Organizer Information
This fellowship is jointly organized by The Studio Museum in Harlem and The Museum of Modern Art, two internationally recognized institutions based in New York City.
The Studio Museum in Harlem is a leading institution dedicated to artists of African descent, contemporary cultural production, and critical engagement with Black visual culture. MoMA is one of the most influential modern art museums globally, with a major collection spanning modern and contemporary art, including painting, sculpture, media, and performance.
Together, these institutions collaborate to deliver a two-year curatorial fellowship designed to develop the next generation of museum professionals through immersive training across two distinct but complementary curatorial environments.
Title & Description
Museum Fellowship Collaboration (Curatorial) – The Studio Museum in Harlem × MoMA (2-Year Paid Fellowship)
This is a competitive two-year curatorial fellowship program offering early-career museum professionals the opportunity to work across two major institutions in New York: The Studio Museum in Harlem and MoMA.
The program is structured as a rotational fellowship: fellows spend the first year at one institution and then transition to the partner museum for the second year. This model provides exposure to different curatorial methodologies, institutional cultures, and exhibition frameworks.
Fellows engage in hands-on curatorial practice including research, collection development, exhibition planning, archival work, and public programming. The fellowship emphasizes professional formation, intellectual development, and practical museum training within high-level curatorial departments.
Participants contribute directly to ongoing curatorial work and gain insight into how major museums operate, including exhibition production cycles, acquisitions processes, and interpretive programming.
Categories
- Visual Arts
- Curatorial
- Museum Studies
- Contemporary Art
- Art History
- Media Art
- Performance Art
- Drawing & Prints
- Archives & Collections Research
- Interdisciplinary Arts
Eligibility
- Early-career professionals in curatorial or museum-related fields
- Bachelor’s degree or graduate-level degree in Art History, Curatorial Studies, Africana Studies, Visual Culture, or related disciplines
- Demonstrated interest in museum practice, cultural programming, or art research
- Prior engagement with arts institutions or communities (preferred but not required)
- Strong writing, research, and communication skills
- Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced institutional environment
- Commitment to working across diverse curatorial contexts and institutional missions
- Open to applicants from all disciplinary backgrounds with a relevant interest in museums
This fellowship is open to both U.S. and international applicants, provided they meet institutional employment requirements.
Program Benefits & Awards
- Two-year paid curatorial fellowship program
- Annual salary of $43,680 plus full benefits (medical, dental, paid vacation)
- $5,000 annual housing allowance
- $2,500 travel grant for one approved research trip during the fellowship
- Full-time employment experience across two major museums
- Direct mentorship from curatorial staff at both institutions
- Training in exhibitions, collections management, acquisitions, archives, and programming
- Professional development in writing, research, and curatorial production
- Exposure to two distinct curatorial ecosystems: contemporary Black art focus (Studio Museum) and global modern/contemporary collection (MoMA)
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Cover letter outlining curatorial interests and research focus
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) or résumé
- At least one letter of recommendation
- Writing sample (maximum 5 pages)
Additional materials may be required depending on institutional review.
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 12 June 2026
- Fellowship Start Date: 14 September 2026
- Fellowship End Date: 25 August 2028
- Duration: 2 years (rotational between institutions)
Location
New York City, United States
Additional Details
- Fellows rotate between two major institutions over the program duration
- Strong emphasis on curatorial training and professional development
- Applicants must demonstrate adaptability in institutional and collaborative environments
- The program is designed to build future leaders in museum and curatorial practice
- Commitment to equity and inclusion is central to both institutions’ hiring philosophy
- Equal Employment Opportunity policies apply, ensuring non-discriminatory selection across all protected categories