The UI Stanley Museum of Art is pleased to offer a graduate assistantship beginning in January 2027 that reports to the Curator of African Art.

This is a 50% (20 hrs./wk.) academic-year appointment with a stipend of $23,306 for a full academic year (prorated for the spring 2027 start), with a 100% tuition scholarship each semester based upon Board of Regents resident graduate tuition, coverage of mandatory fees, and graduate assistant benefits under University policy. The appointment is renewable by semester, contingent on satisfactory performance, through the end of the grant period on April 30, 2029--up to five semesters.

Mellon Graduate Assistantship in Indigenous American Art

The University of Iowa Stanley Museum of Art seeks a Mellon Graduate Assistant to support a collaborative research project devoted to the museum's collection of Indigenous American art. This project, funded by the Mellon Foundation as part of Tracing the History of the UI Stanley Museum of Art's African and Indigenous American Collections, will focus on researching provenance, cultural histories, tribal affiliations, and collections care considerations for works by Indigenous artists from across North America.

The Mellon GA will receive pre-professional training in curatorial and collections work while working as part of a multidisciplinary research team that includes the Curator of African Art (to whom the position reports), a Mellon Curatorial Fellow, a Mellon Curatorial Assistant, and museum collections staff.

Under the supervision of the Curator of African Art, the Mellon GA will coordinate NAGPRA (Native American Graves and Repatriation Act)-related research on Native American historical art in the Stanley Museum of Art permanent collection. The Mellon GA will conduct provenance research on the collection, correspond with Tribal Preservation Officers (TPOs) associated with objects in the collection, and coordinate meetings with TPOs to discuss and implement recommendations consistent with current NAGPRA guidelines. The GA will also view, photograph, provide written research on the collection, and share the documentation through contributions to the museum's collections database, website, StoryMaps, and public programs. 

Minimum Job Requirements

•      Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution; at least 1 year of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.

Duties & Responsibilities

•      Develops and maintains databases of collection objects; compiles and verifies collection documents, to include both manual and computerized records and forms. Performs research as needed.

•      Prepares checklists and database reports for curators, researchers, faculty, and students.

•      Coordinates conservation, preservation, and preparation guidelines consistent with NAGPRA standards.

•      In consultation with appropriate TPO's, collects information on matters pertaining to the collection; may participate in professional meetings and may offer public presentations regarding the collection and/or this NAGPRA-related project.

•      Researches and develop departmental reports as directed; prepares work estimates for budget proposals as appropriate.

•      Participates in departmental meetings and serves on working committees; collaborates with other staff members in long range planning.

•      Administrative duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

•      Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.

•      Ability to create written reports, spreadsheets, and collection checklists.

•      Knowledge of conservation and preservation techniques and/or procedures for museum collections.

•      Knowledge and understanding of the field represented by this collection area.

•      Strong interpersonal skills and ability to deal effectively in a team environment.

•      Skill in organizing resources and establishing priorities.

•      Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

•      Knowledge of museum policies, practices, and procedures.

•      Knowledge of research methodology, principles and procedures.

•      Ability to gather data, compile information, and prepare reports.

•      Experience in museums, archives, galleries, or other relevant cultural heritage settings desirable but not required.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

Work may be performed in office, gallery, and collections storage environments and may involve handling objects weighing up to 25 pounds, in accordance with museum policies and training. Some travel for consultation, research, or professional meetings may be required.