Alfred Appel Jr. Curatorial Fellowship

The Delaware Art Museum is pleased to offer an annual Curatorial Fellowship. This four-week Fellowship is intended for graduate students working towards a museum career. This Fellowship honors Alfred Appel, Jr., a leading scholar of American Studies and a collector of modern prints and photographs.

The focus of the Fellowship changes each year based on institutional need. The Fellowship requires four weeks of full-time work, or the equivalent in part-time hours. The timing of the Fellowship is flexible and can be carried out full-time or part-time, based on applicant and institutional commitments, and must be served between June and September 2026.

The 2026 Appel Curatorial Fellow will support preparation of an exhibition to take place in Spring 2027 on the Samuel and Mary R. Bancroft Collection of Pre-Raphaelite art. Bequeathed to the Museum in 1935, the collection represents the largest holdings of British Pre-Raphaelite art outside of the United Kingdom. The Curatorial Fellow will report to the Annette Woolard-Provine Curator of the Bancroft Collection of Pre-Raphaelite Art and the Librarian and Archivist.

Responsibilities and Duties

The Curatorial Fellow’s responsibilities will include:

  • Maintaining the exhibition checklist.
  • Undertaking research to support the exhibition’s curators.
  • Writing exhibition wall text.

Skills and Qualifications

  • Currently enrolled in a graduate program in art history. Knowledge of the Pre-Raphaelite movement is a plus.
  • Interest in curatorial practice.
  • Superior written, speaking, and interpersonal communication skills.
  • Ability to use academic library databases for research.
  • Excellent research abilities.
  • Strong organizational skills, including effective time management, ability to set and fulfill priorities, and ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
  • Highly motivated and able to work both independently and collaboratively.

Receiving the Fellowship

The Fellow will receive a stipend of $3,500. The Fellowship is intended for those who are currently enrolled in an art history graduate program and are planning a museum career. The fellow is expected to work on site regularly during the period of the Fellowship.

Important Dates

The deadline to apply is April 13, 2026. Notification of the successful applicant will be announced in early May. The Fellowship must be carried out between June 1 – September 1, 2026.

To Apply

Please send the following materials as PDF documents to fellowships@delart.org.

  • Cover letter addressing the applicant’s interest in the position, including a narrative demonstrating their strengths relevant to the position’s responsibilities and duties. Cover letter should address the applicant’s previous experience related to Pre-Raphaelite art, if applicable.
  • Professional and academic curriculum vitae.
  • An art historical writing sample not to exceed 10 pages. 10-page excerpts from longer essays are acceptable.
  • Two letters of recommendation from professors, scholars, or other professionals familiar with the applicant and their work. Letters should speak to the applicant’s research and writing abilities, organizational skills, and written and spoken communication. These letters should be sent directly via email to: fellowships@delart.org.

To learn more about the Delaware Art Museum, please visit delart.org.