McMullan Museum Scholar

The Art Institute of Chicago shares its singular collections with our city and the world. We collect, care for, and interpret works of art across time, cultures, geographies, and identities, centering the vision of artists and makers. We recognize that all art is made in a particular context, demanding continual, dynamic reconsideration in the present. We are a place of gathering; we foster the exchange of ideas and inspire an expansive, inclusive understanding of human creativity.

Museum Scholars Program Overview

The Museum Scholars program is part of a museum-wide effort to provide students the opportunity to gain experience, career awareness, networks, and skills that will position them to thrive as future art museum leaders. The museum's emerging professional programs, among them internships, fellowships, and the scholars programs, are stewarded by the Department of Academic Engagement and Research (AER) in the Research Center. Our aim is to nurture dynamic, interdisciplinary thinkers that will be empowered changemakers equipped with the tools and networks to do great work in the world.

 The Museum Scholars position is awarded to two undergraduate students who’ve completed the McMullan Family Foundation Summer Intensive program.

•  Museum Scholars gain awareness and further their development in the following areas:
• ●      Broader understanding of individual and collaborative work within the museum
• ●      Practice in museum professional skill sets (software, collections work, project development)
• ●      Improvement in written and oral communication skills in a professional and interpersonal context
• ●      Opportunities for self-directed work
• ●      Confidence in their abilities to advocate for themselves and issues important to them
• ●      Enhanced connections between their museum experiences and personal interests
• ●      Refinement of their personal and professional paths and goal-setting for their next steps

Museum Scholars commit to a program lasting twenty-three months, beginning October 1, 2025 and concluding August 20, 2027. They are expected to fulfill all aspects of the program, including:

● Regular activities with their mentor that require on-site presence at the Art Institute of Chicago 9-16 hours per month during the academic year.

● Full-time (30 hours per week) participation over the course of two 11-week terms in summer 2026 and summer 2027 respectively.

● Meeting with AER staff, Rachel Echiverri Rowland and/or Leslie Wilson on a regular basis (bimonthly in the academic year, and weekly in the summer).

Mentors assist Museum Scholars in the following:

●      Introduction to: departments across the museum, collections, gallery rotations, cross-departmental meetings, studio visits, host department programs, etc.

●      Training on: collection management systems, object handling, research, writing, public engagement, oral communication (public, philanthropic, and interdepartmental), receiving and relaying professional feedback, etc.

●      Off-site visits to: opportunities for the student to connect with art professionals, including museums and/or collections, artist spaces, auctions houses, etc.

●      Discussions on: curatorial and museum studies, social justice issues at the museum, academic/career advising, wellness, etc.

●      Travel funds usage for: research associated with their fellowship or academic studies, school visits, networking, attending conferences, etc. Travel funds may also be used to align with a mentor’s business travel plans.

•  Two separate host department placements will occur twice over the course of two years: 
• ●      2025–26 Academic Year (October–May) and subsequent Summer (June–August)
• ●      2026-27 Academic Year (October–May) and subsequent Summer (June–August)
• Placements will be coordinated by AER in conversation with the Museum Scholars and potential mentors.

First Academic Year

• Duration: October-May
•  Contact Hours*: Approximately 81-120 hours; average of 16–20 hours/month
• The Museum Scholar is asked to commit to the following:
• ●      Weekly meetings with museum mentor
• ●      Work on meaningful projects as assigned by host department
• ●      Off-site visits with museum mentor and host department
• ●      Bimonthly check-in meetings with AER staff

●      Monthly museum scholars  cohort programs and activities (including orientation, field trips, museum practice seminars, etc.)

●      An academic year capstone project (see below) 

*Contact hours may occur in a hybrid combination of virtual and in-person formats

Mentors will be in charge of assigning and organizing their Museum Scholar’s projects. These projects must be meaningful to the Museum Scholar by stimulating growth in new skill sets while also being connected to their interests and academic objectives. These projects must also contribute to the department’s/mentor’s overall productivity and mission.

 This may include: written visual analysis/object description; collections review;  provenance research; writing an artist biography; writing object chat labels; creating a bibliography; public speaking; public program ideation and facilitation; survey and evaluation; and documentation of museum questions and reflections. This may also include goal-oriented, Museum Scholar-developed projects tied to their academic studies.

 Museum Scholars will lead one gallery talk together at the end of their first academic year. Museum Scholars develop the theme for their talk and select museum spaces, objects, and their audience. To support the Museum Scholars, AER will coordinate training sessions for public speaking while mentors will offer guidance.

First Summer

• Duration: June–August
•  Contact Hours*: Approximately 330 hours; average of 30 hours per week for 11 weeks
• The Museum Scholar is asked to commit to the following:
• ●      Weekly meetings with museum mentor
• ●      Work on meaningful projects as assigned by host department
• ●      Off-site visits with museum mentor and host department
• ●      Weekly check-in meetings with the fellowship program managers

●      Biweekly Museum Scholar cohort programs and activities (including orientation, field trips, museum practice seminars, etc.)

●      A summer term capstone project (see below) 

●      Cohort research travel trip  (see below)

*Contact hours may occur in a hybrid combination of virtual and in-person formats

 Similar to the academic year, mentors will be in charge of assigning and organizing their Museum Scholar’s projects. Ideally, Museum Scholars should receive one substantial department project that they can work on throughout the summer.

 Museum Scholars will be asked to create a project that speaks to their areas of interest, individually or in collaboration. This might look like a blog post, gallery activation program, organizing a roundtable/presentation, or another publication or programming opportunity.

 In late July, 1st-year Museum Scholars, their mentors, and AER will travel to another city for a week to learn about arts institutions outside of Chicago. In addition to meetings and tours, Museum Scholars and their mentors will have ample opportunities to conduct their own meetings and research. Museum Scholars are required to attend this research trip.

About The Organization

The Art Institute of Chicago is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We fully comply with applicable federal and state disability laws and provide reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. We recruit, hire, and promote qualified individuals solely on the basis of their skills, qualifications, and experience. If you require reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please contact Human Resources at apply_help@artic.edu. 

Equal Opportunity Employer

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