The Art Institute of Chicago shares its singular collections with our city and the world. We collect, care for, and interpret works of art across time, cultures, geographies, and identities, centering the vision of artists and makers. We recognize that all art is made in a particular context, demanding continual, dynamic reconsideration in the present. We are a place of gathering; we foster the exchange of ideas and inspire an expansive, inclusive understanding of human creativity.

The Art of the Americas department stewards a diverse collection of nearly 4,600 objects from North, Central, and South America from 5000 BCE to the present, reflecting the extensive history of artistic production in this hemisphere. Ancient North American bannerstones; a stellar group of nearly 1,200 Moche, Nazca, and other ceramics from the early Andes; representative works of later cultures from Colombia into Panama; and significant objects of Mesoamerican art including an Aztec coronation monument all date prior to the arrival of European colonizers beginning in the late 1400s. Strengths in colonial-era works include a number of 16th-century Andean objects, 18th-century silver and furniture from Boston, Philadelphia, Newport, and New York, and the museum’s historically significant collection of Mexican Talavera Poblana ceramics. The 19th and 20th centuries marked the growing geopolitical and artistic influence of the United States, as represented by the museum’s exceptional holdings of painting, sculpture, and decorative art and design objects. The Art Institute is particularly renowned for iconic paintings by Mary Cassatt, Winslow Homer, Edward Hopper, Archibald Motley, Georgia O’Keeffe, José Clemente Orozco, Diego Rivera, John Singer Sargent, and Grant Wood. A Missouri war shirt, Pueblo ceramics, and numerous California baskets, among other works, show the immense artistic prowess of Native artists during this time. The collection is further enhanced by exemplary silver, distinctive holdings of Tiffany Studios glass, notable folk art, diverse works from the Arts and Crafts movement, and ceramics by Maija Grotell, Maria Martinez, Toshiko Takaezu, and others.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Arts of the Americas Department at the Art Institute of Chicago seeks a curatorial fellow to act as a thought partner and collaborator in projects engaging Native American art as well as in fostering and supporting relationships with Native American communities.

During the three-year fellowship, the curatorial fellow could expect to collaborate with the department on a major reinstallation of galleries presenting American art from 1600 to 1900, an exhibition of contemporary Native art, convenings that explore Native items stewarded by the museum, and events bringing together Native communities at the museum, as well as caring for, researching, and building relationships over Native items in the museum’s care. The fellow should expect to travel on research trips, to conferences, and to contemporary art fairs. The fellow would also be encouraged to develop or work on their own research project during the fellowship, which the museum would aim to support.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Researching, interpreting, and building relationships over Native American items in the museum’s care.
• Collaborating with the other members of the department and across the museum on ongoing reinstallation and exhibition projects involving Native American items.
• Fostering and supporting relationships between the museum and members of Native American communities, including artists, leaders, elders, scholars, and students.
• Supporting and shaping institutional initiatives related to Native American art and communities.

While the Fellow’s home base will be the department of Arts of the Americas, duties will be performed in collaboration with many other departments at the museum, including Conservation and Science, Exhibitions, Interpretation, Publishing, the Ryan Learning Center, and the Research Center.

Although candidates may have a Masters Degree or higher in art history, anthropology, Native American studies, or a related field, this position recognizes that experience, knowledge, and skills are also developed outside of academia. The ideal candidate would have deep experience with Native American art, demonstrated experience working in or with museums, as well as strong writing skills, interpersonal skills, and the ability to work as part of a team.

The ideal candidate should demonstrate:

• proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google suites required; ability to learn museum-specific collection database;
• knowledge of foreign languages as appropriate to areas of specialty;
• a broad art historical foundation;
• expertise, experience, and interest in pursuing a distinct area or areas relevant to expanding areas of the collection;
• a record of scholarship, exhibitions, and publications in areas of specialty;
• a willingness to embrace the museum’s commitment to creating an inclusive and equitable institution;
• an open-minded and collaborative approach to working and communicating with all colleagues across the museum;
• outstanding communication skills that demonstrate both scholarly ability and interest in public engagement.

Candidates should submit a CV, a cover letter detailing the candidate’s interest in and qualifications for the position, along with a list of three references. Upon invitation to interview, further supporting materials (such as a writing sample) may be requested. Attachments should be collated into a single PDF document and uploaded as one file.

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the post is filled. Interviews may take place at any time, but no decision will be made before February 17, 2023.

The start date of the fellowship is flexible, and will be negotiated based on a candidate’s individual needs or circumstances. Optimally, the appointment would begin between May and September 2023. This is a three-year term. The fellowship includes benefits, a modest relocation allowance, a stipend for research/professional development, and funds for project support.

We offer a competitive, comprehensive benefits package:

• Paid holidays (up to 14 days) - PTO 20 days prorated

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance

• Tuition remission

• Great employee discounts Complimentary general admission to participating cultural institutions

• Retirement - eligible for TSP (ee contributions only)

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The Art Institute of Chicago is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits, hires and promotes qualified individuals without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, veteran status or citizenship. The Institute complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the Department of Human Resources at apply_help@artic.edu.