What is a curator, and what do curators do?How are exhibitions created?What skills are needed to work in a museum?

If so, apply to the Summer Academy, a one-week program providing a rich experience in the museum environment with:

• Behind-the-scenes art museum tours• Workshops with art museum professionals• Tours of exhibitions with curators• Networking events with art museum professionals• A stipend for participation in the Academy

The Andrew W. Mellon Summer Academy and Undergraduate Curatorial Fellowship Program aims to provide specialized training in the curatorial field for students across the United States from diverse backgrounds.

After completing the Summer Academy, participants will submit supplemental materials for consideration for a Fellowship.

For more information, and to apply, visit:www.MFAH.org/mellonfellowship

Application deadline: April 7, 2014Additional questions, please contact: fellowship@MFAH.org

The Andrew W. Mellon Summer Academy and

Undergraduate Curatorial Fellowship Program

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

Have you ever

wondered…

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The Andrew W. Mellon Summer Academy and Undergraduate Curatorial FellowshipProgram at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

OVERVIEW

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston is pleased to announce the launch of The Andrew W. Mellon Undergraduate Curatorial Fellowship Program, which provides specialized training in the curatorial field for students of diverse backgrounds. The fellowship seeks to make a critical impact on American art museums by developing gifted curators who are committed to engaging with the full spectrum of museum audiences. This five year initiative is generously supported by a $2 million grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

The Andrew W. Mellon Undergraduate Fellowship is implemented at five partnering institutions: the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston; the Art Institute of Chicago; the High Museum of Art, Atlanta; the Los Angeles County Museum of Art; and the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City.

During each of two Summer Academies in 2014 & 2015 at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, fifteen students will participate in a week-long intensive series of workshops aimed at introducing candidates to the curatorial field. Two Fellows will be chosen following Summer Academies held at each museum. Four students will be selected as Curatorial Fellows for this intensive program at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, with a total of twenty students participating nationwide.

The four Curatorial Fellows selected by the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston will participate in a multiyear program that provides hands-on experience inside a museum setting, such as working with curators and staff on exhibitions, and with collections and travel to partner museums. Designed as a series of ongoing summer internships at the museum, followed by less intensive engagement during the academic year, fellows are provided a generous stipend and are assigned museum mentors. Mentors will work with students to enrich the academic experience and to increase exposure to the museum context while broadening their understanding of art and art history.

This program is open to freshmen and sophomore students representing diverse cultures and background.

Applications are due, with recommendations, by April 7, 2014.

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The Andrew W. Mellon Summer Academy and Undergraduate Curatorial Fellowship

Program at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Eligibility

Who is eligible to apply?

1) Students representing diversity in terms of culture, background, or experiences.

2) Undergraduates currently enrolled at a university, college or community college.

3) Undergraduates who, if selected as a fellow, can commit to two years in the program prior to

graduating.

4) Individuals who are eligible to work in the United States

What other qualifications are preferred?

1) Students can demonstrate an interest in art, art history or the museum field.

2) Students are enrolled at a university, college or community college located near a partner museum.

Partner museums are the Art Institute of Chicago (AIC), the High Museum of Art, Atlanta (High), the

Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), the Museum of Fine Arts Houston (MFAH), and the

Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City (NAMA).

3) Students are open to the idea of pursuing a master's or doctorate degree in the arts or museum

field.

Summer Academy

What is the Summer Academy?

The Summer Academy is a one-week intensive program consisting of workshops, tours, field trips and

networking events with museum professionals. They will be offered in summer 2014 and summer 2015 at

each partnering museum. Summer Academies are designed to provide a rich experience in the museum

environment and expose participants to career options related to art and art history.

How long is the Summer Academy?

Summer Academy participants must spend one week at their host museum.

Is there financial support to participate in the Summer Academy?

Yes. Summer Academy participants will receive a daily per diem. If students do not live in the location of

the Summer Academy host museum, a modest travel and housing stipend may be provided.

How many students will be selected for each Summer Academy?

15 students will be selected for each Summer Academy at each museum.

The Andrew W. Mellon Undergraduate Curatorial Fellowship Program

and Summer Academy

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The Mellon Undergraduate Curatorial Fellowship Program

What is the Fellowship Program?

The Mellon Undergraduate Curatorial Fellowship Program is a multi-year program providing fellows with

hands-on experience inside a museum setting, working with curators and staff on exhibitions, collections

and programs.

How long is the Fellowship Program?

Fellows can expect to spend two years at their host museum. During the academic year, fellows must meet

with their mentors and with a local program coordinator on a regular basis. In the summer, fellows will

have 10-week intensive summer internships. Fellows will also participate in a yearly national convening at

one of the partner museums rotating annually, and will engage their counterparts across the country in an

online community platform.

Is there financial support to participate in the fellowship program?

Yes. Once selected as a fellow, students will receive $4,000 during the academic school year to alleviate

financial pressures which might otherwise require a student to pursue part-time work or work study

arrangements. In addition, fellows will receive $6,000 during the summer internships. A housing and travel

stipend may also be provided to fellows during the summer internships.

How are fellows selected?

Students must first apply to a Summer Academy held at one of the partnering museums. After completing

the Summer Academy, participants will submit supplemental materials and have in-person interviews for

consideration for the fellowship program.

How many students will be selected to be fellows?

A total of 20 students will be selected as fellows, two at each museum following each Summer Academy

resulting in four at each museum.

When will students be notified if they have been selected to participate in a Summer Academy?

Students will be notified on or around April 22nd, 2014.

Should I attend a college close to one of the partner museums?

Yes, this is preferred. Fellows selected from the Summer Academies for the Fellowship program will be paired

with a mentor at the host museum with whom they will work with on projects and with whom they will meet

regularly during the academic year and summer.

The Andrew W. Mellon Undergraduate Curatorial Fellowship Program

and Summer Academy

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Do I apply to the Summer Academy and to the Fellowship program separately?

No. Students must apply and participate in the Summer Academy in order to be considered for the Fellowship

program.

If I applied to a 2014 Summer Academy and was not selected to participate in it, can I re-apply to a 2015

Summer Academy?

Yes, you may apply to the program if you still meet all the eligibility requirements.

If I applied to a 2014 Summer Academy, participated in it but was not selected to be a fellow, can I apply to a

2015 Summer Academy?

No. Students who participate in a Summer Academy may not re-apply to the program, but may be considered

for opportunities at the museum in the future.