Paid Fellowships
Gain valuable experience.
In 2015, an industry study revealed overwhelming homogeneity in the art museum field. The Phillips Collection fellowship program promotes greater equity and diversity, enhancing the museum experience and better serving our community while providing sustained opportunities for positive growth.
Following the year-long fellowship, the Phillips will continue to engage the fellows through alumni activities, including continued mentoring and networking to ensure lasting impact and sustained professional relationships.
ELIGIBILITY
All are welcome to apply for the fellowship program. Successful applicants will demonstrate how they will contribute to the diversity of the institution, including identifying with an ethnic, gender, or ability group that is underrepresented, or having overcome a disadvantage or other impediment to success in the museum field.
ELIGIBLE FIELDS OF STUDY*
- Art History
- Anthropology
- History
- Art and Design
- Music
- Arts Management
- Education
- Communications
- Business
- Digital Humanities
- *Other relevant fields may also be considered
REQUIREMENTS
Ideal candidates include students currently enrolled in undergraduate studies at a university within the Greater Washington, DC, Metropolitan Area. Fellows are generally selected in the spring of their junior year after their majors have been declared. In a few cases, fellows may be selected in their senior year, as a graduate student, or as a recent graduate.
The following criteria are evaluated in the selecting of participants for the fellowship program:
- Academic promise (minimum of a 2.5 GPA);
- Demonstrated interest and commitment to pursue a career in the museum field, whether with coursework or professional experience;
- Application materials which include resume, cover letter, complete transcripts, writing sample, and 2 letters of reference;
- Availability for, and commitment to, engaged participation in all aspects of the fellowship program, including attendance at conferences and meetings;
- Status as a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
2024-25 Fellowship Program
Makeba Clay Diversity Fellow
In 2021, The Phillips Collection celebrated its centennial. This historic moment ushered in a period of reflection and encouraged thoughtful considerations on how we move into the future. To that end, in 2021 we launched The Phillips Collection Institutional History Project (IHP). As this project has evolved, we’ve recognized the need to understand and uncover more about artists in the permanent collection surrounding diversity (i.e., ethnicity, gender, disability, sexual orientation, etc.). The 2024-25 fellow will build on and add to the research and critical thinking about the museum’s history, including the philosophical underpinnings and aesthetic vision of Duncan Phillips and his wife, Marjorie Phillips. The fellow will work closely with the DEAI department, but also receive mentoring by other departments such as Curatorial and Library & Archives.
Public Programs Fellow
The Public Programs Fellow will assist the public programming department with developing programs to welcome and engage visitors. The fellow will help to create and implement innovative public programs that explore The Phillips Collection’s special exhibitions and permanent collection. The fellow will also be responsible for researching artists, curators, writers, filmmakers, and scholars for panels, workshops, film screenings, and other events, as well as coordinating the advance planning for public programs across departments including Education, Curatorial, Digital Experience, Marketing & Communications, and Guest Services.
Applications open through July 31
Fellowship period September 9, 2024-July 25, 2025
The Phillips Collection is an equal opportunity employer of qualified individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences. All employment decisions and personnel actions are conducted without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic disposition or carrier status, marital status, veteran status, personal appearance, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, or any other category protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.
