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.

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 art collections, with a preference for seventeenth century Dutch drawings. The Fellow will also have the opportunity to carry out research on Dutch works from the permanent collection in other media and on drawings from other cultures and periods. Investigations into global correlations of Dutch art and colonialism will be encouraged.
• The Curatorial Fellow assists with a broad range of other curatorial activities, including preparation of interpretive materials, cataloguing of the permanent collection in the Art Museums’ database, assistance with new acquisitions, donor cultivation.
• Foregrounding the museums’ teaching and research mission, the Curatorial Fellow helps provide content expertise and support for the Art Museums’ Art Study Center by supporting classes and individual appointments of approximately six 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 larger Art Museums Fellows’ cohort and will participate in regular cohort meetings and in the anticipated annual Fellows symposium at the end of the spring semester.
• The Curatorial Fellow may supervise students and temporary employees.

Basic Qualifications

MA in Art History or related fields, with written and spoken proficiency in Dutch

Additional Qualifications

• PhD preferred; demonstrated interest in Dutch art, including seventeenth century Dutch drawings
• Reading proficiency in Dutch desirable
• Curatorial or related experience helpful; interest in challenging canonical narratives 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

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.

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 15 February 2022 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 6 September 2022 – 30 August 2024.  In addition to $50,000 annual compensation, the fellowship has an allocated travel budget and is eligible to participate in Harvard’s fringe benefits program.

Please visit the Harvard Careers webpage for more information and to apply online.