Susan Duncan 75 and Leo Fisher 75 AMAM Curatorial Fellowship in European and American Art

Susan Duncan '75 and Leo Fisher '75 AMAM Curatorial Fellowship in European and American Art

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Please see Special Instructions for more details.

You must be an enrolled student at Oberlin College & Conservatory to qualify. Please submit the following by Friday, August 21, 2026:

• one-page cover letter explaining the applicant's interest in the position
• one-page resume
• a 2-page (max) writing sample or excerpt from a longer piece of writing, preferably related to the visual arts
• a list of your availability during museum business hours, Mon-Fri 9am-5pm (upload under "additional document")
• unofficial college transcript
• contact information for three professional references (at least two Oberlin faculty or staff)

Review of applications will begin on August 22, followed by interviews for selected applicants, and will continue until the position is filled.

Questions about the position may be addressed to Marlise Brown, Associate Curator of European and American Art, mbrown10@oberlin.edu

Posting Details

Announcement Information

Job Summary

This fall, the Allen Memorial Art Museum is launching three year-long curatorial fellowships, supported by the Susan Duncan '75 and Leo Fisher '75 AMAM Curatorial Fellowship Fund. One fellowship is available in each of the museum's three curatorial collections (Asian Art, European and American art, and Modern and Contemporary Art). The fellows will engage in curatorial research as well as provide administrative support for the curators. The fellowship is designed both to deepen research skills as well as to introduce students to critical aspects of the full range of curatorial work. In addition to working with the individual curators, the fellowship will also include career-centered conversations with other museum staff and other museum professionals as well as travel to northeast Ohio museums, conservation studios, and arts organizations. The fellowship extends over both semesters of the academic year at 10 hours per week as well as full-time employment in summer 2027, allowing time to create substantial, tangible outcomes to be part of a professional portfolio after leaving Oberlin. The aim of this program is to provide substantive support to the museum's curatorial program and to provide depth of experience to set up students for greater success in the increasingly competitive market for curatorial positions. The fellows are expected to commit to the full arc of the fellowship, and students graduating in May 2027 are not eligible to apply.

Responsibilities

A current Oberlin student is sought for the newly created role of Duncan Curatorial Fellow in European and American Art (Before 1900) at the Allen Memorial Art Museum for the 2026-2027 year. The fellow will assist the Associate Curator of European and American Art (Before 1900) in research, writing, preparations for upcoming exhibitions, and other duties as assigned. Mentorship and professionalization are important components of the position. The position is 12 hours/week for the academic year (excluding Winter Term) and 40 hours/week in summer 2027. The candidate is expected to schedule their working time in-person at the museum Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, with occasional evening and weekend events.

Responsibilities for the Duncan Curatorial Fellowship in European and American Art (Before 1900) may include:

• General research on the European and American art collection
• Updating records and creating lists on the internal collection database, The Museum System, will constitute a large part of the position, necessitating diligence and attention to detail.
• Conducting provenance research
• Learn and follow NAGPRA (Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act) guidelines to assist with the research and inventory of Indigenous objects in the Museum's collection
• Art handling and pulling works from storage locations for study and exhibition preparation
• Liaising with faculty, students, and outside scholars who are researching the European and American art collection
• Research and label writing for upcoming exhibitions
• Developing social media posts and public-facing materials
• Other projects based on need or student interest

Qualifications

Must be a current Oberlin College student who is not graduating in May 2027. Strong writing and research skills are required for this position, excellent organization and communication, and the ability to work independently on both short and long-term tasks. Completion of at least one course related to pre-1900 European and American art history is preferred but not required. Reading proficiency in another language (especially French, Italian, or Spanish) is preferred, but not required.

Quick Link for Posting https://jobs.oberlin.edu/postings/17691 Compensation

$16.00/hour based on actual hours worked

Special Instructions to Applicants

You must be an enrolled student at Oberlin College & Conservatory to qualify. Please submit the following by Friday, August 21, 2026:

• one-page cover letter explaining the applicant's interest in the position
• one-page resume
• a 2-page (max) writing sample or excerpt from a longer piece of writing, preferably related to the visual arts
• a list of your availability during museum business hours, Mon-Fri 9am-5pm (upload under "additional document")
• unofficial college transcript
• contact information for three professional references (at least two Oberlin faculty or staff)

Review of applications will begin on August 22, followed by interviews for selected applicants, and will continue until the position is filled.

Questions about the position may be addressed to Marlise Brown, Associate Curator of European and American Art, mbrown10@oberlin.edu

Documents Needed to Apply

Required Documents

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• List of References
• Unofficial Transcripts
• Writing Sample
• Additional document

Optional Documents

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).