26/09/2025
JOB OPENING: Andrew W. Mellon Postdoctoral Curatorial Fellowship in Prints and Drawings (FT, 2 years) - National Gallery of Art, Washington DC.
Deadline: 3rd November 2025
The incumbent will play a crucial administrative and research role in forthcoming exhibitions of the Prints and Drawings collection and contribute to re-envisioning the role of works on paper in a reinstallation of the West Building galleries. Many projects will collaborate with other curatorial departments and conservation personnel.
As the Andrew W. Mellon Postdoctoral Curatorial Fellow, you will:
- Under the supervision of the Senior Curator of Prints and Drawings, assist with, handle independently, or otherwise participate in every type of activity performed by the Division of Prints and Drawings, including exhibition research and preparation, scholarly research and writing, collection development and care, and public programs, as assigned.
- Assist with organizing special exhibitions from NGA collections and/or multiple lenders, including concept development and presentation, research, selection of works, loan letters and tracking, organization, installation, press, and related scholarly and public educational programming. Work with other Gallery departments and collaborating institutions to coordinate all exhibition details, including registrar, conservation, exhibitions, design and installation, development and the press office. As assigned, may represent the department in discussions with collaborators, lenders, officials, foundations, corporate and private sponsors, and the press concerning exhibitions or other programs.
- As assigned, conduct curatorial research and write interpretive texts for brochures, catalogues, gallery wall labels, and the website, targeted to diverse audiences. Work with supervisor and relevant staff in offices that manage exhibitions, publishing, design, photography, permissions, the website, education programs, and scholarly and public symposia, to ensure timely and effective completion of all such collaborative undertakings.
- Perform scholarly research on objects in the permanent collection, potential acquisitions, loans, and exhibition topics. Contribute current scholarly information for electronic database records, The Museum System (TMS), and supporting material for hard copy curatorial records and object files.
- Participate in museum-wide curatorial activities, including gallery checks and periodic weekend duty, which may involve handling an emergency to protect works of art, and writing and circulating interoffice memoranda of observations and recommendations of measures to be taken to correct conditions in the galleries or repairs to a damaged work of art.
- As assigned, work with the offices of the Registrar, Conservation, and Visual Services on safe handling, storage, loan review, transport, maintenance, condition checks, and photography of works of art; serve as official courier to oversee handling and accompany transports of National Gallery works of art to and from other borrowing institutions.
- Answer general inquiries and technical questions from the public concerning departmental collections and programs. Assist scholars researching the Prints and Drawings collection and general visitors with particular interests. Coordinate and supervise appointments for visitors while they examine works of art. Conduct lectures, tours, and other public programs for audiences of all levels. Conduct Gallery business and research in English and in foreign languages.
- As assigned, assist in the selection, management, and training of research assistants and interns. Review work for quality, timeliness, accuracy, and thoroughness.
- Take part in departmental staff meetings, all-curatorial meetings, and interdepartmental meetings regarding special projects.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
The National Gallery of Art seeks a specialist in works on paper to become the next recipient of the Andrew W. Mellon Postdoctoral Curatorial Fellowship to join the Division of Prints and Drawings. The doctoral degree in art history (or the equivalent in countries outside the United States) must be officially conferred by the start of employment or have been received within five years prior to the start date of the fellowship. Applicants from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. This is an international program.
The fellow will receive an annual salary of $65,000, plus research and travel expenses up to $6,500 per year.
Apply here:
Curatorial fellowships Andrew W. Mellon Postdoctoral Curatorial Fellowship in Prints and Drawings Call for ApplicationsSend PDF application components to this email by November 3, 2025, by 11:59 p.m. EDT.The National Gallery of Art hosts a postdoctoral curatorial fellowship endowed by the Andrew W.....
