Fellowships at LACMA support the development and training of future museum leaders. The diversification of our programming, collection, audience, staff, and leadership is a major priority for the museum. Through ladder programs for museum leadership roles, LACMA is dedicated to fostering inclusive cultures that reflect the communities we serve.
Fellowships at LACMA support the development and training of future museum leaders. The diversification of our programming, collection, audience, staff, and leadership is a major priority for the museum. Through ladder programs for museum leadership roles, LACMA is dedicated to fostering inclusive cultures that reflect the communities we serve.
Mellon Summer Academy and Undergraduate Curatorial Fellowship Program (Paused)
Program Overview
Over the last decade, the Andrew W. Mellon Undergraduate Curatorial Fellowship (MUCF) program has sought to diversify curatorial cohorts in American art museums, supporting the work that foregrounds the growth of strong and diverse curatorial ranks into robust and distinct art museum leadership. Following the current class of 2021-22 fellows, the MUCF will pause in order to conduct a thorough evaluation and assessment of program goals and strategies. During this process, the Foundation will analyze the program’s achievements, identify opportunities for improvement, and strengthen best practices for revitalized programming that is equal to the challenges and opportunities of our current moment. We anticipate that the program will resume in late 2023 or early 2024, ready to continue the critical work that creates a coherent web of opportunities that lead from undergraduate through graduate work to curatorial positions in our nation’s cultural institutions.
For more information please reference the FAQs pdf.
Mellon Summer Academy and Undergraduate Curatorial Fellowship Program (Paused)
Program Overview
Over the last decade, the Andrew W. Mellon Undergraduate Curatorial Fellowship (MUCF) program has sought to diversify curatorial cohorts in American art museums, supporting the work that foregrounds the growth of strong and diverse curatorial ranks into robust and distinct art museum leadership. Following the current class of 2021-22 fellows, the MUCF will pause in order to conduct a thorough evaluation and assessment of program goals and strategies. During this process, the Foundation will analyze the program’s achievements, identify opportunities for improvement, and strengthen best practices for revitalized programming that is equal to the challenges and opportunities of our current moment. We anticipate that the program will resume in late 2023 or early 2024, ready to continue the critical work that creates a coherent web of opportunities that lead from undergraduate through graduate work to curatorial positions in our nation’s cultural institutions.
For more information please reference the FAQs pdf.
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LACMA-ASU Master's Fellowship in Art History
LACMA and ASU recognize that, while graduate training in art history remains a requirement in the museum field, it is one of the most significant barriers to equitable advancement as employees must choose between continuing to work and graduate training. Launched in 2018, the LACMA-ASU Master's Fellowship in Art History was designed to address this issue.
The LACMA-ASU Master's Fellowship in Art History is a three-year program, pairing rigorous academic instruction through traditional master’s-level coursework and thesis with on-the-job work experience. Fellows, who are current LACMA or ASU Art Museum employees, will enroll in two courses per semester remotely, and fulfill language, professional development, and research requirements during the summer, while continuing in their current role at the museum. Fellows completing the program receive a master’s degree in Art History from ASU.
Who?
The program recruits current employees who are interested in obtaining a Master's degree in Art History while continuing to work at the museum, and who have a specific interest in making museums more inclusive and equitable.
Museum Work
Fellows remain employed by their home institution throughout the fellowship. Museums support the Fellows during this period by giving Fellows flexibility to attend courses during work day and providing funding and time to participate in travel required as part of the fellowship.
Coursework
Fellows enroll in two graduate level courses each semester, completing their degrees in three years. In addition, Fellows must complete language and Master's thesis requirements. Students participate in graduate-level seminars taking place in either Los Angeles or Arizona “live” via Zoom video-conference software.
Professional Development and Mentoring
Fellows are expected to travel* to 1-2 convenings at either ASU or LACMA each semester and participate in convenings focused on current issues in museum practice and institutional leadership. Fellows also participate in a customized externship at the end of their second year. In addition to coursework, an outside museum professional is provided as a mentor to each fellow to provide individual counsel on their graduate study, thesis and externship design, and ongoing career trajectory.
(*travel has been temporarily suspended due to Covid-19)