Apply for a 2027–2028 Fellowship at the Smithsonian American Art Museum

The Smithsonian American Art Museum, renowned for its extensive collection of over 47,600 works, is currently accepting applications for its prestigious fellowship program. This program, the oldest and largest of its kind in American art, seeks scholars from any discipline who are engaged with the art, craft, and visual culture of the United States, as well as those who offer fresh perspectives, materials, and methodologies.

Fellows have the opportunity to conduct full-time research within the museum’s collection, which includes a vast array of resources such as carrels, specialized study collections, databases, and the Smithsonian Archives of American Art. The Research and Scholars Center, conveniently located near other Smithsonian museums and libraries, the Library of Congress, the National Archives, and the National Gallery of Art, offers a conducive environment for scholarly exchange and professional development.

Three distinct fellowship opportunities are available: the SIFP Fellowships at SAAM, the Betsy James Wyeth Fellowship in Native American Art, and the Audrey Flack Short-Term Fellowship. The SIFP Fellowships are open to predoctoral, postdoctoral, and senior candidates, with a deadline of October 15, 2026. The Betsy James Wyeth Fellowship, a collaboration between SAAM and the National Museum of the American Indian, offers predoctoral, postdoctoral, or senior-level terms, with a deadline of the same date.

Lastly, the Audrey Flack Short-Term Fellowship, awarded annually for a one-month term, also follows a deadline of February 1, 2027. Interested candidates are encouraged to visit americanart.si.edu/fellowships or email saamfellowships@si.edu for additional information.