Organizer Information
The Harvard Art Museums, part of Harvard University, are world-class institutions dedicated to advancing the understanding of art through research, teaching, and public engagement. Comprising the Fogg Museum, the Busch-Reisinger Museum, and the Arthur M. Sackler Museum, the collection is global in scope and serves as a vital resource for the university’s academic mission and the broader public. The museum's Fellowship program is a premier professional development pathway, designed to integrate emerging professionals into the core operations of a major university art museum, fostering innovation and scholarship in a collaborative environment.
Title & Description
John R. and Barbara Robinson Family Curatorial Fellow in Photography
This prestigious two-year fellowship offers an immersive professional experience in the museum’s Division of Modern and Contemporary Art. The selected fellow will engage in high-level curatorial work, focusing on the museums’ extensive collection of over 85,000 photographs. A central component of this role is contributing to a major scholarly exhibition exploring the history, aesthetics, and ethics of flash illumination in photography. This position is ideal for a scholar-practitioner looking to bridge the gap between academic research and public-facing museum practices.
The Role Overview
- Salary: $60,000 annualized compensation.
- Contract Type: Full-time, Term Appointment (Fixed term).
- Reporting To: Richard L. Menschel Curator of Photography.
- Hours: 35 hours per week.
- Status: Exempt, Non-Union.
Position & Tasks
The Robinson Curatorial Fellow is an integral member of the museum staff with a diverse range of responsibilities:
- Exhibition Research: Assisting in all stages of exhibition planning, specifically for the upcoming project on flash technology in photography, including developing checklists and researching historical practices.
- Collection Management: Supporting collection strategy, acquisitions, and provenance research for photographs and time-based media.
- Interpretation & Scholarship: Drafting wall labels, gallery guides, and contributing to museum publications.
- Teaching & Public Programs: Participating in interdisciplinary teaching and contributing to academic and public interpretive programs.
- Administrative Duties: Handling loan requests, cataloging in the museum database, donor cultivation, and potentially supervising students.
- Cohort Participation: Attending regular fellows’ meetings, workshops, and presenting research at the annual Fellows Symposium.
Categories
Photography, Art History, Curatorial Studies, Museum Studies, Time-Based Media, and Visual Art.
Eligibility
The program seeks candidates embarking on professional museum careers.
- Minimum Requirement: MA in Art History or a related field.
- Preferred: PhD with an emphasis on the history of photography.
- Specialization: Interest in both early photographic history and 20th-century/contemporary global practices.
- Skills: Proficiency in a foreign language is helpful; a commitment to expanding canonical narratives and fostering engagement with original art is essential.
Program Benefits
- Competitive Compensation: $60,000 annual salary.
- Travel Funding: Access to specific funds to support professional research and travel.
- Comprehensive Benefits: Eligibility for Harvard’s fringe benefits, including medical, dental, and vision health insurance (starting day one).
- Professional Development: Mentorship from senior curators, specialized training workshops, and tuition assistance/reimbursement opportunities.
- Work-Life Support: Generous paid time off, parental leave, and wellness resources.
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Cover Letter: Detailing the passion for art museums and how the candidate envisions contributing to this specific role.
- Résumé or Curriculum Vitae (CV).
- Letters of Recommendation: Select candidates will be asked to provide two letters of recommendation after the initial review.
- Supporting Materials: Writing samples may be requested during the later stages of the process.
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Rolling Review Starts: January 26, 2026 (Applications reviewed until filled).
- Residency/Fellowship Period: September 8, 2026 – August 31, 2028.
Location
Cambridge, MA, United States
Additional Details
- Work Format: This is a term-limited position with a 3-month orientation and review period.
- Visa Info: Certain visa types may limit work location; individuals must meet sponsorship requirements prior to employment.
- Environment: The fellow will work closely with the Conservator of Photographs and the Division of Modern and Contemporary Art.