Organizer Information
The Clark Art Institute is an art museum, research center, and higher-education institution in Williamstown, Massachusetts, with a particular focus on art history and the visual arts. Its Research and Academic Program (RAP) brings together an international community of scholars through fellowships, conferences, colloquia, workshops, and lectures. The fellowship program has hosted scholars since 1997 and has developed a global network of more than 400 fellows from around 30 countries.
Title & Description
Research and Academic Program (RAP) Fellowship
The RAP Fellowship is a residential research fellowship supporting scholars pursuing independent research related to art history and visual culture. Fellows are expected to work in residence at the Clark in Williamstown for the full duration of their fellowship.
The program provides an environment for concentrated research, scholarly exchange, and engagement with the Clark's collections and academic community. Depending on the fellowship category and duration, fellows participate in public lectures, closed-door seminars, or research workshops. Academic-year fellows give a public lecture and seminar, while summer fellows present their research at a closed-door workshop.
Categories
- Art History
- Visual Culture
- Museum Studies
- Art Research
- Humanities
- Interdisciplinary Visual Arts Research
Eligibility
The program is primarily intended for scholars conducting advanced research in art history and related fields. RAP has historically welcomed an international cohort of researchers; previous fellows have come from numerous countries and academic institutions.
Specific eligibility requirements vary according to the individual fellowship category and funding source. Applicants should therefore consult the current fellowship announcement for the applicable academic qualifications, research requirements, and fellowship term.
Program Benefits & Awards
Selected fellows receive a stipend, with the amount varying according to the length of the fellowship and specified in the formal offer letter.
Benefits described in the fellowship information include:
- Residential accommodation at the Visiting Scholars' Residence across from the Clark campus.
- Reasonable arrival and departure transportation costs, including economy-class airfare to and from airports serving the Williamstown area.
- Airport or train-station transportation can also be arranged by RAP.
- A private office in the Clark library with internet access and computing facilities.
- Access to Clark's library, which contains more than 275,000 volumes in 65 languages and approximately 700 periodical titles.
- Access to Clark's museum collections, including paintings, sculpture, prints, drawings, photographs, silver, ceramics, and furniture.
- Access to the Manton Study Center for Works on Paper by appointment.
- Access to Williams College library resources and gym facilities.
- Opportunities for scholarly exchange through lectures, seminars, workshops, and the wider RAP community.
The Clark's archives describe RAP fellowships as providing visiting scholars with housing and support for their research activities.
Application Fee
None
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 15 October 2026
Location
Williamstown, Massachusetts, United States
Additional Details
Fellows are expected to participate actively in the scholarly community. Academic-year fellows must attend colleagues' lectures and seminars and give their own public lecture and closed-door seminar. Summer fellows participate in a research workshop near the end of their residency.
International fellows should note that appropriate health insurance is mandatory for J-1 exchange visitors. Stipends may also be subject to U.S. taxation, with withholding requirements depending on the fellow's residency and applicable tax treaty.
Housing is furnished, utilities are included, and apartments provide kitchens, bedrooms, bathrooms, laundry facilities, and internet access. The Clark also provides a weekly grocery shuttle for fellows who do not have a car.