Spiegel Wilks Fellow

The University of Pennsylvania, a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation, is the largest private employer in Philadelphia. Consistently ranked among the top 10 universities in the U.S. News & World Report survey, Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia, providing access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities.

About the role

The Spiegel Wilks Fellow contributes to shaping the intellectual direction of ICA’s public engagement initiatives, connecting the Institute’s exhibition and programmatic work to the research and pedagogical mission of the University of Pennsylvania. The Fellow will cultivate academic and community partnerships, develop inquiry-driven programs, and help integrate contemporary artistic practices into broader conversations about art, ideas, and society. This two-year fellowship (with the option of a third year at the discretion of the Director of Public Engagement) offers a unique opportunity for an emerging scholar or cultural practitioner to engage deeply in curatorial and public-facing research within a leading contemporary art institution.

The Public Engagement & Research Department designs and implements a multidisciplinary platform for public programs, interpretive initiatives, community partnerships, and academic engagement at the Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA). Through lectures, workshops, performances, and community-led programs, the department advances ICA’s mission to be a launchpad for contemporary art and ideas. Its work deepens audience engagement, fosters research, and strengthens connections across ICA’s diverse publics, expanding ICA’s role as a civic resource and amplifying its research mission within the University of Pennsylvania, the Philadelphia community, and the broader field.

Responsibilities

• Serve as an active partner in shaping the intellectual content of ICA’s public programs.
• Collaborate with curators, artists, and the Director and Curator of Public Engagement & Research to develop themes, topics, and participants for lectures, conversations, and performances that expand ICA’s research mission.
• Manage and maintain relationships with invited artists, speakers, and cultural organizations, including coordination of travel, accommodations, honoraria, and related logistics.
• Facilitate undergraduate Student Board (ICASB) meetings and the Visiting Artist Lecture Series in partnership with the Director and Curator of Public Engagement & Research.
• Support opportunities for Penn students to engage directly with artists, curators, and visiting scholars.
• Build and sustain connections across the University of Pennsylvania and with external academic and cultural institutions.
• Collaborate on developing rigorous and interdisciplinary methods of inquiry through programming, publishing, and academic courses that advance ICA’s role as a site for research and teaching.
• Coordinate culminating presentations or symposia related to annual research themes and contribute to documentation, evaluation, and dissemination of public engagement initiatives.
• Work collaboratively across ICA departments as needed, contributing to other public programming or special projects.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree, and 1 to 2 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Excellent writing, research, and communication skills.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and proactive, with excellent time management and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• A self-starter who can work both independently and collaboratively.
• Demonstrated strong interest in ICA’s mission and a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.
• 1–2 years of related experience in a cultural institution, university, or nonprofit setting.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365, Google Workspace, Adobe Suite, and project management software.

Qualifications

• A degree and/or course work in art history, cultural anthropology, design, or a related field preferred.

Pay

$21.52 - $28.84 hourly rate. Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job’s level.

Benefits

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits. Flexible spending accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.
• Tuition: Exceptional tuition benefits for you, your spouse, and your dependent children at Penn and other institutions.
• Retirement: Generous retirement plans allowing pre-tax or Roth savings with a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.
• Time Away from Work: Substantial paid time off for vacations, personal affairs, illness, or injury.
• Long-Term Care Insurance: Coverage for long-term care services at home, in the community, or in a nursing facility, with no proof of good health required if applied for when newly hired.
• Wellness and Work-life Resources: Programs and resources to support work-life balance, including professional and personal development opportunities.
• University Resources: Access to libraries, athletic facilities, arboretum, art galleries, museums, and cultural and recreational activities, many of which are free or discounted for faculty and staff.
• Discounts and Special Services: Savings on arts and entertainment, transportation, mortgages, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, theme parks, and new cars from Ford and General Motors.
• Flexible Work Hours: Creative approaches to work hours, locations, and job structures to promote work-life balance.
• Penn Home Ownership Services: Forgivable loan for eligible employees buying a home or residing in West Philadelphia, usable for closing costs or home improvements.
• Adoption Assistance: Reimbursement for qualified expenses related to the legal adoption of an eligible child, up to two adoptions per household.