The Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM) and its Renwick Gallery invite applications to its premier fellowship program, the oldest and largest in the world for the study of American art. Scholars from any discipline who are researching topics that engage the art, craft, and visual culture of the United States are encouraged to apply, as are those who foreground new perspectives, materials, and methodologies. SAAM is devoted to advancing inclusive excellence in the discipline of art history and in higher education more broadly, and therefore encourages candidates who identify as members of historically underrepresented groups to apply.

Presentation

The Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM) and its Renwick Gallery invite applications to its premier fellowship program, the oldest and largest in American art. Scholars from any discipline who are researching topics relating to U.S. art, craft, and visual culture are encouraged to apply, as are those who foreground new perspectives, materials, and methodologies. Fellowships are residential and support full-time research in the Smithsonian collections. SAAM is devoted to advancing inclusive excellence in the discipline of art history and higher education more broadly, and therefore encourages candidates who identify as members of historically underrepresented groups to apply.

Resources

Each fellow is provided a carrel in SAAM’s Research and Scholars Center. There, they have access to the museum’s collection of over 45,500 works, specialized study collections and databases, the Archives of American Art, and an 180,000-volume branch library specializing in American art. Located in downtown Washington, DC, the Research and Scholars Center is a short walk from other Smithsonian museums and libraries, the Library of Congress, the National Archives, and the National Gallery of Art. Regular workshops, seminars, and lectures foster scholarly exchange and professional advancement.

Support

The stipend for a 12-month fellowship is $45,000 for predoctoral scholars and $57,000 for postdoctoral and senior scholars, with an allowance of up to $5,000 available for short research trips. Terms as short as 3 months are available with prorated stipends.

Graduate student fellowships are available for 10-week terms and are awarded a stipend of $10,000.

The Smithsonian Office of International Relations will assist with arranging J-1 exchange visas. 

How to Apply

The museum hosts a number of fellows each year through the Smithsonian Institution Fellowship Program (SIFP), and also awards its own named fellowships to candidates from this general pool. Applicants must identify a member of SAAM’s research staff to serve as primary fellowship advisor to hold a residency at this museum. To find a potential advisor whose research interests match yours, browse the SAAM staff listings in the Smithsonian Opportunities for Research and Study guide or search our Staff Bios.

• Application: https://fellowships.si.edu/SIFP

• Deadline: November 1, 2023

• Questions? Visit si.edu/research/fellowships/apply or email SAAMFellowships@si.edu

Selection

Applications will be evaluated on the originality and quality of the proposed research project; the applicant’s academic standing, scholarly qualifications, and experience; the project’s contribution to a more equitable and inclusive history of American art; and the extent to which the Smithsonian, through its research staff and resources, can contribute to the stated research goals. Candidates must be proficient in reading and speaking English.

A committee comprised of Smithsonian curators and outside scholars will review the applications.