American Art Summer Fellow

Job Description

Job Description

American Art Fellow

Philadelphia Art Museum

We Are Committed to an Inclusive Workplace

At the Philadelphia Museum of Art, we actively seek to employ a diverse group of people who embody our organizational values. We welcome and encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply, especially those from marginalized and underrepresented groups in the museum field, who are inspired by our shared purpose and enjoy working collaboratively with others.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship or immigration status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected status.

How You Will Contribute

The Philadelphia Museum of Art is looking for two graduate students to experience two summer fellowships with a focus on:

(1) American painting and sculpture, including Indigenous arts, from the mid-nineteenth century to c. 1960, to assist in the research and display of the collection, and

(2) American decorative arts from the 17th to the 20th centuries, particularly from c. 1876 to 1926, assisting a special exhibition on the Arts and Crafts Movement in Philadelphia

Thanks to support from the Center for American Art at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, two Summer Fellows will be chosen to assist the Curators in the Museum’s Department of American Art. Graduate students in art history or related fields with an interest in American arts are encouraged to apply.

Position and Compensation Details

• The stipend for this position is $5,500.
• This position is Full-Time, Exempt, and 35 hours per week.
• Summer Fellows are invited to work ten weeks of their choice, depending on their own schedules—and allowing to stop and start—between May 19th and August 29th.
• The Summer Fellows will report to Kathleen A. Foster, the Robert L. McNeil, Jr. Senior Curator of American Art and Director, Center for American Art; and David Barquist, the H. Richard Dietrich Curator of American Decorative Arts
• Physical requirements:
  • Able to remain stationary for extended periods of time, to utilize computers and other office equipment required of this job, to perform physically administrative duties in a typical interior office environment, gallery, or exhibit space, and to access most public and staff areas of the museum campus
• Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

Institutional Requirements

• Upholds the professional standards of the field, always acts in a manner that is consistent with the best interests of the museum and protects and enhances its reputation and standing within the community of museums.
• Adheres to the museum’s code of ethics and Employee Handbook and avoids any real or perceived conflicts of interest.
• Shows respect for co-workers and visitors and an understanding of and appreciation for the diversity of the museum’s staff, volunteers, and audiences.
• Maintains confidentiality.
• Adheres to all museum protocols, procedures, rules, and policies.

Application Timeline

Please complete an online application and include the following:

· A letter describing your interest and preparation for either position
· Curriculum vitae with education, employment, publications, and honors
· A writing sample of no more than four pages
· Three references with phone number and email addresses


Applications are due no later than March 30, 2026.

What We Offer

Our employees are at the center of the museum. As an employee, you will have access to numerous museum perks including, but not limited to:

• Free general admission to the museum for you and your immediate family
• Discounted guest tickets for admission
• Discounts on gift memberships
• Special staff tours and presentations from our curatorial and conservation teams
• Discounts at the museum restaurant, museum cafés, and museum retail and online stores

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