Fellowships at the National Museum of the American Indian

National Museum of the American Indian
Andrew W. Mellon Advanced Training Fellowships in
Ethnographic and Archaeological Object and Textile Conservation

The National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) is offering two
fellowships in ethnographic and archaeological object and textile
conservation, funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.  These
fellowships are for one year with a possible renewal of a second
year. Fellowships will commence in the fall of 2007 and include a
stipend in the low $30K's with $3000 for travel and research plus
medical insurance and benefits. Fellows will work on 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 sites: Washington,
DC, and New York City, and loans. The fellowships are located in
Suitland MD (outside of Washington DC).

The fellowships are intended to cultivate practical skills as well
as to foster a solid understanding of the contexts of material
culture, the philosophies of conservation at NMAI, 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: The applicant should be a recent graduate
of a recognized conservation training program or have equivalent
training and experience. The candidates with the best qualifications
will be those who are pursuing a career in the conservation of
material culture of the Indigenous peoples of North, Central and
South America.  The applicant should have a proven record of
research, writing ability, and proficient English language skills
(written and spoken).  Fellowships are awarded without regard to
age, sex, race, or nationality of the applicant.

Application Procedure Interested candidates must submit the
following materials in English:

    Transcripts of both undergraduate and graduate courses of
    academic study with an explanation of the evaluation system if
    it is not equivalent to that of the US

    A curriculum vitae including basic biographical information,
    current and permanent addresses, phone numbers, and e-mail
    addresses

    At least two examples of pertinent publications, lectures, or
    other written material

    A cover letter explaining candidate's interests and intent in
    applying for the fellowship

    Two letters of recommendation from conservation professionals
    familiar with the candidate's work and one letter of personal
    reference

The material must be received by March 15, 2007 and sent to:

    Marian A. Kaminitz
    Head of Conservation
    National Museum of the American Indian/Smithsonian Institution
    Cultural Resources Center, MRC 538
    4220 Silver Hill Road
    Suitland MD 20746

    E-mail address for inquiries only: kaminitzm [at] si__edu

Finalists will be invited for an interview and asked to submit a
portfolio of completed projects.

All applicants will be notified by May 25, 2007 of the selection
committee's decision.


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 20:34
                 Distributed: Saturday, January 6, 2007
                       Message Id: cdl-20-34-014
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