Rousseau Curatorial Fellow in European Art

Summary

At the intersection of public access and higher education, the Harvard Art Museumsinvite everyone to embrace inquiry, dialogue, and new perspectives on art and ideas.

The museums’ global collections encompassa broad range of time periods andgeographies.
The Fellowship program at the Harvard Art Museums is designed to broaden the experience of those embarking on professional museum careers in art history and related fields, conservation and conservation science, and/or museum education.

Fellowsareintegral membersof the museums’ staff,take part in departmental and museum-wide meetings,andcollaboratewith colleagues across themuseums.

Fellows are active members of the program cohort,participating in regular

Fellowsmeetings, workshops, specialized training, and organized activities throughout the year, including presenting their work at an annual Fellows Symposium.

• The Rousseau Curatorial Fellow, working closely with the Margaret S. Winthrop Curator of European Art, will research and support various projects related to 14th-19th century European paintings and sculptures and those from relational geographic areas in the museums’ collections. The Fellow’s work includes provenance research as well as interpretation of the collection and its histories for the Harvard community and the public.
• A focus of the Fellowship will be researching paintings by Claude Monet and Paul Cézanne in the museums’ collection, as well as assisting with evaluation of potential gifts of works of art and loan requests. The Fellow may also assist with planning for a reinstallation of the museum galleries.
• Fellows mayassistin researching and preparing interpretive materials for permanentcollectioninstallations, special exhibitions, and museum publications. Tasks may include drafting and producing correspondence, wall labels, and related materials.
• The Fellow’s time is divided between their assigned projects and work that supportsa broad range of curatorial activities, which may involve correspondence related to loan requests and collection inquiries, provenance research, cataloging the permanent collection in the museums’database, assisting with new acquisitions,donor cultivation, and administrative tasks.
• Foregrounding the museums’teaching and research mission, the Fellow alsoparticipatesin interdisciplinary teaching andcontributesto a rich offering of public and academic interpretive programs across various platforms.
• The Fellow may supervise students and temporary employees.
• Theabove covers the most significant responsibilities of the position.
  
  It does not, however,excludeother duties, the inclusion of which would be in conformity with the position.

Candidates MUST meet the following basic qualification sin order tobe considered for this role:
MA in Art History or related field

• PhD strongly preferred; specialization in European or British paintings desirable
• In addition to excellent English, written and spoken proficiency in French, Italian, Spanish, German or Dutch preferred
• Museumor related experience preferred; interest in expandingcanonicalnarratives strongly encouraged
• Commitment to fostering engagement with originalworks of art in auniversitymuseum context, for all visitors
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills; ability to work independently as well as collaboratively as part of a team

We believe in the potential of candidates from all backgrounds and experiences. If you meet theBasic

Qualifications for this role and are excited about the opportunity, we encourage you to apply—even if youdon’tmeet every single

Additional

Qualification. Whether you’restarting your career, re-entering the workforce, transitioning fields, or seeking the next step, we welcome your unique perspective. Please use your cover letter to share your passion for art museums and how you envision contributing to this role.

Please apply online with acoverletter and a résumé or curriculum vitae. Complete applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, starting

January 26,2026,and continuing until the position is filled.
Upon review of applications,selectcandidates will be notified tosubmittwo letters of recommendation.

Supporting documents may include writing samplesand other materials.

The term of thisfellowship is September8,2026– August
31,2028. In addition to $60,000 annualizedcompensation,the Fellow hasan allocatedtravel budget andis eligible toparticipatein Harvard’s fringe benefits program.