The Museum of International Folk Art (MOIFA) is pleased to announce the launch of its new Summer Research Fellowship Program. This program offers a unique opportunity for scholars, researchers, public folklorists, community arts administrators, and practitioners to spend four to six weeks in Santa Fe, New Mexico working on a research project related to MOIFA’s renowned folk art collection of over 163,000 objects and MOIFA’s Bartlett Library and Archives collections, and engaging with MOIFA staff members and the local community. A vibrant city for art and culture, Santa Fe was the first city designated as a Creative City in the United States by UNESCO, appointed in 2005 for its Craft and Folk Art community. This pilot program will run for two years (2025-2026), with the fellowship scheduled between June 1 and August 31 each year
MOIFA summer research fellows will receive:
- $2,500 Fellowship Honorarium; Travel Allowance to reimburse costs to and from Santa Fe (up to $1000);
- Stipend towards lodging, per diem living costs, local transportation, and research expenses for the duration of fellowship.
- Scheduled access to MOIFA’s collections, its collections database and related files, and to the Bartlett Library and Archives;
- Guidance and support from staff with specialist knowledge of the collections as available. MOIFA curatorial, library/archives, education, and collections staff and volunteers can provide guidance to help fellows refine their research methodology and gain valuable insights;
- Workspace for conducting the research;
- Opportunities for community immersion and connecting with local artists, other institutions, and cultural practitioners in Santa Fe, NM;
- Public engagement through presenting their research and an opportunity to contribute to ongoing dialogue surrounding folk art, expressive culture, and museum studies.
MOIFA summer research fellows will be expected to:
- Be in residence weekdays and complete their project during the fellowship period;
- Make a public presentation on their research near the end of their fellowship;
- Write a blog post and/or a brief article for a MOIFA publication based on the research project;
- Submit a brief written report (two to three pages) on research completed and resources used within a month of completing the fellowship;
- Acknowledge the MOIFA Summer Research Fellowship in any publications, reports, performances, or public presentations resulting from the research.
