Organizer Information
The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH), United States, is one of the largest encyclopedic art museums in North America, internationally recognized for its extensive collections and research leadership in Latin American and Latinx art. Within the museum, the International Center for the Arts of the Americas (ICAA) serves as a major research hub dedicated to the documentation, study, and dissemination of Latin American and Latinx artistic production.
Through its flagship initiative ¡Aquí Estamos!, the ICAA develops long-term research and training programs that support emerging scholars, curators, and museum professionals. The centre is particularly known for its digital archive development, curatorial research, and interdisciplinary approach to art history and museum studies.
Title & Description
ICAA Research and Metadata Development Fellow — Latinx Art (MFAH)
The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston invites applications for the ICAA Research and Metadata Development Fellowship, a one-year full-time remote program focused on Latinx art research and digital archive development.
Hosted by the International Centre for the Arts of the Americas, the fellowship is part of the larger ¡Aquí Estamos! initiative, which aims to expand scholarly access, documentation, and exhibition pathways for Latinx art within a major museum context.
The selected fellow will work on the Latinx Papers Project, contributing to the expansion of the ICAA’s digital archive systems, particularly the “Documents of Latin American and Latino Art” platform. This involves the processing, annotation, digitization, and cataloguing of primary source materials related to Latinx art histories across the United States.
The program combines Research, Archival Studies, Digital Humanities, and museum-based scholarship, offering structured mentorship and collaboration with international archival partners.
The Role Overview
- Position Type: Full-time fellowship
- Contract Type: Fixed-term (1 year)
- Working Model: Remote
- Hours: 35 hours per week
- Stipend: $35,000 + $3,500 research travel allowance
- Department: International Centre for the Arts of the Americas (ICAA)
- Programa: ¡Aquí Estamos! / Latinx Papers Project
- Reports To: ICAA project leadership team
- Eligibility Level: PhD candidate or recent MLIS graduate
Position & Tasks
Research & Archival Development
- Conduct in-depth Research on Latinx art histories, artists, and movements
- Work with primary source documents, including correspondence, manifestos, and exhibition materials
- Assist in identifying and liaising with archival repositories across the United States
Metadata & Digital Archive Work
- Develop structured metadata using controlled vocabularies
- Create cataloguing systems for Digital archive entries
- Build and edit database records for the ICAA Documents Project
- Write annotations and synopses for archival publication
Scholarly Production
- Produce written research outputs and interpretive texts
- Participate in weekly project meetings and collaborative workshops
- Support publication processes for digital research platforms
Administrative & Fieldwork Support
- Assist with administrative project tasks
- Conduct on-site archival research when required
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary museum and research teams
Categories
- Research
- Digital Humanities
- Archive Studies
- Curatorial Practice
- Art History
- Media Arts
- Publication
- Education
Eligibility
- PhD student in art history or related field OR recent MLIS graduate (2025–2026)
- Strong academic background in Latinx art or Latin American modern/contemporary art
- Proficiency in Spanish (required)
- Experience with archival research and special collections
- Familiarity with metadata systems and tools (e.g., Omeka)
- Strong writing, analytical, and organizational skills
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in research environments
- Must be legally eligible to work in the United States
Program Benefits
- $35,000 stipend for one-year fellowship
- $3,500 research travel allowance
- Full-time remote research position in a major museum institution
- Professional training in Archival Studies and metadata systems
- Mentorship from MFAH/ICAA research staff
- Access to international archival and museum networks
- Museum benefits package (including health and professional development support)
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Letter of interest (max 1500 words)
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Academic writing sample (12–15 pages)
- Two professional/academic references
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Details
- Application Deadline: 31 July 2026
- Fellowship Period: 7 September 2026 – 28 August 2027
- Duration: 1 year
Location
Online (Remote), United States
Additional Details
- Focus on Latinx art archival expansion through the ICAA “Documents Project”
- Strong emphasis on metadata creation and digital humanities methodologies
- Includes collaboration with U.S.-based archival institutions
- Designed for early-career scholars in museum and academic research
- Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion in hiring and research practice
- No tuition support provided