Fellowships

Fellowships at the Art Institute of Chicago

While internships focus on training, fellowships help support advanced-level professionalization and the enrichment of an early-career (or in some cases an established) scholar’s primary field of expertise or professional practice. Fellowships are typically of a longer duration than internships, spanning from one academic year through three calendar years. They are predominantly full-time, salaried placements.  

At the Art Institute, fellowships largely revolve around collections—in terms of either research, curatorial practice, conservation, education, or interpretation. For the most part, Art Institute fellows are embedded on department projects where their expertise enables them to make a substantial contribution while at the same time expanding professional competencies. 

Because of the longer time frame, the level and degree of scholarly research or writing expected and the aim of advanced-level professionalization, fellowships most often appear as options at the graduate, post-graduate, pre-doctoral, post-doctoral, or senior levels of academic training. 

• Undergraduate Opportunities
  

  Supporting the next generation of museum workers is a critical goal for the museum. Learn more about our opportunities for undergraduate students.

• Undergraduate Curatorial Training
  

  Supporting the next generation of curators is a critical part of our work. Learn more about opportunities for undergraduate students.

• Graduate Fellowships
  

  Fellowships at the graduate level include offerings in interpretive work, science, and architecture and design.

• Postgraduate Fellowships
  

  Postgraduate fellowships include options in Whistler-focused studies, museum education, libraries, time-based media conservation, as well as more general conservation and science work.

• Predoctoral Fellowships
  

  Predoctoral fellowships are offered in the museum’s various curatorial and conservation departments as part of the Chicago Objects Studies Initiative (COSI), a tri-institutional collaboration aimed at enhancing object-based art historical training.

• Postdoctoral Fellowships
  

  Postdoctoral fellowships include offering in conservation and science, various curatorial departments, and time-based media, as well as customizable Fulbright fellowships.