The Joan Hall and Mark Weil Conservation Fund Fellowship is open to undergraduate students from all disciplinary backgrounds. The Hall/Weil Fellow will receive professional conservation training from the museum’s Objects Conservator to introduce them to the collections care and preventive conservation activities relating to the museum’s permanent collection. The Fellow will assist the conservator, supporting both the short-term and long-term care of original works of art, including condition reporting, written and digital photo-documentation, dusting and basic cleaning of art, stabilizing of art, preparing art for loan and travel, as well as monitoring works on display and in storage.
The Hall/Weil Fellow must commit to a two-year fellowship, serving six hours per week during the fall and spring semesters. The fellow will receive $14.40 per hour, disbursed through student payroll for RISD students or as an annual stipend check for non-RISD students. This program is open to undergraduate students at any local college or university graduating in 2026 or later. Students who are not U.S. citizens are welcome to apply if they attend RISD or if they have a visa that is valid for the entire program (through May 2026). Because this position is a 2-year commitment, interested students should consider their availability to commit for the duration of the fellowship. Eligibility for those planning to study abroad will be addressed on a case-by-case basis. The fellow and supervisor will agree to a regular schedule each semester of two 3-hour shifts, to be scheduled between 9 and 5 on weekdays.
Experience and knowledge in fine art, studio art, art history, archaeology or science is preferred. Excellent verbal and written communication skills are necessary, and a familiarity with the art materials used to create three-dimensional works of art is preferred; a basic understanding of science, especially chemistry, is preferred but not required. Additional skills such as patience, the ability to notice and focus on minute details, and fine motor skills are often necessary for work in conservation. Applications are due Monday, February 19, 2024 at 11:59pm. Interviews will be held in early March and all applicants will be notified by early April. Training begins in early September 2024.
Benefits for the Hall/Weil Fellow include:
- Professional training and mentoring with Museum conservator(s)
- Development of knowledge pertaining to art conservation ethics, theories, skills, and hands-on practices
- Opportunities to connect studio practice and areas of study to the RISD Museum’s collection
- Opportunities to build working relationships with the conservators at the museum, as well as the curatorial, installation, and registration departments
- Limited funds for travel and professional development
This fellowship at the RISD Museum is made possible by the Joan Hall and Mark Weil Conservation Fund.
For questions regarding the Hall/Weil Fellowship, please email museum-academic@risd.edu.