The Spalter Teaching Fellowship is open to RISD and Brown graduate and undergraduate students from all disciplinary backgrounds. Spalter Teaching Fellows are trained as RISD Museum educators and are responsible for teaching and working with children and youth ages 5 to 18. They undergo rigorous training with the Museum’s educators, who introduce them to the Museum’s collection and pedagogy. Fellows support learning from original works of art and the development critical thinking, problem solving, and creative interpretation.
For 2024-26, two fellowships are available in School and Teacher programs (for a RISD student and a Brown University student).
Spalter Teaching Fellows receive $5000 per academic year and must commit to a two-year fellowship, serving up to eight hours per week. Stipends are processed at the end of each academic year. Applicants must have an anticipated graduation date of spring 2026 or later. Eligibility for those planning to study abroad will be addressed on a case-by-case basis. Excellent verbal and written communication skills are necessary, and a familiarity with visual art is preferred; foreign-language skills are highly desirable.
Fellows in School + Teacher programs will lead guided visits with K-12 school-aged students, training and teaching with museum educators and volunteer docents. Applicants should demonstrate a strong desire to foster object-based learning through discussion and other forms of exploration in a museum context; excellent organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills; and the ability to work independently as well as collaboratively.
Fellows must be available two mornings a week between 10 am and 12 pm, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday with occasional afternoon options on these days and Thursdays. Commitment is between two and eight hours each week (between Tuesday through Friday) to prepare and lead guided visits. Interested applicants will have experience working with children, will display a commitment to teaching from original works of art, and will show an interest in working with school-based learning and teaching.
The RISD Museum was founded on the belief that art, artists, and the institutions that support them play pivotal roles in promoting broad civic engagement and creating more open societies. We aspire to create an accessible and inclusive environment that builds meaningful relationships across all communities. Cultural competence, collaborations with diverse communities, or other areas of experience or expertise that support these goals are preferred.
Applications are due Monday, February 19, 2024. Applications must include: a cover letter answering questions; a resumé; relevant coursework; a text that demonstrates research and writing abilities; discussion of a RISD Museum object; and names and contact information of three references (phone numbers and email addresses only; no reference letters needed). Interviews will be held from late February to mid March and all applicants will be notified by the beginning of April. Training begins in early September 2024.
Spalter Fellows gain:
• Professional training and mentoring with Museum educators
• Development of teaching skills and practices
• Opportunities to connect studio practice and areas of study to the RISD Museum’s collection
• Opportunities to build relationships with schools, educators, students, and teens in Providence and across Rhode Island.
For questions regarding the Spalter Fellowship, please email museum-academic@risd.edu.