Mary Spurrier Fellowship in Native American Art
Call For Applicants:
The Rockwell Museum, a Smithsonian Affiliate, located in Corning, NY, seeks a graduate student researcher in American art with a concentration in Native American art and/or Museum Studies. The Fellow will research a section of The Rockwell Museum’s Native American collection to compile relevant cataloguing information such as identifying tribal affiliations, styles, and patterns. This first-time Fellowship is part of the Museum’s Curatorial Department and reports to the Curator of Collections and Exhibitions.
With its focus on Native American art and material culture, this research Fellowship will support a cataloguing and digitization project at The Rockwell Museum. The Museum presents compelling exhibitions and dynamic programs that provoke curiosity, engagement, and reflection about art and the American experience. The Fellow will research and contribute vital information on the care and curation of the Native American collection at The Rockwell.
The Native American collection is comprised of pre-1950 objects which include 472 works. This foundational component of the Museum’s collection was gifted by local citizens Robert and Hertha Rockwell in 1976. The Rockwells avidly collected Native American pottery, textiles, baskets, beadwork, and Kachinas. A majority are from Northern Plains, Pueblo, and Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) tribal nations. By making the Museum’s Native American collections available online, improving our metadata through accurate and culturally specific research, and continuing to image the collection, the Fellowship will support the Museum’s strategic goal to transform the visitor experience through collection and exhibition development. The project will support emerging scholars and museum professionals by providing an opportunity to work directly with The Rockwell Museum’s curators and registrar and gain real-world experience in a busy community-focused institution.
The historic objects to be researched are an essential part of The Rockwell’s permanent collection, which also includes significant holdings of contemporary Native American art. With improved scholarship and access, the Museum will be able to use the full scope of the collection in a planned redesign of its Native American galleries. This also opens new avenues of collaboration, continuing and expanding the Museum’s partnerships with Native American culture keepers and collecting institutions.
Key Duties:
- Conducts original research on Native American Art in the Museum’s collection
- Collaborates with Associate Curator and Registrar to update and expand existing records
- Identifies objects for further study under NAGPRA regulations
- Create a blog post for the Museum about their fellowship experience
- Works with collections staff to create new storage containers for objects as needed
- Contributes research to an upcoming reinstallation of Native American Galleries
General Duties:
- Supports and amplifies the Museum’s commitment to justice, equity, diversity, accessibility, and inclusion
- Works collaboratively with the Curatorial department
- Maintains care of collections in accordance with the Museum’s Collection Management Policy
Education and Experience:
- Must be currently enrolled in a graduate program at an accredited university.
- Must have scholarly focus on Native American art history, Native American history, or museum studies.
Skills and Abilities:
- Demonstrated research skills
- Excellent verbal and written communication
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Desire to research and uplift Native American voices
- Respect and exemplify the values of The Rockwell Museum in all interactions with colleagues, staff, volunteers, and the public.
- Ability to represent the Museum in a professional manner.
- Respect and exemplify the values of The Rockwell Museum in all interactions with colleagues, staff, volunteers, and the public.
The Fellowship will start the week of September 8, 2025, and last for approximately 12 weeks and a stipend of $6,000, as well as a travel reimbursement to support transportation from their home to Corning, NY.
To apply, please submit the following to resumes@RockwellMuseum.org by June 2, 2025:
- C.V.
- Letter of recommendation from an academic advisor
- A short writing sample
- Official transcripts
As part of our commitment to diversity and inclusion, please do not include a photograph on your resume or application. Due to the volume of applicants, you will only be contacted if we move forward with your application.
No current openings
Guest Services Associate/Program Assistant
If you are…
- A fan of art
- A strong communicator
- Detail oriented
- Outgoing
- Experienced in customer service
- Confident handling money
We offer…
- Hourly Rate $15.80
- World-class museum environment
- Free access to museum events and programs
- Discount in the museum store
Who we’re looking for…
The Rockwell Museum and KIDS ROCKWELL Art Lab serve not just our local community but travelers from all over the world whose experience begins and ends with Guest Services.
We are looking for someone who can work through Labor Day and who will strive to create a positive and engaging experience for our guests from beginning to end. This includes checking visitors in to the museum and KIDS ROCKWELL Art Lab, offering them information about our collections and programs and answering questions about the museum and surrounding community; along with assisting shoppers in the museum store and setting up for events.
Our ideal candidate is personable, confidante, considerate, patient, outgoing, communicative, dependable, adaptive, and honest; has a flexible work schedule; available to work weekdays, weekends, evenings, and holidays; knowledge of computers and technology; and customer service or retail experience is desirable.
Who we are…
Our diverse, unique collection serves as the base of our work, and provides inspiration for our innovative programs. Our mission is to use our collection to stimulate and engage our visitors, both within the Museum and within the greater Corning community. Our small staff is a committed, creative, energetic team that continually embraces diversity of thought and backgrounds. We are enthusiastic about advancing our work and our commitment to the community.
Find the full descriptions of both aspects of this position below.
Guest Services Associate
Status: Contract Position, Part-Time, approximately 8-40 hrs./week. Hours are variable.
Rate: $15.80/hr
Responsibilities:
- Greets visitors to the Museum and gives all guests prompt and courteous service.
- Sells admission to The Rockwell Museum and KIDS ROCKWELL Art Lab, Combination tickets to Corning Museum of Glass, distributes surveys and tracks demographics.
- Answers questions about the art, history and mission of The Rockwell, as well as the local region.
- Receives membership applications and provides information to prospective members according to procedure.
- Records retail sales accurately and efficiently.
- Restocks and merchandises products and performs cycle counts of inventory.
- Maintains a clean and organized appearance in the museum store, admissions desk and storage areas.
- Assists visitors with product selection and recommends products based on customer need.
- Maintains working knowledge of products relating to The Rockwell Museum collection and retail operation.
- Prepares materials and orients visitors to the space in KIDS ROCKWELL Art Lab.
- Maintains health and safety standards at the Museum and KIDS ROCKWELL Art Lab.
Qualifications:
- Outgoing personality; must genuinely enjoy people.
- Ability to accurately handle money and conduct transactions.
- Excellent customer service skills.
- Ability to accept direction willingly and to follow through with delegated tasks.
- Ability to stand for 8 hours and lift boxes if needed.
- Knowledge of the region desired (or ability to learn quickly).
- Ability to work weekends, evenings, and holidays.
- Comfortable working with children.
- Strong knowledge of computers and technology.
- Ability to learn and adapt to new tasks or situations quickly and cooperatively.
- Ability to report for scheduled shifts on-time and be dressed appropriately.
General Information:
- This position is contracted through Kelly Services. Guest Services Associates will not be employed directly through The Rockwell Museum.
- Associates are generally scheduled a minimum of 8 hours per week and up to 40 hours per week.
- Hours of operation are 9am-5pm, with occasional evening work for events. From Memorial Day through Labor Day the Museum is open 9am-7pm.
- Dress code is business casual and must be followed.
- Orientation and training will be provided.
- Associates are responsible for finding coverage and keeping their schedule.
Program Assistant
Status: Contract Position, Part-Time up to 6-15 hrs./week. Hours are variable.
Rate: $15.90/hr
Responsibilities:
- Assists with public programs as needed including exhibition opening receptions, lectures, concerts in the gallery, and live music.
- Assists with facility rentals and third-party events as needed.
- Moves, positions, and stacks program equipment, including chairs, tables, bar, podium, etc.
- Carefully moves equipment in the Museum without disrupting visitors and artwork.
- Arranges and secures audiovisual cables.
- Assists other Museum departments as needed.
Qualifications:
- Ability to accept direction willingly and to follow through with delegated tasks.
- Proven self-starter with strong work ethic, self-motivated, resourceful, conscientious, punctual, and energetic
- Ability to work effectively with internal and external customers and people at all levels and accept direction willingly with delegated tasks.
- Ability to stand for up to three hours and lift to 40 lbs. if needed.
- Ability to work weekends and evenings as needed, flexibility and adaptability in schedule.
- Meticulous attention to detail with strong emphasis on thoroughness and accuracy
- Comfortable with and able to meet deadlines.
- Ability to maintain professionalism around internal and external customers.
- Audiovisual/Tech experience preferred but not required.
General Information:
- This position is contracted through Kelly Services. Program Assistants will not be employed directly through The Rockwell Museum.
- Hours are variable. Evening and/or some weekend hours are required; flexibility in hours is necessary.
- Orientation and training will be provided.
Please send your resume and cover letter to reedr@rockwellmuseum.org.
Interested in volunteering?
Our volunteers are more than just appreciated members of the Rockwell community — they are the very foundation of our success.
Benefits to volunteers are numerous, including endless opportunities to engage in The Rockwell’s many educational programs and lectures, annual field trips and recognition events, as well a generous discount in the Museum Store. In return, volunteers work as ambassadors for the museum, helping the community fall in love with The Rockwell and the art in its galleries.
Rockwell volunteers receive an initial orientation, as well as topic-specific trainings throughout the year. All volunteers are required to pass a background check and be at least 18 years of age.
Docent
If you are passionate about fostering meaningful, interactive arts experiences with children and adults, consider becoming a docent! Our docents are trained to lead Museum tours for youth and adults and can even go on the road for outreach programs at local schools. Minimum 30 hours commitment annually (including training).
Contact Us
Interested in volunteering? Please fill out a volunteer registration form so we can learn more about your interests.
For more information on volunteering at The Rockwell, please contact Ann Recotta at 607.974.5505 or recottaa@rockwellmuseum.org