Fellowship: Andrew W. Mellon Advanced Training Fellowships in Ethnographic and Archaeological Object and Textile Conservation, Smithsonian Institution (Suitland, MD, USA)

Application deadline:March 15, 2017
The National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) offers two fellowships in ethnographic and archaeological object and textile conservation, funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.  Fellowships, awarded for one year with a possible one year renewal, commence fall 2017, and carry a $40,000 stipend, $5000 travel/research allowance, $2000 for medical insurance, and benefits. Fellows take part in the Conservation Department’s major projects and research related to the projects and collections. The current projects include the preparation of artifacts for exhibit at both NMAI museum sites: Washington, DC, and New York City. The fellowships are located at the NMAI Cultural Resources Center in Suitland, MD (8 miles southeast of Washington, DC).
The fellowships cultivate practical skills and foster a solid understanding of the cultural contexts of materials, the NMAI’s philosophy of conservation, and the ethics of the conservation profession.  Museum programming involves collaboration with Native Peoples in the development of appropriate methods of care for, and interpretation of their cultural materials, this may include community consultations both at NMAI and in the field.
Applicant Qualifications: Applicant should be recently graduated from a recognized conservation training program or have equivalent training and experience. The best qualified candidates are those pursuing a conservation career specializing in material culture of indigenous peoples from North, Central and South America. The applicant should have a proven record of research, writing ability, and fluency in English language skills (written and spoken).   Fellowships are awarded without regard to age, sex, race, or nationality of the applicant.
Deadline: Completed online applications must be submitted no later than March 15, 2017 (including reference letters).
Finalists will be invited for an interview and asked to submit a portfolio of completed projects.
All applicants will be notified by May 12, 2017 of the selection committee’s decision.
For additional information about how to register and apply via the Smithsonian Online Academic Appointment System, please visit: nmai.si.edu/explore/collections/conservation/training/#andrew