Fellowships
SHELDON HACKNEY FELLOWSHIPS
Join us at the Martha’s Vineyard Museum for an unforgettable summer fellowship experience! Our program offers a unique blend of activities that will immerse you in the fascinating world of museum work. For summer 2024, the MV Museum will offer fellowships focusing on archives, education, and marketing and events.
The Martha’s Vineyard Museum has had a summer fellowship program in place since 1993. In 2013, the fellowship program was dedicated to Sheldon Hackney, former president of the University of Pennsylvania and Tulane University, Chair of the National Endowment for the Humanities under President Bill Clinton, and former MVM Board Chairman. Sheldon staunchly advocated for educational opportunities, community development, and the importance of history throughout his life.
The application for 2024 fellowship positions is now closed. If you have a question regarding an existing application, please contact fellows@mvmuseum.org.
APPLICATION PROCESS
To be considered for a summer fellowship, you must submit a complete application to MVM by February 25, 2024.
A completed application package includes:
- Application Form
- Cover Letter
- Resume
- Two Letters of Recommendation
- A One Page Writing Sample (for archives fellow applicants only). This can be any writing done for a college class, job, internship, etc. You do not need to create a new writing sample for the purpose of this application.
If you have any questions, please email Savannah Berryman-Moore at fellows@mvmuseum.org
DUTIES AND DURATION OF THE FELLOWSHIP
Along with the tasks assigned by their supervisor, fellows will be asked to participate in several organizational events and perform a number of organizational duties.
- Attend all fellow meetings and training sessions.
- Assist Museum staff in the Evening of Discovery summer gala on June 29, 2024.
Fellowships will commence on May 28, 2024. All fellows are asked to work as late into August as possible for their schedule.
As a Sheldon Hackney Fellow, you’ll experience our incredible collection, dive into intriguing research projects, assist with eye-catching exhibits, and engage the community through various programs and events. It’s an opportunity to explore and grow in fields like library science, historic preservation, and museum studies. We’re on the lookout for enthusiastic, self-starters who are ready to think creatively, work independently, and enjoy being part of a vibrant team.
Fellowship schedules are tailored to fit both your needs and the needs of our different departments. Fellowships run from late-May to as late in August as a fellow is available, typically about 11 weeks. Each fellow receives a stipend based on the whether they are hired for a full-time or part-time position. Past fellows have moved on to exciting careers in various cultural, non-profit, and academic sectors.
Archives Fellow
This position is intended for an individual enrolled in a library and information science (or related) graduate program, with a concentration (or strong interest) in archives. The fellow will work under the supervision of MVM’s Research Librarian, whose works encompasses archiving, editing, research management, and the functions of a reference librarian.
The fellow will gain a deeper understanding of how archives function in the institutional context of a community museum where remote requests for information from individuals, organizations, and local governments, and casual inquiries from visitors, significantly outnumber scheduled visits from professional researchers. They will gain hands-on experience in the ongoing work of making archives accessible to the broadest possible audience.
The fellow will take the lead in arranging and cataloging one or more of the archival collections acquired – but not yet processed – by MVM since its 2019 move to Vineyard Haven, managing their transformation from “wholly unprocessed” to “ready for public use.” The collection(s) on which the Fellow works can be guided by their interests as well as institutional needs.
The archives fellowship is part-time, requiring 20 hours per week. This fellowship will be awarded a $3,000 stipend.
Education Fellow
Education fellows will be focused on contributing to Education Department projects and delivering the Discovery Days summer program for children ages 5-12. Work will include:
- Becoming familiar with Museum exhibits and educational curriculum in order to represent and add to visitor experiences in a multitude of ways
- Researching and designing new or updating existing curriculum for youth summer program participants
- Collaborating with Education team in the promotion, organization and delivery of summer programming
- Contributing to a range of Museum programs & events as an ambassador of the Education department
Required Skills/Qualifications:
- Enjoy working with children (a variety of ages and abilities) in small groups.
- Some experience working in an educational/instructional setting
- Flexibility and ability to adapt plans to suit the needs of individual learners
- Comfortable and familiar with youth-oriented art, craft, performing arts and outdoor activities.
- Study in education, museum studies, or public history preferred.
- At least 16 years of age
Flexible hours with the ability to work occasional evenings and weekends required. There are two education fellow positions available, one part-time (20 hours per week) and one full-time (40 hours per week). The part-time fellow will be awarded a $3,000 stipend, the full-time fellow will be awarded a $6,000 stipend.
Marketing and Events Fellow
The marketing and events fellowship is perfect for someone passionate about marketing and event management. In this position, the fellow will be responsible for assisting with the planning and execution all of the summer’s events and will play a key role in creating marketing and promotional materials. MVM’s summer calendar includes our annual gala, fundraising events, exhibit openings, lectures, author talks, and more. Strong organizational skills are crucial as this fellow will be asked to manage multiple projects simultaneously. As a representative of the Museum at many programs and events, comfort in social situations and the ability to communicate well verbally are essential. Good writing skills are necessary and familiarity with Adobe Suite, Canva, or other graphic design platforms is a plus.
Flexible hours with the ability to work some evenings and weekends required. The marketing and events fellowship is a part-time fellowship requiring 20 hours per week. They will be awarded a $3,000 stipend.
HOUSING
Preference may be given to applicants who have secured housing. Please note, summer rentals are extremely limited on Martha’s Vineyard. We recommend making a plan for housing before applying due to the scarcity of the summer rental market.
If you have any questions, please email Savannah Berryman-Moore at fellows@mvmuseum.org