Cisneros Institute Research Fellow for Latin American Art

The Patricia Phelps de Cisneros Research Institute for the Study of Art from Latin America is currently accepting applications for a Research Fellow.

Reporting to the Director of the Cisneros Institute, the Fellow plays a vital role in the development of a range of programs and initiatives. The fellowship is a two-year appointment with a start date of September 2026.

Cisneros Institute:

Through its programs and publications, the Cisneros Institute aims to stimulate, support, and disseminate new research on modern and contemporary art of Latin America and its role as an integral part of global culture. It also seeks to promote the multiple perspectives of artists and scholars from Latin America by engaging in an international dialogue. 

The Institute was established by The Museum of Modern Art in 2016. As part of MoMA, the Institute is committed to strengthening the Museum’s longstanding commitment with Latin America through rigorous and experimental research into MoMA’s Latin American holdings and meaningful collaborations with artists, art historians, critics, curators, and other cultural institutions.

Position Summary:

The Fellow supports research initiatives on Latin American art, with a focus on topics relevant to contemporary Latin American and Caribbean art, discourses and debates, as framed by the Cisneros Institute. The Fellow will coordinate all aspects of the upcoming publication on modern art and spiritualities, including securing image rights, liaising with authors and co-editors of the publication, compiling bios, proofreading of book on typeset face, among other tasks. Support the Director in the conception and development of a book launch for the project. 

Additionally the Fellow will work closely with the Institute’s Director developing the new research topic for the Institute, through conducting preliminary research, as well as through active reading, annotation and reporting. The fellow will also work in identifying potential collaborators including scholars, curators, institutions and artists.

The Museum of Modern Art is committed to nurturing the next generation of curators, art historians, conservators and other arts professionals. This Conservation fellowship is part of a distinctive Museum-wide fellowship program that offers opportunities for training and development through immersion in the Museum’s departments, working alongside and mentored by experienced staff members. All fellows also participate in a core methods and practice program with MoMA staff and invited guests which explores object-based research and inquiry; public engagement in a museum context; and arts leadership and the role of cultural institutions.

Responsibilities:

• Compiles bibliographies and synthesizes theoretical and critical texts that inform research focus.
• Identifies artists, curators, and scholars relevant to research focus.
• Prepares meetings in person and online in New York and in Latin America in accordance with the research focus; compiles relevant biographies, research materials, and meeting agendas; corresponds with invited guests; coordinates viewing of works; and maintains records of contacts and activities.
• Conducts research and creates and organizes detailed itineraries for group travel, involving, coordinating, visits, dinners, and meetings, for MoMA staff who participate in the symposium in New York or Latin America.
• Researches and keeps the Latin American research group, composed of MoMA staff who are interested in participating in seminars and activities organized around the research theme. Informs the group about relevant exhibitions and events related to the research focus.
• Writes artists bios for moma.org and features for MoMA’s Magazine.
• Participates in activities organized by  the Museum for the cohort of Fellows. 
• Assists in the organization of and participates in joint symposia organized with other research groups of the museum (C-MAP).
• Performs any other duties reasonably related to the functions described above.

Requirements:

• Specialized knowledge of modern and contemporary art in Latin America
• Phil candidates or PhD students in art history, cultural studies, and/or a related field in the humanities (or the equivalent in countries outside the United States) required or the equivalent level of experience.
• If pursuing a Ph.D. program, candidate should be a fully-enrolled student and ABD. Independent curators or researchers with strong expertise in the area of focus will also be considered.
• Experience working within an art ins