Fellowship in American Art

Stipends: $10,000–$57,000 per year with additional $5,000 research allowance. 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.

Requirements

Scholars from any discipline who are pursuing research on topics that engage with American art, craft, and visual culture may apply at one of the following levels:

• Graduate student fellowships support independent research by MA and PhD students who have not yet advanced to candidacy. Students must be formally enrolled in a graduate program of study at a degree-granting institution at the time they apply. They must have completed at least one full-time semester or its equivalent before the fellowship begins.
• Predoctoral fellowships are for those who have completed coursework and preliminary examinations for their doctoral degree and are engaged in university-approved dissertation research.
• Postdoctoral fellowships are available to support independent research projects by scholars who have earned a PhD or equivalent within the last seven years.
• Senior fellowships are intended for scholars with a distinguished publication record who have held their doctoral degree for more than seven years or who possess a commensurate record of professional accomplishment.
• No employee or contractor of the Smithsonian Institution may hold a Smithsonian fellowship during the time of their employment or contract, nor may an award be offered to any person who has been employed by or under contract to the Smithsonian in the previous year, without prior approval.

Application Instructions

Apply through the Smithsonian Online Academic Appointment System (SOLAA).