Organizer Information
The fellowship is hosted by The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), one of the most influential modern and contemporary art museums globally. Founded in 1929, MoMA has played a central role in defining and preserving the canon of modern art across painting, sculpture, design, photography, architecture, performance, and media-based practices.
Within MoMA, the Archives, Library, and Research Collections (ALRC) functions as a core research infrastructure supporting curatorial work, scholarship, exhibitions, and institutional memory. The department maintains extensive archival holdings, including artist archives, gallery records, institutional documentation, and rare printed material. These collections are essential for provenance research, exhibition history, and the broader study of modern and contemporary art ecosystems.
A key focus of this fellowship is the Paul Rosenberg & Company Archive, one of the most significant holdings in ALRC. This archive documents the activities of the influential art dealer Paul Rosenberg, whose gallery played a major role in shaping modern art circulation in the 20th century, particularly in relation to European modernism and transatlantic art networks.
The fellowship is part of MoMA’s institutional commitment to training emerging professionals in archival studies, museum practice, and art historical research through structured mentorship and hands-on experience within a major cultural institution.
Title & Description
The Elaine and Alexandre Rosenberg Fellowship in the Archives, Library, and Research Collections (ALRC)
It is a two-year professional fellowship designed to provide advanced training in archival practice, library science, research methodologies, and museum administration within a world-leading art institution.
The fellowship combines practical archival work with independent scholarly research. Fellows contribute directly to the functioning of MoMA’s research infrastructure while developing original research projects focused on the Paul Rosenberg Archives. These materials provide critical insight into the history of modern art, gallery systems, and provenance studies across the 20th century.
The program emphasizes both technical skill development and intellectual inquiry. Fellows will engage with archival preservation, reading room management, research assistance, and digitization initiatives, while also participating in MoMA-wide professional development seminars. These sessions introduce object-based research methods, museum pedagogy, curatorial frameworks, and broader questions concerning cultural institutions and public engagement.
The fellowship is structured as a professional immersion program, designed for early-career scholars and emerging museum professionals who aim to develop careers in archives, libraries, museums, or academic research.
The Role Overview
- Position Type: Full-time Fellowship
- Duration: Two years (expected start: September 2026)
- Salary: $54,000 per annum (paid bi-weekly)
- Benefits: Medical, dental, vision insurance; paid time off
- Additional Funding: $3,000 travel grant for approved research trip at mid-point of fellowship
- Reporting To: The Rona Roob, Head of Archives Services
- Institutional Context: Embedded within MoMA’s Archives, Library, and Research Collections (ALRC)
- Program Structure: Includes museum-wide fellowship cohort training, seminars, and mentorship sessions
Position & Tasks
- Assisting with the daily operations of the reading rooms and research services
- Supporting circulation, reference, and patron assistance activities
- Paging, reshelving, and managing archival and library materials
- Overseeing researchers and ensuring proper handling of collections
- Supporting preservation tasks such as labeling, creating access copies, and protective enclosures
- Assisting with stack management, shelf-reading, and spatial organization of collections
- Contributing to digitization and access improvement projects
- Conducting original research within the Paul Rosenberg Archives
- Presenting research findings to contribute to emerging scholarship
- Participating in professional development sessions across MoMA departments
- Supporting general departmental needs as required
Categories
- Archival Studies
- Library & Information Science
- Art History (Modern & Contemporary Art)
- Museum Studies
- Cultural Heritage
- Research Practice
- Curatorial Studies
Eligibility
- Open to candidates with a B.A. or M.A. in Art History or related disciplines
- Applicants should demonstrate interest or experience in archival or library work
- Strong knowledge of modern and contemporary art is preferred
- Reading knowledge of foreign languages is desirable (French preferred)
- Open to emerging scholars and early-career professionals
- Strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills required
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in institutional settings
- Physical ability to handle archival materials (including lifting up to 30 lbs)
- Detail-oriented approach to research and collections handling
International applicants may apply, though eligibility to work in the United States may be required depending on visa arrangements.
Program Benefits
- Competitive annual salary of $54,000
- Comprehensive employee benefits (health, dental, vision, PTO)
- $3,000 travel grant for research-related fieldwork
- Two-year structured fellowship with institutional mentorship
- Direct access to MoMA’s archival and library collections
- Participation in a museum-wide professional development program
- Exposure to curatorial, archival, and research practices at a leading global museum
- Opportunity to conduct original archival research contributing to art historical scholarship
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Updated CV or résumé
- Cover letter or statement of interest (mandatory)
- Applications without a cover letter will not be considered
- Evidence of relevant academic or research background in art history, archives, or related fields
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 10 June 2026
- Fellowship Start Date: September 2026
- Duration: Two years (expected completion: September 2028)
Location
New York, NY 10019, United States
Additional Details
- Fellows work in a high-volume research environment supporting both public researchers and internal museum staff
- The program combines practical archival labor with academic research output
- Emphasis on provenance research and historical documentation of modern art networks
- Participation in a cohort-based fellowship model with interdisciplinary exchange
- Strong focus on professional development in museum leadership and cultural institutions
- Equal employment opportunity policies ensure non-discriminatory hiring practices across all protected categories