Post-graduate Fellowships at the National Museum of the American Indian

[Susan Heald <healds@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

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 2006 and include a stipend in the low $30K's with
$3000 for travel and research plus medical insurance. 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 includes 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 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, 2006 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@xxxxxx

Finalists will be invited for an interview and asked to submit a portfolio
of completed projects. All applicants will be notified by May 25, 2006 of
the selection committee's decision.