Undergraduate Museum Core Project Fellowship

Undergraduate Museum Core Project Fellowship

The Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles is seeking four undergraduate students to join a cohort of advisory fellows supporting the development of a new permanent exhibition about Jewish American life. Envisioned as an engaging, interactive destination for visitors from across Los Angeles and beyond, the exhibition will explore the nuanced, evolving, and relevant experiences of Jewish life in America. Drawing from the more than 40,000 objects in the Skirball's collection—the largest collection of its kind in the United States—the exhibition will use objects, stories, and traditions to illuminate Jewish American culture while inviting visitors to make connections to their own histories and lived experiences.

Schedule

For a period of two years, the Fellows commit to meeting virtually approximately 8 times per academic year (2026–2027 and 2027–2028). Meetings will take place on Zoom and be held on Pacific Standard Time (PST). The first meeting will be in October 2026. There may be occasional in-person meetings at the Skirball Cultural Center scheduled during winter or summer breaks, but most of the fellowship will take place online.

Compensation

• Fellows will receive a stipend of $1,000 per academic year for their participation. Payment will be made in two parts; one payment at the start and one at the end of each academic year.
• Skirball membership for two years and invitation to events.

Responsibilities

• Advisor—Join a small cohort of undergraduate students and advisors to contribute to the shape of the exhibition and educational components. Fellows will work with and learn from interdisciplinary museum professionals to contribute to the development of the exhibition content, design, terms, interactive components and more.
• Professional Development Training—participate in workshops facilitated by the project's audience development researcher to lead peer-to-peer feedback sessions with members of the Skirball's Teen Advisory Committee or other focus group audiences.
• Facilitation—Co-facilitate selected focus groups. This is an opportunity put into practice the skills learned with the audience researcher and gain valuable facilitation experience.

Qualifications, Experience, and Attributes:

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to problem-solve independently and collaborate with others.
• Live or have lived in Los Angeles. We are accepting applications from students who may be outside of LA, but having formative experience in LA is essential to the story of the exhibition we are building and the audience we hope to attract.
• Active interest in exploring the Jewish American experience, specifically the polyvocal LA Jewish experience.
• Interest in museum studies, museum education, history, sociology, and /or communications in the nonprofit field.

Eligibility:

Applicants must fulfill the following requirements:

• Be currently enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student in either a Bachelor's degree program or an Associate's degree program. Students must have completed at least one semester or two quarters of college by June 2027. This program is ideal for sophomores or juniors. (Students who are enrolled in a second BA or BS program are not eligible.)
• Attend college in or be a permanent resident of LA County.
• Be a United States citizen or permanent resident (non-citizen authorized to live and work in the United States on a permanent basis; also known as a "green card" holder). Students with DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival) status valid through the fellowship period are eligible.

While this fellowship is intended for students from backgrounds underrepresented in museum and education professions, eligible candidates from all backgrounds will be considered. Candidates are sought from all areas of undergraduate study at any higher education institution – community college, trade school, and public and private university. Candidates will have the opportunity to show their interest in museum and education professions and how they might add diverse and underrepresented perspectives, which can include – among other things – socio-economic status, cultural background, physical or other disability, geographical origin, and/or any other life experiences.

Deadline: September 14, 2026