Call for Applications:  
Kress Interpretive Fellowship at the Columbia Museum of Art 

The Columbia Museum of Art (CMA) invites early career scholars and educators to apply for a 12-month Kress Interpretive Fellowship beginning in Fall 2025. This is a mentored professional development opportunity designed for emerging museum professionals and ideal for someone interested in art interpretation, bridging curatorial and educational work, and developing programs and materials for engaging audiences in meaningful conversations about art. 

The Kress Interpretive Fellow will be deeply involved in the CMA’s major collection reinstallation project, a wide-reaching initiative to reinterpret the museum’s four core collecting areas—American, European, Asian, and Modern & Contemporary art. This reinstallation coincides with the museum’s 75th anniversary and offers an opportunity to explore the CMACollection, as well recently acquired works, in new, audience-centered ways. In addition to this collection-based work, the fellow will have opportunities to contribute to interpretive planning, public-facing materials, and programs for other exhibitions scheduled during the fellowship period.  

Working across departments, the fellow will collaborate with both the Curatorial and Learning and Engagement teams to conduct research, write interpretive materials, utilize collection management systems, design educational tools, build programs, lead tours, teach in galleries, and support cross-departmental efforts for improving audience engagement. As part of their work with the education department, the fellow will also contribute to the development of resources for K–12 audiences. This includes thinking strategically and empathetically about how school visitors of various ages and with a number of learning needs can engage with the collection. The CMA serves thousands of K–12 students annually, and this fellowship presents a unique opportunity to shape how young learners experience art in a museum setting.  

This is a non-exempt, full-time temporary position over the course of 12 months, that includes a $40,000 stipend and time off/holiday benefits. This position does not include a healthcare or retirement package.  

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Completed degree (B.A.) in art history, art education, studio art, or museum studies and one who is pursuing or contemplating graduate study or professional placement in these or related fields. 

• Demonstrated experience in research and writing, particularly in art historical or interpretive contexts 

• Strong communication skills—both written and verbal—with the ability to adapt content for different audiences 

• Experience with or exposure to teaching in museum, classroom, or community settings 

• Demonstrated interest in community engagement, accessibility, or inclusive interpretive practices 

• Ability to work collaboratively across teams as well as independently 

• Commitment to inclusive, public-centered engagement 

• Potential to pursue a career in interpretation within the art museum community and make contributions to the field 

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Completed degree (M.A., or Ph.D.) in art history, art education, studio art, or museum studies and one who is pursuing or contemplating further graduate study or professional placement in these or related fields. 

• 2-3 years (or more) experience teaching in or working in educational settings 

• Familiarity with museum databases, archives, or digital interpretation tools 

• Multilingual skills, including but not limited to Spanish, French, American Sign Language (ASL), etc. 

To be considered for this fellowship, please submit the following: 

• CV outlining relevant professional experiences 

• Letter of interest 

• 2 writing samples—demonstrating skills in research, art analysis, and interpretation  

• 1 sample could include a comprehensive lesson plan with learning materials  

• Contact information for 2 references  

Note About Fellowship Selection 

The Columbia Museum of Art will conduct an initial review of applications to select finalists for interviews. A candidate will then be presented to the Kress Foundation for final consideration and review. Final approval of the award will be contingent on the Kress Foundation’s approval of the selected Fellow and their commitment and potential to make a contribution to the art community and field of interpretation within art museums.  

Applications will beaccepted on an open timeline,withinitial interviewsbeginning in mid-August. There is no official start date for this position, however, mid-September to beginning of October would be theideal timeframefor the fellowship to begin.  

Contact 

The Columbia Museum of Art is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Confidential inquiries, applications, and recommendations are welcome. Please email your materials to cdevin@columbiamuseum.org.