The David W. and Mary S. Benfer Curatorial Research Fellow

The David W. and Mary S. Benfer Curatorial Research Fellow is a 9 to 12-month visiting A&P appointment reporting to the Chief Curator. A full-time member of The Ringling’s Curatorial staff, the fellow will assist with research, documentation, interpretation, and display of works in the museum’s pre-1900 collection of European and American painting, sculpture, and works on paper.

Responsibilities

• Provide research support for curatorial work related to the permanent collections of pre-1900 European and American painting, sculpture, and works on paper, including the ongoing multi-year project to reinstall the original 21 permanent collection galleries and upcoming exhibitions, programs, and publications.
• Support day-to-day curatorial work, including documenting collections and responding to inquiries.
• Assist in evaluating loan requests, potential acquisitions, and gallery substitutions.
• May assist with grant proposal preparation and applications.
• Provide general curatorial research and planning support for permanent collection projects.
• May lead gallery talks, give lectures, or pursue publishing opportunities related to research findings.
• Participate in special projects and other duties supporting museum operations as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Art History, Museum Studies, or a related field.
• Two years of relevant experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Art History.
• Advanced reading knowledge of one or more European languages.
• Knowledge of collection database programs such as TMS.
• Advanced research, writing, and communication skills.
• High level of attention to detail.
• Ability to:
  • Prioritize and organize work to meet project deadlines.
  • Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
  • Understand and interpret terminology related to the area of work.

Pay

$51,500 per year.

Schedule

Full-time, 9–12 months (anticipated start in January 2027).

About the Organization

The Ringling is one of the preeminent arts institutions in the United States. Its varied collections—art, circus, history, architecture, performance, and gardens—reflect its unique origin story tied to circus impresario John Ringling and his wife Mable, who sought to make Sarasota a world-class destination.