The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago is an artist-activated, audience-engaged contemporary art museum. We generate art, ideas, and conversation around the creative process. We are a cultural leader of local necessity and international distinction. In addition, we aspire to make the MCA community—staff, audiences, and artists—reflective of the diversity of the city of Chicago. We strive to capture a spirit of access, inclusion, and equity in all we do.

We are now accepting applications for the new Barjeel Global Fellowship, offered in collaboration with the Barjeel Art Foundation. This exciting opportunity serves as an opportunity for budding international curators to learn and work in a pioneering, globally-focused American institution and invites a young, new perspective from the Middle East and/or North Africa regions to the MCA. The fellow will engage in exhibition- and/or collection-related research, write reports on possible acquisitions, and help curators plan and organize exhibitions and programming.

This full-time, twelve-month fellowship starts on July 1, 2019 and carries a stipend of $45,000 (inclusive of $10,000 for housing support),. J-1 visa costs, if applicable, will be covered by the MCA. The position is also eligible for a generous benefits package that includes health, dental, and vision insurance; paid vacation and personal days; free life, AD&D, short-term and long-term disability insurance; retirement plans; discounted parking; pre-tax transportation programs; free access to the MCA’s galleries; curator-led staff tours of MCA exhibitions; discounts at the MCA Store and MCA restaurant Marisol; discounts for MCA Stage and other programs; and a variety of discounts at many cultural institutions in the Chicagoland area.

QUALIFICATIONS AND QUALITIES

The MCA will consider exceptional candidates who originate from the Middle East and/or North Africa with backgrounds in art history, museum studies, and related fields whose work demonstrates a strong emphasis on art historical research and methodology. Qualified applicants must possess a Master of Arts degree or be in their final year of graduate work. Candidates must also possess two years of museum experience and/or research position at the college or university level. Demonstrated commitment to the field of contemporary art through writing, curating or other activities is also required. Evidence of self-directed curatorial work or critical writing is a plus, and candidates should exhibit strong communication skills and a readiness to express their intellect and point of view.

The application deadline is March 15, 2019.