Williamstown, Mass. —The Clark Art Institute announces the appointment of a distinguished class of scholars and art historians as fellows in the Clark’s Research and Academic Program (RAP) for the 2019–2020 academic year. The Clark is one of a small number of institutions globally that is both an art museum and a center for research, critical discussion, and higher education in the visual arts.
The residential fellowships range from three to nine months, beginning in September 2019. During a residency, each fellow pursues an independent research project and has the opportunity to participate in a number of RAP programs considering diverse art historical topics and larger questions and motivations that shape the practice of art history. While at the Clark, each fellow also presents a free public lecture related to their work. (Visit clarkart.edu for a full schedule of these events.)
Fellowships are awarded annually to established and promising scholars with the aim of fostering a critical commitment to inquiry in the theory, history, and interpretation of art and visual culture. To date, the community of Clark Fellows numbers more than 350 individuals hailing from thirty countries, creating a global network of scholars united through the shared experience of academic pursuits undertaken on the Institute’s Williamstown campus. The Clark’s revered library collection—recognized as one of the leading art history libraries in the United States—serves as a central resource for the researchers. Scholars are housed in apartments close to the Clark’s campus, providing a collegial environment that fosters collaboration, ongoing dialogue, and exchange of ideas.
Support from the Center for Spain in America, the Florence Gould Foundation, Samuel H. Kress Foundation, The Manton Foundation, Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, Prospect Hill Foundation, and the Sperry Fund helps to underwrite fellowships in the Research and Academic Program.
Fellowships for the 2019–2020 academic year are awarded to:
Fall (September–December 2019)
Beinecke Fellow: Jared Sexton, University of California, Irvine (US)
Clark Fellow: Jessica Horton, University of Delaware (US)
Clark/Oakley Humanities Fellow: Kirsten Scheid, American University of Beirut (Lebanon)
Clark Curatorial Fellows: Adrienne Childs, independent scholar (US); Christa Clarke, independent scholar (US); Neeraja Poddar, The City Palace Museum, Udaipur (India)
Manton Fellow: Jiat-Hwee Chang, National University of Singapore (Singapore)
Mellon Network Fellow: Susan Gagliardi, Emory University (US)
Spring (February–June 2020)
Center for Spain in America Fellow: Julie Harris, Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership (US)
Clark Fellow: Lisa Lee, Emory University (US)
Clark/Oakley Humanities Fellow: Kirsten Scheid, American University of Beirut (Lebanon)
Florence Gould Foundation Fellow: Matthew Hunter, McGill University (Canada)
Michael Ann Holly Fellow: Brigid Doherty, Princeton University (US)
Manton Fellow: Natasha Eaton, University College London (England)
About the Clark
The Clark Art Institute, located in the Berkshires of western Massachusetts, is one of a small number of institutions globally that is both an art museum and a center for research, critical discussion, and higher education in the visual arts. Opened in 1955, the Clark houses exceptional European and American paintings and sculpture, extensive collections of master prints and drawings, English silver, and early photography. Acting as convener through its Research and Academic Program, the Clark gathers an international community of scholars to participate in a lively program of conferences, colloquia, and workshops on topics of vital importance to the visual arts. The Clark library, consisting of more than 275,000 volumes, is one of the nation’s premier art history libraries. The Clark also houses and co-sponsors the Williams College Graduate Program in the History of Art.
The Clark, which has a three-star rating in the Michelin Green Guide, is located at 225 South Street in Williamstown, Massachusetts. Its 140-acre campus includes miles of hiking and walking trails through woodlands and meadows, providing an exceptional experience of art in nature. Galleries are open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm; open daily in July and August. Admission is $20; free year-round for Clark members, children 18 and younger, and students with valid ID. Free admission is available through several programs, including First Sundays Free; a local library pass program; EBT Card to Culture; and Blue Star Museums. For more information on these programs and more, visit clarkart.edu or call 413 458 2303.