Joan Tisch Teaching Fellow

Program overview

The Joan Tisch Teaching Fellows Program gives graduate students working toward advanced degrees in art and art history a hands-on opportunity to engage with the Whitney Museum’s collection and its visitors, while being supported by an academic community. Fellows create tours and talks centered on the museum’s collection and temporary exhibitions for general audiences.

More advanced fellows may also be invited to develop topical tours, lectures, and courses based on their own research for members-only groups and public programming audiences. In addition, fellows take part in workshops that provide feedback on scholarly work, along with training in teaching, presentation, communication, and other professional development topics.

What this role helps you build

This selective fellowship is designed to strengthen public speaking without notes, the ability to explain complex ideas clearly to broad audiences, and the confidence to develop an authentic speaking voice. Alumni have used these skills in museum and academic careers.

About the fellowship

Selected fellows receive a monthly base payment of $600 to support participation in the program. In addition, the role includes pay per tour: $150 per hour for private and specialized tours and $115 for public tours. There may also be additional paid opportunities for courses, special programs, membership lectures, and similar projects.

The fellowship is ideally a three-year commitment, with a minimum commitment of two years. Fellows are expected to live in or close to New York City because the position is carried out on site. The museum is looking to begin this fellowship in fall 2026.

Eligibility and application note

The museum welcomes applicants from a wide range of backgrounds, including people entering arts and culture administration for the first time, those returning after a career break, and candidates seeking a career transition or advancement. Applicants are encouraged to explain in their cover letter why they are interested in the arts and culture field and what they hope to contribute to the role.

About the Whitney

The Whitney Museum of American Art, established in 1930 by Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, holds one of the leading collections of twentieth- and twenty-first-century American art. The museum’s mission is to collect, preserve, interpret, and exhibit contemporary American art and to serve varied audiences through a commitment to artists and to the broad complexity of art and culture in the United States.

Equal opportunity statement

The Whitney Museum of American Art is an equal opportunity employer. Hiring and promotion decisions are based solely on job-related qualifications, and the museum encourages all qualified candidates to apply.

Support note

The Joan Tisch Teaching Fellows Program is supported by a gift from Steven Tisch.