Deadline extended! Applications now due Monday, March 7, 2022 at 11:59pm.
The Spalter Teaching Fellowship is open to RISD and Brown graduate and undergraduate students from all disciplinary backgrounds. Spalter Teaching Fellows are trained as RISD Museum educators and are responsible for teaching and working with children and youth ages 5 to 18. They undergo rigorous training with the Museum’s educators, who introduce them to the Museum’s collection and pedagogy. Fellows support learning from original works of art and the development critical thinking, problem solving, and creative interpretation.
There are two fellowships available in School and Teacher programs (for a RISD student and a Brown University student). There is one fellowship available in Teen programs (for a Brown University student)
Spalter Teaching Fellows receive $5000 per academic year and must commit to a two-year fellowship, serving up to eight hours per week. Stipends are processed at the end of each academic year. Applicants must have an anticipated graduation date of spring 2024 or later. Eligibility for those planning to study abroad will be addressed on a case-by-case basis. Excellent verbal and written communication skills are necessary, and a familiarity with visual art is preferred; foreign-language skills are highly desirable. Additional skills, interest, and requirements are needed for the two specific program areas.
The RISD Museum was founded on the belief that art, artists, and the institutions that support them play pivotal roles in promoting broad civic engagement and creating more open societies. We aspire to create an accessible and inclusive environment that builds meaningful relationships across all communities. Cultural competence, collaborations with diverse communities, or other areas of experience or expertise that support these goals are preferred.
Applications must include: a cover letter answering questions; a resumé; relevant coursework; discussion of a RISD Museum object; and names and contact information of three references (phone numbers and email addresses only; no reference letters needed). Interviews will be held from mid to late March and all applicants will be notified by the end of April. Training begins in early September 2022.
Applicants can apply for one or both of these two program areas. Selected applicants will work in one of the program areas:
School + Teacher programs:
Fellows in School + Teacher programs will lead guided visits with K-12 school-aged students, training and teaching with museum educators and volunteer docents. Applicants should demonstrate a strong desire to foster object-based learning through discussion and other forms of exploration in a museum context; excellent organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills; and the ability to work independently as well as collaboratively.
Fellows must be available two mornings a week between 10 am and 12 pm, Tuesday through Friday with occasional afternoon options. Commitment is between two and eight hours each week (between Tuesday through Friday) to prepare and lead guided visits. Interested applicants will have experience working with children, will display a commitment to teaching from original works of art, and will show an interest in working with school-based learning and teaching.
Teen programs:
Partnering with museum staff, Fellows will develop and implement weekly hands-on art making projects for high school students inspired by objects and ideas in RISD Museum collections. Applicants should have a strong relationship to hands-on art-making processes, an interest in working with youth 13-18, and a desire to participate in collaborative and creative processes. Fellows must be available Friday afternoons from 2-5:30 pm and other times on occasion.
Benefits for Spalter Teaching Fellows include:
- Professional training and mentoring with Museum educators
- Development of teaching skills and practices
- Opportunities to connect studio practice and areas of study to the RISD Museum’s collection
- Opportunities to build relationships with schools, educators, students, and teens in Providence and across Rhode Island
For questions regarding the Spalter Fellowship, please email museum-academic@risd.edu.