Conservation Training

The National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) is committed to equity and social justice for the Native/Indigenous peoples of the Western Hemisphere through education, inspiration, and empowerment. The NMAI stewards one of the most extensive collections of Native American cultural heritage in the world—approximately 825,000 items—representing over 12,000 years of history and more than 1,200 Indigenous cultures throughout the Americas.

The NMAI has three locations: the museums in Washington, DC, New York, and the Cultural Resources Center (CRC) in Suitland Maryland, where the collection is housed and conservation labs are located.

The NMAI Conservation Department offers several types of training opportunities: for people interested in cultural heritage conservation, for practicing conservators seeking professional development, and for museum professionals from tribal museums and cultural centers.

NINE MONTH CONSERVATION INTERNSHIP

One nine-month internship in cultural heritage conservation is offered each fall for aspiring conservators and those in allied fields interested in expanding their conservation experience. Interns perform supervised condition examinations, prepare treatment proposals, reports, and photo documentation, carry out supervised treatments, and gain collections stewardship experience. An understanding of Native American/Indigenous cultural heritage and relevant approaches to collections stewardship, conservation, and mountmaking are developed during the internship period. The internship is full-time, 40 hours/week.

Eligibility: The nine-month internship is designed for those considering applying to a graduate-level training program in cultural heritage conservation and those in allied fields interested in expanding their experience in conservation. Applicants should demonstrate strong interest in Native/Indigenous cultural heritage and fluency in written and spoken English.

The Smithsonian is committed to ensuring that all employees and affiliated persons (e.g., interns, research associates, fellows, and volunteers) are treated equitably in an environment that is free from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, gender stereotyping, pregnancy, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, parental status, or marital status.

Location: The internship is primarily located at the NMAI Cultural Resources Center.

Submission requirements:
Resume/CV
Letter of intent
Two letters of professional recommendation
Unofficial undergraduate transcripts

Stipend: This position carries a stipend of $37,000.

How to apply: Applications must be completed and submitted through the Smithsonian Online Academic Appointment System (SOLAA) by the closing date. Requirements include unofficial undergraduate transcripts; a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or its equivalent; curriculum vitae; and two letters of recommendation from professional referees.

Visit Smithsonian Internships for information about Smithsonian internships and how to register and apply.

NMAI CONSERVATION ANDREW W. MELLON FELLOWSHIP

NMAI offers one fellowship each fall in the conservation of the cultural heritage of Indigenous peoples of the Western Hemisphere. The position is open to candidates with a strong interest in collaborative conservation and a concentration in objects and/or textile conservation. The fellowship is full-time, 40 hours/week. With the guidance of Conservation staff, the fellow develops and carries out a research project designed to serve the NMAI’s Native/Indigenous constituency. The fellow takes part in Conservation Department activities such as collections stewardship, condition surveys, and conservation of collections items for NMAI exhibits and outgoing loans. An understanding of Native American/Indigenous cultural heritage and relevant approaches to collections stewardship, conservation, and mountmaking are developed during the fellowship. The fellowship is primarily located at the NMAI Cultural Resources Center in Suitland, Maryland.

Eligibility: The fellowship is designed for recent graduates (within 5 years) from recognized conservation training programs or those with equivalent experience. Applicants should demonstrate strong interest in Native/Indigenous cultural heritage, a proven record of research skills, writing ability, and fluency in written and spoken English.

The Smithsonian is committed to ensuring that all employees and affiliated persons (e.g., interns, research associates, fellows, and volunteers) are treated equitably in an environment that is free from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, gender stereotyping, pregnancy, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, parental status, or marital status.

Location: The fellowship is primarily located at the NMAI Cultural Resources Center.

Term: two years

Annual stipend: $50,000 plus $5,000/year for research and related travel and $5,000/year to assist with costs of medical insurance. Funding for one roundtrip ticket for relocation is also provided.

Submission requirements:
Three treatment reports
Proposal outlining goals of the fellowship and potential research topics
Budget template for the $5,000 research allowance (download template and completed example)
Three letters of professional recommendation
Unofficial undergraduate and graduate transcripts

How to apply: Applications must be completed and submitted through the Smithsonian Online Academic Appointment System (SOLAA). Finalists will be invited for an online interview and an opportunity to present portfolio selections.

Visit Smithsonian Fellowships for information about Smithsonian fellowships and how to register and apply.