Constance E. Clayton Curatorial Fellowship

Philadelphia, PA
Full Time
Mid Level
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. 

The Constance E. Clayton Curatorial Fellowship offers upcoming or recent M.A. graduates in Art History or related fields the opportunity to gain professional experience in preparation for a career as a curator. Named for pioneering Philadelphia educator and founder of the Museum’s African American Collections Committee, Constance E. Clayton, The Fellowship is designed to provide foundational learning and mentorship for an individual from a traditionally underrepresented group within the museum field. Working under the direction of the director of the Brind Center for African and African Diasporic Art, the Fellow will receive a comprehensive introduction to curatorial practice in a large art museum. 


How You Will Contribute:
 
  • Conduct historical, cultural, object- and artist-based research in preparation for the Fall 2026 opening of the Brind Center permanent galleries
  • Collaborate on drafting label text for the Brind Center galleries
  • Facilitate the planning and execution of public programming related to the opening of the Brind Center galleries
  • Attend and participate in meetings for committees and support groups affiliated with the Brind Center
  • Support initiatives to care for, highlight and expand the museum’s collections of works by artists from Africa and the African diaspora
  • Engage in a broad range of regular departmental activities such as:
    • Catalogue individual works of art
    • Research and write justifications for potential acquisitions
    • Respond to queries about the collection
    • Assist with temporary exhibitions, publications, collections assessments, and other projects related to curatorial functions as assigned by curatorial staff
  • Perform other duties as assigned

 
Your background and experience include:
 
  • Master’s in Art History or related field
  • Demonstrated interest in the art, history or material culture of people of African descent living on the African continent or elsewhere
  • Excellent research, writing, and communication skills
  • A strong interest in pursuing a curatorial career in a museum setting
  • Demonstrated ability to work successfully with others—museum staff, volunteers, and diverse public constituencies—to achieve institutional objectives
  • Technical proficiency with Microsoft Office suite
  • Familiarity with collection management software is a plus


Position and Compensation Details
 
  • The salary for this position is $43,888.00.
  • This position is full-time, exempt, and 35 hours per week.
  • This position is part of the AFSCME Local 397 bargaining unit.
  • This position reports to the Director of the Brind Center for African and African Diasporic Art.
  • This position is required to be performed fully onsite at Philadelphia Museum of Art locations.
  • This two-year position begins September 22, 2025 and ends September 22, 2027.
  • 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

Applications are due by August 15th, 2025.  We encourage candidates to apply early as the position will close once we have a robust applicant pool or a candidate has been selected.


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

We offer a comprehensive benefits package for employees* including:
 
  • Medical, dental, and vision benefits
  • Fully paid short-term disability insurance, long-term disability insurance, and life insurance
  • Health savings or flexible spending account program
  • Retirement savings program with museum match
  • Paid vacation, personal days, sick days, and holidays

*Eligibility for certain benefits is based on a variety of factors including the employee’s regular schedule and tenure.
 
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