Interpretive Planning & Evaluation Fellowship 2025-2026

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is seeking eligible candidates for an Interpretive Planning & Evaluation Fellowship for 2025-2026. The Fellowship aims to cultivate early-career professionals interested in interpretive careers in art museums, focusing on interdepartmental collaborations and developing institutional understandings of visitor learning and engagement.

Under the guidance of their supervisor, the Fellow will be a key contributor to the ongoing development of interpretive planning and evaluative practice within the Education Department and extending to the Museum as a whole. Principally, they will develop front-end visitor research strategies for forthcoming permanent collection reinstallations and capital projects, which are a priority area. The Fellow will also be encouraged to pursue independent, interdisciplinary research on best practices for interpretive practice and evaluation and their applications within The Museum. Housed in the Education Department, the Fellow will report to the Education Project Manager, Interpretive Planning and Evaluation.

Eligibility and Qualifications:

· Candidates must hold an M.A., M.Phil, or Ph.D. in Art History, Art Education, Museum Studies, Sociology, Psychology, or a related field in the Humanities or Social Sciences

· Prior experience working in museums and a demonstrated interest in art museum interpretation, visitor engagement, and audience research;

· Understanding of museum learning and pedagogy;

· Demonstrated knowledge of qualitative methodologies, as well as experience developing and conducting studies in a professional or academic setting;

· Experience developing interpretive resources to invite multiple pathways to experience art is desired, but not required;

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills;

· Strong interpersonal and diplomatic skills and enthusiasm for fomenting meaningful collaborations across departments and teams;

· A capacity and desire to think and innovate in interdisciplinary modes; and

· Enthusiasm for museum work, a desire to learn, and a desire to fully integrate themselves into The Met’s culture.

Time Commitment and Stipend

The 12-month Interpretive Planning & Evaluation Fellowship starts on September 2, 2025 and ends on August 28, 2026.. The Fellow is expected to be in residence 5 days per week, from Monday-Friday. Occasional work on Saturdays is expected depending on study variability.

The stipend for the 12-month period is $47,000.00 for predoctoral applicants and $57,000.00 for postdoctoral applicants. The Fellow will also receive a $6,000 stipend for research-related travel. A stipend to assist in the cost of purchasing health insurance will also be available.

Please fill out the required application using this link.

06/22/2025