Position title: Postdoctoral Fellow
Reports to: Chief Curator at KIA; Art and Art History Department Chair at Kalamazoo College
Classification: Full-Time, Exempt
Summary of position: The Kalamazoo Institute of Arts (KIA) and Kalamazoo College (K College) seek a two-year postdoctoral fellow, with the possibility of renewal for a third year. The successful candidate will balance responsibilities between the two institutions. A typical schedule might include teaching one course at Kalamazoo College during their 10-week term while contributing 20 hours per week at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts. Final schedule and course rotation will be determined in consultation with both institutions.
Program:
• Recent Ph.D. holders (degree granted within the past five years or by June 1, 2023).
• Specialization in art history, visual culture, museum studies, cultural studies or ethnic studies.
• Propose two new interdisciplinary courses that intersect with art history, the KIA collection of American Art and are inclusive of race and ethnicity.
• Propose potential research areas with Kalamazoo College students utilizing the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts permanent collection.
• Fellowship period will run from June 1, 2023 to June 30, 2025, with the possibility of renewal for a third fellowship year.
Kalamazoo College Responsibilities:
• Teach five courses over the course of the two-year fellowship. Courses offered and schedule will be determined in consultation with the Department of Art and Art History at Kalamazoo College and may include Shared Passages courses, interdisciplinary cross-listed courses, as well as art history electives, and core requirements for the art history major.
• Deliver a public lecture on postdoctoral research in either the first or second year.
• Participate in Kalamazoo College department and college-wide events.
• Work with Art and Art History faculty in assessing and implementing the new art history curriculum and course offerings.
• Serve as a mentor for Art History majors and minors.
• Create opportunities for students to utilize the KIA collection in terms of coursework, assignments, events, etc.
• Work with department and college communities on hosting symposia, inviting speakers, and visiting artists. Coordinate opportunities for collaboration on these events with the KIA.
• Participate in Studio Art SIP critiques and grading during the winter quarters.
Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Responsibilities:
• Assists Exhibitions and Collections Department with various duties associated with a rotating exhibition schedule, including, but not limited to, correspondence, loan agreements, drafting wall labels and didactic texts, and compiling research and data. Coordinate with other departments to develop materials on American Art, including interpretive texts and gallery guides.
• Coordinates and manages internal and external research and cataloguing of the permanent collection, including compiling information for the object files and the input of information into the digital collections database. In conjunction with KIA registrar, responsible for researching best practices for the care and conservation of the American Art collection.
• Presents public lectures and gallery talks about exhibitions or about specific artists in the permanent collection.
• Assists with the development, implementation, design, and installation of exhibitions as assigned, as well as the archiving of exhibition files.
• Builds and maintains relationships with other organizations of both academic and non-academic nature in the Kalamazoo community and region.
• Works with Museum Education, and other departments as needed, including the Kirk Newman Art School.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Chief Curator.
Job requirements:
• Ability to work effectively in a team setting within the department and collaborate across institutions and within the community.
• Effective communication skills with diverse academic and public constituencies.
• Innovative, yet pragmatic approach to building new audiences and stakeholders.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Knowledge or awareness of collections software.
• Excellent oral and written capabilities.
• Keen attention to detail and basic knowledge of organizational best practices.
Salary range: Salary range for this position is $50,000-$54,000 with additional support for relocation costs.
Deadline for completed applications: January 30, 2023.
This position is a full-time, exempt position offering the following benefits: health, dental, 403(b) retirement matching, vacation time and sick time. The KIA is an equal opportunity, equal access employer that is fully committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
Research shows that women and individuals from underrepresented backgrounds often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We recognize that it is highly unlikely that an applicant meets 100% of the qualifications for a given role. Therefore, if much of this job description describes you, then you are highly encouraged to apply for this role.
Physical job requirements: While performing this job, the employee will be required to sit, stand, walk, reach, lift/move up to 50 lbs. occasionally, do close work with a computer monitor and perform repetitive hand movements. Employee is required to be able to have written and verbal conversations.
How to apply: Please submit the following documents for consideration:
- Cover Letter
- Resume
- Writing Sample (15 Pages or Less)
- A Sample Syllabus
- Three (3) References
You can apply directly through the form below, or if direct contact is preferred, you may forward all requested documentation to the Hiring Manager at with Postdoctoral Curatorial Fellow in the subject line or by mail to Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, 314 S. Park Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49007. No phone calls, please.