Cunningham Fellow in Academic and Public Programs

Posting date: December 16, 2025

001983SR

1. Job Type Full-time

2. Location Cambridge

3. School/Unit Harvard University Central Administration

4. Department Harvard Art Museums

5. Salary Grade 090

6. Job Function Museum

7. FLSA Status Exempt

8. Term Appointment Yes

9. Union 00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Company Description

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Why join Harvard Art Museums?

The Harvard Art Museums is part of Harvard University's Central Administration (CADM). At the intersection of public access and higher education, the Harvard Art Museums invite everyone to embrace inquiry, dialogue, and new perspectives on art and ideas. The museums’ global collections encompass a broad range of time periods and geographies.

Job Description

At the intersection of public access and higher education, the Harvard Art Museums invite everyone to embrace inquiry, dialogue, and new perspectives on art and ideas. The museums’ global collections encompass a broad range of time periods and geographies.

The Fellowship Program at the Harvard Art Museums is designed to broaden the experience of those embarking on professional museum careers in art history and related fields, conservation and conservation science, and/or museum education. Fellows are integral members of the museums’ staff, take part in departmental and museum-wide meetings, and collaborate with colleagues across the museums. Fellows are active members of the program cohort, participating in regular Fellows meetings, workshops, specialized training, and organized activities throughout the year, including presenting their work at an annual Fellows Symposium.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

• The Cunningham Fellow, working closely with the Associate Director of Academic Engagement and Campus Partnerships and Research Curator, will share fully in a range of teaching, learning, and research activities in the Division of Academic and Public Programs (DAPP). The Fellow will support teaching for all Harvard departments and schools at the Harvard Art Museums.
• The Fellow will schedule class visits to the museums, monitor gallery closures and object availability, and communicate with academic and curatorial staff as directed.
• The Fellow supports interdisciplinary teaching initiatives. Working closely with faculty and teaching fellows, the Fellow will help design learning experiences and develop materials for Harvard class visits. This includes researching works in the collection and drafting applicable teaching notes. The Fellow will teach for Harvard class visits to the museums in a range of disciplines.
• The Fellow will support the Graduate Student Teacher (GST) Program, a partnership with the only public high school in Cambridge (Cambridge Rindge and Latin School, CRLS), in which graduate students teach gallery visits for a range of interdisciplinary high school classes. The Fellow will schedule all CRLS visits, attend the weekly GST Program meetings, and contribute to the program’s organization and content. The Fellow will serve as an advisor for the Graduate Student Teachers, especially in the design of their gallery lessons.
• Foregrounding the museums’ teaching and research mission, the Fellow also participates in interdisciplinary teaching and contributes to a rich offering of public and academic interpretive programs across various platforms.
• The Fellow may supervise students and temporary employees.
• The above covers the most significant responsibilities of the position. It does not, however, exclude other duties, the inclusion of which would be in conformity with the position.

Qualifications

Candidates MUST meet the following basic qualifications in order to be considered for this role:

MA in Education, Art History, or related field

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• University-level teaching experience in museums and/or classrooms preferred
• Demonstrated experience with learning design in museums and/or classrooms
• Demonstrated research skills, preferably related to art or other museum objects
• Commitment to fostering museum literacy and a museum-going identity among students and other visitors
• Excellent time management skills; comfort working in a fast-paced environment; ability to manage multiple tasks and ongoing projects at once
• Demonstrated administrative skills, preferably through experience in a museum and/or higher education setting
• Museum or related experience preferred; interest in expanding canonical narratives strongly encouraged
• Commitment to fostering the appreciation of works of art in a museum context
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills; ability to work independently as well as collaboratively as part of a team

We believe in the potential of candidates from all backgrounds and experiences. If you meet the Basic Qualifications for this role and are excited about the opportunity, we encourage you to apply—even if you don't meet every single Additional Qualification. Whether you're starting your career, re-entering the workforce, transitioning fields, or seeking the next step, we welcome your unique perspective. Please use your cover letter to share your passion for art museums and how you envision contributing to this role.

Additional Information

• Term: This fellowship is a term position starting on August 3, 2026 and ending on August 2, 2028.
• Compensation: $60,000 annualized compensation
• Benefits: The Fellow has access to travel funding and is eligible to participate in Harvard’s fringe benefits program.
• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week.
• Work Location: This position works on site at both the museum in Cambridge, MA, and periodically at a second facility in Somerville, MA.
• Pre-Employment Screening: Harvard University requires pre-employment reference and background screenings: Identity, Education, and Criminal.
• Orientation and Review Period: This position has a 3-month orientation and review period.

Application Procedures:

Please apply online with a cover letter and a résumé or curriculum vitae. Complete applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, starting January 26, 2026, and continuing until the position is filled.

Upon review of applications, select candidates will be notified to submit two letters of recommendation. Supporting documents may include writing samples and other materials.