Fellowship in Native American Art

The Rockwell Museum, a Smithsonian Affiliate, located in Corning, NY, seeks a graduate student researcher in American art with a concentration in Native American art and/or Museum Studies. The Fellow will research a section of The Rockwell Museum’s Native American collection to compile relevant cataloguing information such as identifying tribal affiliations, styles, and patterns. This first-time Fellowship is part of the Museum’s Curatorial Department and reports to the Curator of Collections and Exhibitions.

With its focus on Native American art and material culture, this research Fellowship will support a cataloguing and digitization project at The Rockwell Museum. The Museum presents compelling exhibitions and dynamic programs that provoke curiosity, engagement, and reflection about art and the American experience. The Fellow will research and contribute vital information on the care and curation of the Native American collection at The Rockwell.

The Native American collection is comprised of pre-1950 objects which include 472 works. This foundational component of the Museum’s collection was gifted by local citizens Robert and Hertha Rockwell in 1976. The Rockwells avidly collected Native American pottery, textiles, baskets, beadwork, and Kachinas. A majority are from Northern Plains, Pueblo, and Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) tribal nations. By making the Museum’s Native American collections available online, improving our metadata through accurate and culturally specific research, and continuing to image the collection, the Fellowship will support the Museum’s strategic goal to transform the visitor experience through collection and exhibition development. The project will support emerging scholars and museum professionals by providing an opportunity to work directly with The Rockwell Museum’s curators and registrar and gain real world experience in a busy community-focused institution.

The historic objects to be researched are an essential part of the Rockwell’s permanent collection, which also includes significant holdings of contemporary Native American art. With improved scholarship and access, the Museum will be able to use the full scope of the collection in a planned redesign of its Native American galleries. This also opens new avenues of collaboration, continuing and expanding the Museum’s partnerships with Native American culture keepers and collecting institutions.

Key Duties:

• Conducts original research on Native American Art in the Museum’s collection
• Collaborates with Associate Curator and Registrar to update and expand existing records
• Identifies objects for further study under NAGPRA regulations
• Create a blog post for the Museum about their fellowship experience
• Works with collections staff to create new storage containers for objects as needed
• Contributes research to an upcoming reinstallation of Native American Galleries

General Duties:

• Supports and amplifies the Museum’s commitment to justice, equity, diversity, accessibility, and inclusion
• Works collaboratively with the Curatorial department
• Maintains care of collections in accordance with the Museum’s Collection Management Policy

Education and Experience:

• Must be currently enrolled in a graduate program at an accredited university.
• Must have scholarly focus on Native American art history, Native American history, or museum studies.

Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated research skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Desire to research and uplift Native American voices
• Respect and exemplify the values of The Rockwell Museum in all interactions with colleagues, staff, volunteers, and the public.
• Ability to represent the Museum in a professional manner.
• Respect and exemplify the values of The Rockwell Museum in all interactions with colleagues, staff, volunteers, and the public.

The Fellowship will start the week of September 8, 2025, and last for approximately 12 weeks and a stipend of $6,000, as well as a travel reimbursement to support transportation from their home to Corning, NY.