The Office of Museum Programs at the Smithsonian Institution invites
applications for the fourth annual Fellowships in Museum Practice. The
program design is flexible to accomodate the realities many museum
people face in not being able to be away from their institutions for long
periods of time.  Typically, fellows spend two to six months in residence at
the Smithsonian, often returning to their home institutions during this time.
 
 
Program Guidelines
 
The Fellowships in Museum Practice program enables museum professionals
to undertake original research in museum theory and operations, while in
residence at the Smithsonian Institution (SI). The program addresses the
gap for studies at advanced levels that focus on issues of museology.
Fellowships in Museum Practice give experienced staff the opportunity to
think more broadly about an aspect of their job and then, to write about
their ideas.  The long-term aim is to advance understanding of museums
service to their communities, and to stimulate critical dialogue in the
field.
 
 Fellows receive a stipend of up to $4000 to help support expenses
incurred during the residency.  Projects may begin after October 15, 1995.
Applicants design research projects  in partnership with Smithsonian staff who
agree to be sponsors.  Projects must be mutually beneficial to fellows and
sponsors.
 
 During their period of residency fellows are expected to share
information about their project through an informal presentation to
colleagues.  Fellows will also submit a report describing their research.  It
is due within six months following the conclusion of the residency.
 
 Fellowships last year explored the relationship between scholarship,
artifacts and hands-on activities in exhibits; studied how communities
can appropriate the museum as a tool for community development; developed
a prototype self-guided museum tour; and investigated practical and
ethical issues about the curation and use of historic photographs of
Native Americans.
 
 
Application Process
 
Application to the program is a two-part process.  First, applicants
submit a proposal seeking sponsorship from Smithsonian staff.  The
proposal must include a description of the proposed ideas and activities,
a one-page (1) resume and a letter of support for the project from your
institution.  The description may not exceed three (3) pages.  It should
address
 
 -the central question to be investigated and its relevance to the
   fellowship program aims
 -the method of study and rationale for choosing it,
 -the resources needed,
 -a review of work on the topic previously undertaken and an explanation
   of how this research fits into an overall scheme
 -the proposed duration of project and preferred dates for residency,
 
 and
 -a plan for sharing research results with the field.
 
 The  proposal is intended to give  potential sponsors a context in
which to consider collaboration.  Upon receipt,  appropriate Smithsonian
staff review the proposal for consideration of sponsorship. The review
process also provides applicants with advice and counsel for developing
a more effective submission.  OMP will help applicants identify potential
Smithsonian sponsors.  lease designate three discipline and/or functional
areas that are relevant to your proposal. If  there are staff with whom
you would like to work, list their names.  We encourage applicants to
discuss their proposal ideas with the Fellowships program manager and
colleagues in the field.
 
 Applicants who secure sponsorship then submit a formal application.
The application, not to exceed five (5) additional pages, consists of an
implementation plan, developed in collaboration with the sponsor(s).
 
 
Who Should  Apply
 
 Applications are welcome from mid- or senior level staff who work in
museums or allied cultural and educational institutions.  The program
strongly encourages proposals from small, minority, emerging, and rural
institutions.  All functional areas of work - including but not limited
to administration, collections care and public programming - are eligible.
The Fellowships in Museum Practice program does not fund research into
material culture or connoisseurship nor is intended as a mechanism for
supporting a portion of an institutional project or graduate studies.
Proposals resulting in a publishable document are reviewed favorably.
 
 
Criteria for Selection
 
      -quality of scholarship,
      -clarity of problem to be explored
      -rationale of approach,
      -feasibility,
      -relevance to the aims of the Fellowships program,
      -importance of Smithsonian resources to project activities,
      -evidence of applicant s ability to perform the project,
      -degree to which project promotes closer ties between the
      applicant s institution and the SI,
      -willingness to produce a publication on the research.
 
 
  How to Apply
 
 Proposals are  submitted in the form of a cover letter and structured
proposal. Applicants should send an original and four copies of the
proposal package (description, resume and support letter) on
8 1/2" x 11" white paper.  Do not bind or staple pages.  The office will
not accept proposals via facsimile (FAX) machine.  Receipt of proposals
will be acknowledged by post card.  We cannot consider late arrivals or
proposals that do not conform to the instructions.
 
 
Deadline for Proposals
 
The Proposal must be postmarked by February 17, 1995.
Applicants will be informed of their proposal s status by April 30, 1995.
Fellowships will be announced in July 1995.
 
 
 For further information, contact
 
Nancy J. Fuller, Research Program Manager
Office of Museum Programs
Arts and Industries Building, Room 2235 MRC 427
Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC  20560
Telephone 202-357-3101
Internet: [log in to unmask]
 
The Fellowships in Museum Practice program is supported by the Smithsonian
Women's Committee.
 
Bruce C. Craig              Internet:  [log in to unmask]
Office of Museum Programs   Smithsonian Institution
A&I 2235-MRC427             Washington, DC  20560
(202) 357-3148              FAX:(202) 357-3346