Organizer Information
The Columbus Museum of Art (CMA) is one of the leading museums for modern and contemporary art in the American Midwest. Founded in 1878, the museum is recognized for its commitment to creating accessible and inclusive experiences with art while supporting scholarship, curatorial innovation, and public engagement. Located in Columbus, Ohio, CMA houses significant collections of late nineteenth- and twentieth-century American and European modern art, alongside major holdings in photography, contemporary art, and socially engaged artistic practices.
The museum’s collection includes works connected to important collectors and archives such as the Ferdinand Howald Collection, the New York Photo League holdings, the Philip and Suzanne Schiller Collection of American Social Commentary Art, and the Scantland Collection of contemporary art. In addition to its main galleries, CMA operates multiple public-facing initiatives including The Pizzuti contemporary art space and the Aminah Robinson Legacy Project residency program for artists and writers.
The Roy Lichtenstein Curatorial Fellowship is funded through a long-term grant from the Roy Lichtenstein Foundation and acknowledges the influential relationship between Roy Lichtenstein and the city of Columbus. Lichtenstein studied and taught at The Ohio State University during the formative years of his career, and the fellowship continues this legacy by supporting emerging curatorial scholars in the fields of modern and contemporary art.
The fellowship reflects CMA’s broader mission to connect audiences, artists, researchers, and institutions through exhibitions, publications, public programs, and curatorial collaboration.
Title & Description
Roy Lichtenstein Curatorial Fellowship at the Columbus Museum of Art
The Roy Lichtenstein Curatorial Fellowship 2026 is a two-year, full-time curatorial fellowship hosted by the Columbus Museum of Art in Columbus, Ohio. Designed for recent postgraduate scholars pursuing curatorial careers, the fellowship offers advanced professional training in museum practice, exhibition development, research, public programming, and collections management.
The fellowship is intended for emerging curators and art historians with strong interests in modern and contemporary art, especially in areas aligned with the museum’s collections and exhibition initiatives. Fellows will work closely with the museum’s curatorial department while developing scholarly and public-facing projects that engage broad audiences.
Reporting directly to the Curator of Collections & Exhibitions, the selected fellow will collaborate with museum staff, guest curators, institutional partners, and academic colleagues from The Ohio State University and beyond. The role combines practical museum experience with opportunities for independent scholarly development, making it particularly valuable for candidates seeking long-term careers in museums, curatorial research, exhibition-making, or arts leadership.
The fellowship emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration, curatorial research, public engagement, and institutional practice within a major American museum environment.
The Role Overview
- Position Title: Roy Lichtenstein Curatorial Fellow
- Institution: Columbus Museum of Art
- Department: Collections & Exhibitions
- Contract Type: Full-Time, Regular, Exempt
- Duration: Two-Year Fellowship
- Salary: USD $60,000 annually
- Reports To: Curator of Collections & Exhibitions
- Schedule: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM, with occasional evenings and weekends as required
- Location: Columbus, Ohio, United States
- Field Focus: Modern and Contemporary Art Curatorial Practice
- Programme Type: Museum Fellowship / Curatorial Fellowship
The fellowship is funded through support from the Roy Lichtenstein Foundation.
Position & Tasks
The selected fellow will become an active member of the museum’s curatorial team and participate in a broad range of museum operations and scholarly activities.
Primary responsibilities include:
- Assisting with the research, planning, and implementation of exhibitions
- Drafting exhibition texts, labels, correspondence, and curatorial documentation
- Coordinating exhibition checklists, loans, and photography
- Supporting exhibition publications and communication with editors, authors, and designers
- Assisting with public programs and educational initiatives
- Conducting art-historical and curatorial research
- Supporting acquisitions and permanent collection management
- Collaborating with guest curators and institutional partners
- Assisting with docent and museum education programs
- Acting as liaison with collectors, donors, and external stakeholders
- Coordinating with marketing, learning, and advancement departments
- Participating in scholarly writing, presentations, conferences, and publications
The fellow is also encouraged to pursue independent scholarly research connected to their academic interests and the museum’s collections.
Categories
- Curatorial Practice
- Art History
- Modern Art
- Contemporary Art
- Museum Studies
- Visual Arts
- Public Programming
- Research
- Exhibition Studies
- Photography
- Contemporary Culture
- Academic Writing
- Arts Administration
- Museum Education
Eligibility
Applicants must:
- Hold a terminal degree in Art History or a related discipline
- Have completed their degree within the past five years
- Demonstrate scholarly interest in modern and contemporary art
- Show strong interest in curatorial and museum careers
Additional qualifications include:
- MA required; PhD preferred
- Previous museum or gallery experience is advantageous
- Strong research, organizational, and communication skills
- Ability to work collaboratively across departments and institutions
The fellowship is particularly suited for emerging curators, museum professionals, researchers, and scholars seeking advanced institutional experience.
International applicants may apply if legally eligible to work in the United States, though applicants should verify visa or employment eligibility requirements directly with the institution.
Program Benefits
- Annual salary of USD $60,000
- Two years of professional museum experience
- Curatorial mentorship and institutional training
- Hands-on exhibition development experience
- Opportunities to contribute to publications and scholarly projects
- Professional networking with curators, academics, collectors, and artists
- Access to major museum collections and archives
- Public programming and conference participation opportunities
- Experience working within a major contemporary museum institution
The position offers substantial career development opportunities for individuals pursuing museum leadership or curatorial careers.
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- CV or résumé
- Cover letter or statement of interest
- Academic information and degree details
- Writing samples or scholarly materials (if requested)
- Professional references
- Employment history and relevant museum experience
Candidates should prepare materials demonstrating curatorial potential, scholarly achievement, and interest in modern and contemporary art.
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: Ongoing
- Fellowship Duration: Two years
No final application deadline has been publicly specified. Early applications are strongly encouraged.
Location
Columbus, Ohio, United States
Additional Details
The fellowship provides a rare opportunity for early-career curators and art historians to gain long-term institutional experience within a respected American museum environment. The selected fellow will engage with exhibitions, collections, public programs, publications, and collaborative initiatives while building professional relationships across academic and museum networks.
The museum values accessibility, collaboration, public engagement, and interdisciplinary thinking. Candidates with interests in socially engaged art, modernism, contemporary visual culture, museum education, and curatorial innovation may find the fellowship particularly relevant.
The work environment is primarily office-based, though fellows will also participate in installations, exhibitions, public events, and institutional collaborations. The museum notes its commitment to reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities.