Category: Museum Anthropology Blog

15 August 2025

Arlington, VA–Today, the American Alliance of Museums, the only organization representing the entire scope of the museum field, issued a statement in response to the growing threats of censorship against U.S. museums:

Our country’s 22,000 museums are cornerstones of their communities and are among the most trusted institutions in American life. They tell our nation’s stories from multiple perspectives, welcome people of all ages and backgrounds, contribute billions to the U.S. economy each year, serve communities both rural and urban, and protect the heritage we all share.

In recent months, museums have faced increasing external pressures to modify, remove, or limit exhibitions and programs. People trust museums because they rely on independent scholarship and research, uphold high professional standards, and embrace open inquiry. When any directive dictates what should or should not be displayed, it risks narrowing the public’s window into evidence, ideas, and a full range of perspectives.

This is not just a concern for select institutions. These pressures can create a chilling effect across the entire museum sector. Freedom of thought and expression are foundational American values, and museums uphold them by creating spaces where people can engage with history, science, art, and culture in ways that are honest, fact-based, and thought-provoking.

We stand with the hundreds of thousands of museum professionals in the U.S. who protect our heritage, conserve species, create unforgettable experiences, and serve their communities with integrity. We call on all who value our shared heritage to support the museum field in resisting censorship, so museums can continue to educate, connect, and inspire.

America needs museums and the professionals who steward them. They educate, connect, and help us understand one another—something we can’t afford to lose.

More here. 

Description

Director of Collections & Education 

Salary: $85,000-$90,000

Coastal Georgia Historical Society [CGHS] seeks a Director of Collections & Education [DCE] who will manage all aspects of the Society’s collections, including care, conservation, organization, records, storage, exhibition, and security. They will play a lead role on a highly collaborative and enthusiastic team dedicated to our mission-related activities, including archival, curatorial, preservation, education, and public programs. The DCE’s primary responsibility is the management, interpretation, and expansion of CGHS’s nearly 100,000-object Research Collection, which includes archival, archaeological, and architectural items from Coastal Georgia, the American South, and the United States, as well as the Society’s Research Library and Education Collections. CGHS is looking for a team member who will convey a passion for our mission and promote the Society and its museums throughout the community and beyond.

The DCE will make a tangible impact on how Coastal Georgia history is preserved and shared. They will join our talented staff and dedicated volunteers at a beloved local institution that is poised for tremendous growth. The DCE will play a pivotal role in our ambitious strategic plan, centered on deepening our role as a community museum while expanding our influence to become the region’s center for historical research and education.

About the Role

You will report to the Executive Director and be responsible for:

• Collections Management & Development: Managing the CGHS collections, including care, conservation, inventory, registration, accessioning, deaccessioning, and loaning processes; and leading the development and execution of a Collections Development Plan. (Note: CGHS’s Archaeologist will manage the Archaeology Collections with input from the DCE.)
• Dynamic Exhibits: Leading the development of new exhibits, both temporary and permanent, as well as managing the display of objects and text panels in our various museum spaces to new stories and ensure the museums feel fresh.
• Research & Interpretation: Conducting original research on our collections and collaborating to share compelling stories with visitors through various interpretative materials.
• Historic Preservation: Supervising preservation of our historic buildings in conjunction with our Historic Preservation Consultant.
• Education: Supervising the development of CGHS’s expanded education program, including a teacher’s workshop, digital resources, and in-school programming.
• Public Programs: Overseeing CGHS’s public programs, including annual events like our Member Meetings and end-of-summer Chautauqua Lecture Series, as well as special events like our upcoming Semiquincentennial programming.
• Grant Writing: Assisting with writing and administering grants for collections, conservation, exhibits, and related projects.
• Public Engagement: Fielding public inquiries, establishing connections with community organizations, and building relationships with donors, as well as writing for public audiences, both online and in person.
• Team Leadership: Directly managing our Historian, Archaeologist, and Educations & Programs Coordinator, supervising and providing support for their work as well as that of volunteers.
• Strategic Collaboration: Working with Board committees, participating in fundraising, and developing partnerships to advance collection efforts.

Required Skills, Knowledge, Abilities, and Experience: 

• Education & Employment: Master’s degree in History, Museum Studies, Public History, or a related field, with at least five years of experience in curation and/or collections in a museum, historical society, or similar organization. A combination of further education or experience can be substituted.
• Collections Expertise: Proficiency in collections management best practices and extensive experience with collections management systems, preferably PastPerfect.
• Curatorial Expertise: Experience researching, developing, and managing engaging and informative history exhibits.
• Historical Knowledge: Knowledge of and passion for American history, with an interest in the history of the American South and Coastal Georgia preferred.
• Historic Preservation: A broad understanding of and desire to learn about historic preservation.
• Funding Acquisition: Experience assisting with writing and administering grants.
• Communication Skills: Exceptional oral and written communication, with comfort in public speaking and the ability to present historical information in a clear and inspiring manner.
• Problem-Solving: A decisive nature, able to anticipate situations, define problems, and formulate rapid solutions.
• Technical Aptitude: Strong proficiency in PastPerfect, Microsoft Office, and digital database functions.
• Leadership & Management: At least three years of supervisory experience, with effective team leadership and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Flexibility and Collaboration: High level of flexibility and collaboration to effectively work in a small-team environment.

More here. 

Malamy Research Fellowship

Phillips Library, Peabody Essex Museum, Rowley, MA/USA

https://www.pem.org/phillips-library/phillips-library-fellowships

The Phillips Library is pleased to announce the opening of the application period for the 2026 Frances E. Malamy Research Fellowship of the Peabody Essex Museum.  All application materials, including references, must be received by 11:59pm on October 26, 2025. All materials must be submitted via PEM’s application portal, with the exception of the letter of recommendation, which should be emailed to research@pem.org. Please ensure your application includes specific references to Phillips Library collection material, as found through our online catalog.

The recipient will receive a $5,500 award, payable in two equal installments, at the middle and conclusion of their residency. This fellowship does not include housing.

Contact Information

Jennifer Hornsby (she/her/hers)
Reference & Access Services Librarian
Phillips Library, Peabody Essex Museum
306 Newburyport Turnpike, Rowley, MA 01969, USA

Description

Performs difficult skilled, technical, and administrative work to facilitate the strategic curation and utilization of the Schiele Museum’s collections and research programs in service to the organizational mission to inspire learning and engagement in science and natural history, including the local and scientific communities. Manages research programs, administers the museum collections, supervises personnel, manages departmental resources, and conducts specialized scientific research; does related work as required. Work is performed under the supervision of the Museum Director and Assistant Director.

Requirements

Professional research expertise and experience in a field of natural science. Thorough knowledge of scientific research methods, theory, and standards for conduct and ethics.  Knowledge of collections management practices.  Skill in the formulation of research design to respond to strategic organizational needs. Ability to communicate ideas effectively, verbally and in writing. Ability to coordinate and manage the work of employees, volunteers, and interns. Ability to collaborate with staff to develop program and exhibit content. Capacity to manage departmental facilities, resources, and logistics.

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a PHD in a natural science field such as geology, zoology, anthropology, biology, botany, paleontology or another area related to the Museum’s current collections, exhibits, and/or programs. Considerable experience in conducting scientific research, collections management, and/or managing scientific research programs. Experience in a museum setting, departmental leadership, personnel supervision, coordinating volunteers, and the pursuit of grant funding is preferred.  Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered.

More here. 

The Robert D. Hevey, Jr. and Constance M. Filling Fellowship in Anthropology

National Museum of Natural History (NMNH)

Deadline

August 1, 2025

This short-term fellowship provides support to a graduate student focused on anthropological studies related to contemporary indigenous communities, linguistics and endangered languages, or cultural diversity while in-residence in the Department of Anthropology at the National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) in Washington, DC. Awardees are expected to be resident at NMNH full-time and actively engaged in the NMNH community during the entire fellowship tenure. Priority will be given to applicants who have not previously had an opportunity to visit and conduct research at NMNH. To receive consideration, candidates must include in their application a research proposal in an area of study related to NMNH facilities and collections and select as the primary advisor an NMNH research scientist in the Department of Anthropology from the Research Staff listing provided in SORS. Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact a potential advisor prior to submitting their materials. Review factors for applications include:

• Research of the highest intellectual and ethical standards.
• Research topics with a clear connection and purpose for NMNH on-site investigation using our collections and facilities.

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Proposals for the Filling Ten-week Graduate Student Fellowship in Anthropology must be submitted in SOLAA.

Applicant proposals will be reviewed by SI staff with expertise in the proposed area of study and then reviewed, discussed and ranked by an Anthropology committee who will assess the relative merit of proposals, candidate’s eligibility, and appropriateness for placement as part of the NMNH community.

How to Apply

• Create account or log in to SOLAA
• Click Start Application Button at top of Screen
• Search for the Program: Robert Hevey Graduate Student Fellowships in Anthropology
• Click “Apply Now”

Eligibility

Applicants must be a currently enrolled graduate student who can write and converse fluently in English. Fellowships are available to U.S. and non-U.S. citizens. Applicants may not be a Smithsonian employee or contractor during the period of their fellowship appointment and may not hold another type of Smithsonian academic appointment during their appointment as a fellow.

Term

10 weeks.

Stipend

$10,000 stipend + $5000 research allowance. Relocation allowance may be awarded as appropriate for the location of the applicant.

Additional info from curator at NMNH: The NMNH collections include diverse media types – audiovisual materials, drawings, fieldnotes and a wide range of textual materials (NAA/HSFA collections) and objects (NMNH anthropology object collections). In the application, please be collections-focused and specific about methodology.  Interdisciplinary work is encouraged.

Advocacy Alert

The US DOI has requested Public Comment on potential regulatory changes related to their programs and regulations. Of relevance to museum anthropologists, targets include the National NAGPRA Program (under the National Park Service) and Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). Please consider commenting to share your views on potential changes to this transformative program and legislation. Written comments are due by July 21, 2025 at 11:59PM.

https://www.regulations.gov/document/DOI-2025-0005-0001

To find what comments have been made already regarding NAGPRA, open the “Document Comments” tab header and search for “NAGPRA.”

YNM invites you to apply to the 2025 CARE Workshop and Community Fellowship!

CARE will be hosted at School for Advanced Research in Santa Fe, New Mexico from September 22 – 24.

Please review the information below for program details and eligibility.

Deadline to Apply will be 11:59 pm Wednesday July 23, 2025.

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The workshop consists of 6 days: 3 days in-person and 3 days online.

The in-person sessions will take place on September 22 – 24 and will be hosted at the School for Advanced Research in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The online sessions will be scheduled in collaboration with the fellows.

Fellow Mentors

2022 was the first year for CARE and fellows from that first cohort returned to mentor the 2023 cohort. This year, fellows from 2024 cohort will return to mentor the 2025 cohort and mentors from 2024 will return to lead sessions.

Our hope is to continue this tradition of building CARE from within the CARE community. Interested fellows from 2025 will have an opportunity to return in 2026 to lead and mentor the 2026 cohort.

Returning Fellow Mentors play a meaningful role in growing the CARE community and are provided with funding.

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Eligibility

The program is suited to participants such as:

Tribal Historic Preservation Officers

Tribal cultural department staff

Students and community members focusing on cultural heritage care

NAGPRA practitioners

Members of non-federally recognized tribes are encouraged to apply.

More here. 

Requirements

Employment Status: Full-Time | Exempt

Location: On-Site | in person

Department: Curatorial

Reporting Responsibility: Curator of Native American Art

Major Duties

•        Provide administrative support for community engagement and collaborative projects, including formatting correspondence, scheduling meetings, tracking expenses, and making travel arrangements
•         Process and maintain paper and electronic records related to the permanent collection and temporary exhibitions
•         Process and maintain paper and electronic records related to the Native American art collection and the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA)
•         Organize files for the Curatorial and Collections Departments
•         Create and manage checklist information for temporary exhibitions and gallery rotations
•         Conduct research on acquisitions, permanent collection objects, and other topics as needed; present that research through reports, presentations, and papers as appropriate
•         Assist in the writing and production of gallery labels
•         Respond to internal and external research requests and public inquiries about the Museum’s Native American art collection and individual works of art
•         Assist with member and public programs related to the Native American art collection or temporary exhibitions, including giving presentations and tours
•         Assist in the development and coordination of information for marketing and communications, including print, social media, and web-based materials
•         When interfacing with the public, ensure all visitors to the Museum have a positive experience
•         Remain knowledgeable about Museum activities, services, and layout and be willing to assist any visitor
•         Adhere to policies and procedures as outlined in the Employee Handbook
•         Other duties related to your department as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

•        Associate degree or Bachelor’s degree in Native American studies, art history, or related field
•         Previous experience in an art museum or other arts or cultural institution, or demonstrated equivalent experience
•         Previous experience working with Indigenous communities
•         Exemplary oral and written communication skills
•         Strong attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines
•         Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint) and general office procedures and tools
•         Discretion in handling confidential information
•         Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues across Museum departments

Preferred Qualifications

•         Experience learning one or more Indigenous languages and/or knowledge of Indigenous language revitalization initiatives
•         Familiarity with NAGPRA legislation and guidelines
•         Familiarity with standard museum collection management system, The Museum System (TMS)
•         Experience with art handling practices

Physical Qualifications

Mobility:

•         Ability to navigate museum galleries, storage areas, and off-site locations to assess, install, and care for artwork, as well as to attend meetings and events in various museum areas

Stationary Tasks:

•         Ability to remain seated for prolonged periods when conducting research, writing, or attending meetings
•         Comfort with prolonged standing as needed for overseeing installations or leading gallery tours

Body Movements:

•         Occasional bending, reaching, and kneeling to handle or inspect artworks and collections
•         Dexterity to handle fragile and delicate objects with care

Physical Stamina:

•         Capacity to work long hours during exhibition installations or special events, including evenings and weekends

Visual & Communication:

•         Strong visual acuity required for assessing artwork condition, color, and detail

More here.