Organizer Information
MACLA/Movimiento de Arte y Cultura Latino Americana is an inclusive contemporary arts organization in downtown San José, California, grounded in the Chicanx/Latinx experience. Founded in 1989 through a community mobilization for multicultural arts, MACLA develops and presents visual, literary, and performance art to encourage civic dialogue and community transformation. The organization produces approximately 50 programs annually and serves more than 38,000 participants. Its stated values include inclusion, collaboration, integrity, innovation, optimism, and leadership. MACLA's current website also identifies visual arts, performance, and literary programming as central parts of its work.
Title & Description
MACLA Curatorial Fellowship
The MACLA Curatorial Fellowship is a paid, part-time professional development opportunity designed to create a pipeline for students interested in contemporary Chicanx/Latinx art and culture scholarship. The fellowship is particularly suited to emerging professionals considering careers in curating, arts administration, or cultural work. Working under the Visual Arts Curator, the Fellow participates in exhibition planning, research, installation, documentation, public programming, and related administrative activities.
A major component of the fellowship is the opportunity to earn a Co-Curator byline for one exhibition, alongside practical experience producing curatorial and digital materials.
The Role Overview
- Role: Curatorial Fellow
- Programme: MACLA Visual Arts
- Reporting to: Visual Arts Curator
- Contract: Paid, part-time fellowship
- Duration: 10 months
- Hours: 15–25 hours/week during the academic year; 25–30 hours/week during summer
- Total Hours: 935
- Compensation: $34.45/hour
- Location: On-site, downtown San José, California
- Funding: Contingent on continued financial support from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)
Position & Tasks
The Fellow will assist with planning, researching, installing, evaluating, and de-installing contemporary visual art exhibitions and related public programs. Responsibilities include preparing exhibition checklists, graphics, catalogues, documentation, curatorial statements and brochures, and content for MACLA's online archive, social media, and printed materials.
Approximately one-third of the fellowship focuses on gallery installation. Fellows assist with quarterly installations, including painting walls, using power tools, handling artwork, and lifting objects weighing at least 30 lbs. Additional responsibilities include participating in artist studio visits, interviewing artists, visiting local and regional arts organizations, participating in one visit to a national Latinx arts institution, and covering at least one gallery front-desk shift during Wednesday–Sunday, 12–5 PM gallery hours.
Categories
- Visual Art
- Curatorial Practice
- Arts Administration
- Contemporary Art
- Cultural Studies
Eligibility
Applicants must have a bachelor's degree or equivalent experience; graduate students are preferred. Relevant backgrounds may include Art History, Visual Culture/Criticism, Latin American History, Cultural Anthropology, Sociology, Chicano/a/x Studies, or equivalent fields. MACLA prioritizes candidates interested in careers with arts and culture organizations.
The fellowship is intended to develop Latinx curatorial and cultural leadership. Applicants must be able to work on-site in San José, lift at least 30 lbs., and meet MACLA's stated health and safety requirements, including COVID-19 vaccination. No travel or relocation stipend is provided. Citizenship or geographic eligibility is not specified in the source.
Program Benefits
The fellowship provides paid professional experience, curatorial training, exhibition-production experience, artist networking through studio visits, institutional visits, digital publishing experience, and a Co-Curator credit for one exhibition. Eligible fellows also receive paid sick time according to California law.
Application Fee
None
How to Apply?
Email applications to HR@maclaarte.org with the subject line “MACLA Curatorial Fellow Position.” Only complete applications will be considered.
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: Ongoing
- Fellowship Duration: 10 months / 935 total hours.
- Schedule: 15–25 hours/week during the academic year and 25–30 hours/week during summer.
Location
San José, California, United States
Additional Details
Applicants are encouraged to apply even if they do not meet every listed qualification. MACLA is an equal opportunity employer and states its commitment to a diverse and respectful workplace. The role requires physical participation in exhibition installation and gallery operations. The organization will contact qualified candidates only; applicants are asked not to make follow-up calls, emails, or social media inquiries.