Research Fellow jobs in Pasadena, TX

Project Description

Latinx art is an integral yet thus far significantly under-recognized part of American art. The MFAH understands “Latinx art” as work produced by artists of Latin American descent who were born or are active in the United States. This includes but is not limited to those who identify as Chicana/o, Puerto Rican/Nuyorican, Mexican American, Dominican American, Cuban American, as well as others born in Central, South America, or the Caribbean who have made the United States their country of residence. Despite Latinx artists’ critical contributions to U.S. art histories, their work has not benefitted from the same level of representation and visibility as their peers in mainstream arts institutions or university classrooms. The MFAH and its International Center for the Arts of the Americas (ICAA) are working to address this erasure via ¡Aquí Estamos!: Latinx Art at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. This multi-year, institution-wide initiative aims to transform this emergent field by opening critical pathways for the study and exhibition of Latinx art and artists within a major encyclopedic museum.

¡Aquí Estamos! will provide hands-on training for future museum and research professionals focused on Latinx art by placing fellows in Museum departments, including Curatorial, Conservation, Learning and Interpretation, and the ICAA. Mentored by key MFAH staff, emerging professionals and scholars will participate in an array of projects, including the ICAA Latinx Papers Project. Fellows will benefit from the unique and unprecedented opportunity to engage in the deep study of Latinx art with a cohort of ¡Aquí Estamos! fellows. Opportunities for collaboration and professional development will be facilitated by regular project meetings, workshops centered on critical issues in the field, and collaborative projects ranging from the development of collection object studies, interpretative materials, public programs, and/or publications.

Fellowship Description

A component of the larger ¡Aquí Estamos! initiative, the ICAA Latinx Papers Project seeks to significantly expand the representation of Latinx art within the ICAA’s groundbreaking Documents of Latin American and Latino Art digital platform. The Latinx Papers Project will focus on the preservation and dissemination of primary source materials —correspondence, manifestos, exhibition reviews, exhibition pamphlets, journal articles, etc.— that are critical to the field of Latinx art. A targeted selection of documents will be culled from key repositories across the United States. Participating ICAA Research Fellows will work with the ICAA headquarters and with partner repositories in Texas, California, Washington D.C., the Midwest, and the greater New York region to digitize, research, annotate, and publish thousands of documents to the Documents Project site.

Key to the ICAA Latinx Papers Project are emerging researchers who are well-positioned to make a significant contribution to this initiative and the field at large. Research fellowship opportunities recognize the importance of early career exposure to archival and primary source research in cultivating the next generation of scholars and curators in the field of Latinx art.  

The ICAA is offering a Research and Metadata Development Fellow the opportunity to assist in the research, processing, and publication of primary source documents for the ICAA’s Documents Project. Fellows will accumulate expertise on major figures related to Latinx artists and art movements active in targeted geographic regions; develop advanced research skills; and gain familiarity with the systems and best practices for digital archive projects. Additionally, the fellow will develop skills related to cataloguing processes including the creation of project-specific metadata.

This is a two-year, full-time, remote appointment with a one (1) year renewable option. The anticipated term is September 9^th, 2024 to August 28, 2026. This fellowship cannot be deferred.

Candidates should be currently enrolled in a PhD program in art history or related field are preferred. Candidates who recently received a MA degree and who possess a demonstrated knowledge of Latinx art, history, or culture will also be considered. Applicants with backgrounds historically underrepresented in museum professions are strongly encouraged to apply.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• In collaboration with ICAA staff, research and develop project-specific cataloging metadata including name authorities and topic descriptors.
• In collaboration with ICAA staff, research selected documents and write their accompanying synopses and annotations for publication to the ICAA Documents Project.
• As needed, conduct field research in partner repositories.
• Propose, develop and publish texts resulting from their project research for the ICAA’s Papelitos blog and/or Working Papers
• As needed, assist with administrative duties related to the project.
• Assist in conceptualizing and organizing public programs related to the project.
• Part Participate in the ¡Aquí Estamos! cohort working seminar and weekly Latinx Papers project-team meetings.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Currently enrolled in a PhD program in art history or related field preferred. Recent MA degree (conferred between May 31^st, 2021 and May 31^st, 2024) will also be considered.
• Demonstrated background or specialization in Latinx art is required. Related knowledge of modern and contemporary Latin American art is desired.
• Familiarity with or interest in cataloguing and library sciences is desired.
• Excellent research and writing skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively as well as to self-manage workloads.
• Previous experience working with archives and special collections is required.
• Proficiency in Spanish (verbal and written) is required.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office/365.
• Must currently be eligible to work in the United States.

Anticipated Schedule

This is a 2yr, full-time, remote position (35 hrs/wk). The fellowship is structured to accommodate the selected Fellow’s academic commitments. Working schedule is flexible, but duties must be performed in accordance with deadlines and project milestones as defined and established by the ICAA.

Stipend

The ICAA Research and Metadata Development Fellow will receive a $35,000 award and $3,500 allowance for research-related travel each year. The fellow is also eligible to receive benefits from the MFAH. Please note that the MFAH is unable to offer tuition assistance or remission.

Application Instructions

Qualified applicants should apply online, which will be the most effective way to ensure consideration.

1. Visit the MFAH Careers page at - https://www.mfah.org/about/careers/
2. "Click" on All current employment opportunities
3. Scroll through the listings to find this role.
4. "Click" and apply!

Please submit the following materials to MFAH Careers by May 3rd:

• Letter of interest describing your experience and professional goals as relevant to this opportunity (maximum 1500 words) 
• Curriculum vitae including relevant graduate coursework completed
• Academic writing sample (maximum 12-15 pages) 
• The name and contact information for at least two (2) academic or other relevant professional references

Applications or letters of interest sent via mail, fax, or direct email to a staff member will not ensure consideration. Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. Notifications will be sent by May 24th.  

About the MFAH

The MFAH is an organization comprised of 600 employees and 1,000 docents and volunteers. The museum is more than 100 years old and ranks nationally among the top 10 art museums in exhibition space, memberships, endowments, and attendance, with 1M visitors annually. Our multifaceted institution includes multiple gallery buildings, a sculpture garden, two art schools, three eateries and two house museums for decorative arts. The encyclopedic collection numbers more than 70,000 works of art in a wide range of media. As an employer, MFAH offers a supportive, collegial and inclusive work environment and a competitive benefits package.

Department Overview

The MFAH is an internationally recognized leader in the fields of Latin American and Latinx art. Over the last 20 years, the Museum built a core collection of post-World War II modern and contemporary art with over 850 emblematic works in all media from Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and the United States. During this time, the MFAH acquired works by major Latinx artists including Ana Mendieta, Luis Jiménez, Amalia Mesa-Bains, Mel Casas, César A. Martínez, Daniel Joseph Martinez, Margarita Cabrera, Camilo Ontiveros, Vincent Valdez, Adriana Corral, Jay Lynn Gomez, Antonio Martorell, and Allora & Calzadilla. To date, the Museum’s holdings in this area encompass 400 works by 71 artists.

In 2001, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH), established the Latin American Art Department and its research arm, the International Center for the Arts of the Americas (ICAA). The mission of the ICAA is to collect, exhibit, research, and educate audiences about the diverse artistic production of Latin American and Latinx communities. The ICAA organizes research-based exhibitions, maintains a dynamic publications program, and develops research and education projects that complement the MFAH’s renowned collections of Latin American and Latino art. The ICAA’s cornerstone initiative is the Documents of Latin American and Latino Art digital archive project, which is dedicated to recovering primary source documents and critical texts related to Latin American and Latinx art and making them accessible to a worldwide audience.

Position available

Title:                              ICAA Research and Metadata Development Fellow

Academic Level:          Currently enrolled in a PhD program in art history or related field or recent MA in art history or related field

Supervisor:                   Dr. Arden Decker and Dr. Liz Donato

Department:                Curatorial, International Center for the Arts of the Americas (ICAA)

Fellowship Term:         September 2024—August 2026

Work Location:            Remote

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

• Work will be performed remotely in a home, office, and libraries and archives.
• Ability to collect and analyze research and data as well as verbal information to reach logical recommendations and conclusions
• Ability to work under deadlines and sometimes changing requirements or expectations in an appropriate manner
• Job duties will include extended sitting, standing, and working with a computer

With or without reasonable accommodation, the individual selected must have the capacity to perform effectively all essential functions. In addition to the other demands mentioned, the demands of the job may or will include:

• Must undergo and meet company standards for relevant criminal background and professional reference checks
• Seeing, hearing, speaking, and writing clearly in order to communicate with staff, guests and others
• Good vision or corrected by use of glasses and/or contacts for reading and viewing abilities.

Equal Opportunities for All

At the MFAH, we believe that diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusivity are fundamental to our organization. We welcome all candidates whose experience has prepared them to contribute to our organization and our pledge for workplace diversity, inclusion, and excellence.

Our commitment to our policy and practice of nondiscrimination represents more than good intentions. It provides for employment decisions that are made without regard to race, creed, color, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as established by law or any other reason unrelated to your ability to join and contribute to our organization and support our mission to provide a museum experience for all.

Research shows that women and individuals from underrepresented backgrounds often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We recognize that it is highly unlikely that an applicant meets 100% of the qualifications for a given role. Therefore, if much of this job description describes you, then you are highly encouraged to apply for this role.

The MFAH is equally committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals interested in employment with the organization. As part of this commitment, we want to ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation needed to 1) participate in the job application or 2) interview process; 3) perform essential job functions; and/or 4) participate in the benefits and privileges of employment with the MFAH. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact the human resources department: HR@mfah.org.

Benefits

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, offers an excellent benefits package that includes:

• Medical Insurance: Employee and dependent coverage through a choice of managed health care programs
• Dental Insurance: Employee and dependent coverage through two plan choices
• Vision Insurance: Employee and dependent coverage through a vision program
• Group health, dental and vision insurance coverage available and effective the first of the month following employment with the MFAH for this role.
• Life Insurance & AD&D: Employee coverage at no cost to the employee
• Long Term Disability: Employee coverage at no cost to the employee

The MFAH provides a generous schedule for time off under the following benefit categories:

• Paid Time Off - Used for absences from work such as vacation, illness of short duration, and personal reasons. Hours are accrued biweekly, based on employment status, length of service, and hours worked
• Reserve Time Off - Used for extended illnesses. Employees accrue up to 6 days per year, up to a maximum of 120 days
• Holidays - Full-time employees receive ten paid holidays per year
• Volunteer Time Off - The MFAH supports activities that enhance and serve the communities in which we live and work. Employees receive up to 40 hours of paid time off annually to give back and volunteer.

Other Benefits

• MFAH Membership – Staff receive a free Family-level membership
• Discounts – Staff receive discounts on purchases at the Museum shop and all on campus eateries and the Glassell School of Art.
• Metro commuter subsidy available upon request