August 28, 2026.  In addition to $55,000 annual compensation, the fellowship has an allocated travel budget and is eligible to participate in Harvard’s fringe benefits program.

The health of our workforce is a priority for Harvard University. With that in mind, we strongly encourage all employees to be up to date on CDC-recommended vaccines.

Discover Harvard Art Museums and Harvard University Benefits
A creative, high-energy, collaborative environment
Generous Vacation, Sick, Personal, and Holiday pay
Medical, Dental and Vision benefits starting on your first day
Tuition Assistance Program
Transportation benefits to help with your daily commute
Health and wellness discounts, memberships and programs

Additional benefits can be found at https://hr.harvard.edu/totalrewards

Work Format Details

This position is based primarily on-campus, in Massachusetts. This may include in-person during emergency situations (if applicable). Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Benefits

We invite you to visit Harvard’s Total Rewards website (https://hr.harvard.edu/totalrewards) to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:

• Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
• Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
• Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
• Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
• Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
• Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
• Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
• Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.