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 whose research engages the art, craft, and visual culture of the United States 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 art history and encourages candidates who identify as members of historically underrepresented groups to apply.

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.

• Deadline: October 15, 2024

Description:

The Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM) and its Renwick Gallery invite applications for their prestigious Fellowship Program, the largest and oldest program for the study of American art. This residential fellowship supports full-time research at the Smithsonian, offering access to unparalleled collections of American art, craft, and visual culture. Scholars from diverse disciplines are encouraged to apply, particularly those whose research brings new perspectives and methodologies.

Fellowships are available for graduate students, predoctoral, postdoctoral, and senior scholars, and cover a wide range of research topics related to American art and visual culture. The program is committed to advancing inclusive excellence in art history and strongly encourages applications from underrepresented groups.

Named Fellowships:
Candidates applying for a SAAM advisor through the Smithsonian Institution Fellowship Program (SIFP) will automatically be considered for the following named fellowships:

• Will Barnet Foundation Fellowship – American modern art research.

• Joe and Wanda Corn Fellowship – Joint research between SAAM and the National Museum of American History.

• Douglass Foundation Fellowship – Dissertation research on American art.

• Audrey Flack Short-Term Fellowship – For scholars with limited capacity for long-term residencies.

• Helen Frankenthaler Foundation Fellowship – Modern and contemporary art research.

• Patricia and Phillip Frost Fellowship – American art and visual culture.

• George Gurney Fellowship – Six-month research on American sculpture.

• William H. Truettner Fellowship – Six-month research on American painting and sculpture.

• Wyeth Foundation Predoctoral Fellowship – Doctoral dissertation research in American art.

• Betsy James Wyeth Fellowship – Scholarship on Native American art.

• Windgate Foundation Fellowship – Yearlong research on American craft.

Eligibility:

• Graduate Students: MA and PhD candidates not yet advanced to candidacy.

• Predoctoral Fellows: Scholars engaged in dissertation research.

• Postdoctoral Fellows: PhD holders within five to seven years of earning their degree.

• Senior Fellows: Scholars with a distinguished publication record or commensurate professional accomplishments.

• Special Consideration: Applicants working with Indigenous communities should provide a letter of support from relevant stakeholders.

Fellowship Stipend:

• Predoctoral Fellows: $45,000 per year.

• Postdoctoral and Senior Fellows: $57,000 per year.

• Graduate Students: $10,000 for a ten-week term.

• Additional funds are available for research travel, relocation, and health insurance.

Resources and Facilities: Fellows will have access to SAAM’s collection of over 46,000 works, housed in a National Historic Landmark building. Resources include the Archives of American Art, the Luce Foundation Center, the Nam June Paik Archive, and more. Scholars are provided with a study carrel in SAAM’s Research and Scholars Center and have access to the museum’s library and other Smithsonian resources.