The Terra Foundation Fellowships in American Art at the Smithsonian American Art Museum seek to foster a cross-cultural dialogue about the history of art of the United States up to 1980. They support work by scholars from abroad who are researching American art or by U.S. scholars who are investigating international contexts for American Art. The fellowships are residential and support full-time independent and dissertation research.

Presentation

The collection of the Smithsonian American Art Msueum spans the nation's artistic heritage, representing outstanding visual accomplishments from the seventeenth century to the present day. Comprising more than 42,000 objects, this unparalleled collection includes special strengths in nineteenth- and twentieth-century marble and bronze sculpture, nineteenth-century landscape painting, Gilded Age and American impressionist paintings, twentieth-century realism, photography and folk art, Latino art, and African American art.

Each scholar is provided a carrel in the Fellowship Office located across the street from the museum. Available research resources there include a 180,000-volume library that specializes in American art, history, and biography; the Archives of American Art; the National Portrait Gallery; and the graphics collectoins of American Art and the Portrait Gallery; as well as a variety of image collections and research databases. Conveniently located in downtown Washington, D.C.,  the museum and Fellowship Office are a short walk from other Smithsonian museums and libraries, the Library of Congress, the National Archives, and the National Gallery of Art.

During their stay at the museum, scholars will be part of one of the nation's oldest and most distinguished fellowship programs in American art, and will have the opportunity to attend a wide variety of lectures, symposiums, and professional workshops. Short research trips are also possible.

The stipend for a one-year fellowship is $30,000 for predoctoral fellows or $45,000 for postdoctoral and senior scholars, plus generous research and travel allowances. The standard term of residency for fellowships is twelve months, but shorter terms will be considered; stipends are prorated for periods of less than twelve months.

Submissions

All applicants are invited to discuss their research proposals with potential Smithsonian advisors before submitting applications. For research consultation, contact either of the following:

• Amelia Goerlitz at +1 202 633 8353 GoerlitzA@si.edu
• William Truettner at +1 202 633 8384 TruettnerW@si.edu

Applications are due January 15, 2013 for fellowships beginning on or after June 1, 2013. For applications and general information visit http://AmericanArt.si.edu/fellowships or email AmericanArtFellowships@si.edu.

Qualifications and Selection

Applications for the Terra Foundation Fellowships in American Art will be evaluated on the basis of the proposal's merit and the candidate's academic standing, scholarly qualifications, and experience. The project's compatibility with the museum's collections, facilities, staff, and programs will also be considered. Candidates must be proficient in reading and speaking English. A committee comprised of Smithsonian curators and historians plus one outside scholar will review the applications.