Museum Studies Blog at Tufts University

The Koch Curatorial Fellowship at the Fitchburg Art Museum (FAM) is designed to launch emerging curators into substantial museum careers by providing a 13-month, full-time, immersive educational experience in the Curatorial Department of a regional art museum.

The Fitchburg Art Museum is the leading cultural institution in North Central Massachusetts. FAM was founded in 1925, and its four-building complex, with over 20,000 square feet of exhibition space, features exhibitions from its art historical collections of over 4,000 objects, as well as special loan exhibitions focused on New England contemporary art. Collection strengths include American Art, photography, and African Art. Area schools, community groups, and artist organizations organize shows for FAM’s Community Gallery, and the Museum maintains active educational partnerships with public and private schools, and Fitchburg State University. FAM also participates in efforts to stimulate the local creative economy. FAM is fully accredited by the American Alliance of Museums.

The FAM Koch Curatorial Fellowship is a 13-month, full-time appointment for a recent M.A./Ph.D. in museum studies/art history. The FAM Koch Curatorial Fellow will participate in the full range of curatorial practice, including exhibition planning, design, and management. The Fellow will work with both historical and contemporary works of art, and engage in writing, public speaking, exhibition press promotions, studio/museum/gallery visits, research, curatorial planning, exhibition catalogue production, and administrative work.

The Koch Fellow will report directly to Interim Curator Lisa Crossman, Ph.D., and will work closely with Director Nick Capasso, Ph.D., and other members of the FAM team. Fellows will benefit from daily mentoring by Dr. Crossman, and enjoy a supportive, collaborative, and creative work culture. As the fellowship progresses, the Fellow will have increasing responsibilities and autonomy as well as opportunities to mentor interns and work with students at Fitchburg State University. The capstone of the Fellowship will be planning, facilitating and curating our Annual Regional Exhibition of Art & Craft.

The Fitchburg Art Museum is committed to the future career aspirations of each Fellow. FAM staff will actively participate in job searches for Fellows with direct advocacy, references, and professional networks.

The FAM Koch Curatorial Fellow will be paid a stipend of $30,000, plus full health coverage with an option to purchase additional family coverage. The Fellowship will begin on June 1, 2017 and run through June 30, 2018.

Interested candidates should send a cover letter, CV, writing sample (between 5-15 pages), and the names and contact information for 3 references by email to Curator Lisa Crossman (lcrossman@fitchburgartmuseum.org), ATTN: Koch Curatorial Fellowship. The deadline for application is February 13, 2017.

For general information about FAM, please visit www.fitchburgartmuseum.org.