The Museum of the City of New York is searching for three Predoctoral History Education Fellows, funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. The Fellows will enhance and expand educational activities now underway at the City Museum’s Frederick A.O. Schwarz Children’s Center while receiving training in the field of public history and museum education. The Schwarz Center targets public schools and welcomed almost 47,000 students and teachers last year.
The City Museum seeks applications from historians-in-training in the fields of American history (and closely related fields like American Studies) who wish to gain valuable hands-on experience. Three Fellows will be selected to be in residence at the Museum of the City of New York for fourteen months beginning in July 2016, during which time they will be fully integrated into the life of the Museum.
Following a training program directed by Museum staff, Fellows will work primarily with the Museum’s flagship field-trip programs. Among their responsibilities:

• Researching topics linked to Museum exhibitions and preparing background material for presentation in our student-focused programs
• Leading gallery-based student (elementary through high school) workshops and classes on topics pertaining to New York City history that will augment and support approved curricula
•  Assisting with after-school enrichment programs such as New York City History Day and Surpass!, a prep course for the US History Regents examination.

Fellows will also assist public school educators, from elementary to high school, in strengthening and freshening their lessons in American and New York City history through lectures, workshops, and conference presentations.
Fellows will receive two months of focused training in museum pedagogy and will also observe programs delivered by City Museum educators. Compensation is $25,000 for a commitment of two days a week at the Museum, for 14 months, July 2016 – August 2017.
Eligibility
The Fellowship is open to all advanced (ABD) PhD candidates in American History (and closely related fields like American Studies) who have completed their course work and have an approved proposal for their dissertation.

Applicants must:

• Have had proposals for their dissertation accepted in a humanities or social science field
• Have demonstrated research interests in one or more of the following areas and be interested in pursuing them in relation to an education initiative for elementary, middle, high school students and teachers and/or the general museum public:
  • History of Native American or colonial history
  • History of immigration and ethnicity
  • History of social activism
  • History of urbanization
  • Any aspect of New York City history
• Have an established interest in material and/or visual culture and a commitment to interdisciplinary approaches
• Have a good rapport working with, and presenting information to, a diverse pool of ages and backgrounds
• Have an interest in working with groups and the ability to explain complex historical information to diverse populations
• Be flexible and be committed to working collaboratively

Application Requirements

• Applications must be submitted online to mmontalvo@mcny.org and must include:
  Two page cover letter stating interest in exploring work in museum education
• Statement of current research interests related to the mission or collections of the Museum of the City of New York (no more than 2,500 words)
• Two confidential letters of referral. If you have experience teaching, one letter should come from someone familiar with your teaching practice.

The deadline for receipt of all material is March 1, 2016.
The Museum of the City of New York celebrates and interprets the city, educating the public about its distinctive character, especially its heritage of diversity, opportunity, and perpetual transformation. The Museum serves the people of New York and visitors from around the world through exhibitions, school and public programs, publications, and collections.
The Museum of the City of New York is an Equal Opportunity Employer.