ICAA Research and Metadata Development Fellow

Call for Applications

Title:                            ICAA Research and Metadata Development Fellow, Latinx Art

Academic Level:             PhD student in art history or related field OR recent graduate of a MLIS program (must be conferred between June 2025 and June 2026)

Department:               International Center for the Arts of the Americas (ICAA)

Fellowship Term:        September 2026—August 2027

Work Location:            Remote

Deadline to apply:      July 31^st, 2026

Project Description

Organized by the International Center for the Arts of the Americas (ICAA), ¡Aquí Estamos!: Latinx Art at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston is a multi-year, institution-wide initiative that is opening critical pathways for the study and exhibition of Latinx art and artists within a major encyclopedic museum. Key to the initiative are emerging researchers who are well-positioned to make significant contributions to the expanding field of Latinx art. ¡Aquí Estamos! provides hands-on training and mentorship for a cohort of future museum and research professionals focused on Latinx art. These fellowship opportunities recognize the importance of early-career exposure to curatorial, conservation, and museum interpretation practices as well as archival and primary source research in cultivating the next generation of scholars and museum professionals.

A component of the larger ¡Aquí Estamos! initiative, the Latinx Papers Project aims to significantly expand the representation of Latinx art within the ICAA’s groundbreaking Documents of Latin American and Latino Art digital platform. The Latinx Papers Project is focused on the preservation and dissemination of primary source materials —correspondence, manifestos, exhibition reviews, exhibition pamphlets, journal articles, etc.— that are critical to the field of Latinx art. A targeted selection of documents will be culled from key repositories across the United States. Participating ICAA research fellows work with the ICAA headquarters and collaborating repositories across the U.S. to digitize, research, annotate, and publish thousands of new documents to the Documents Project site

Fellowship Description

The ICAA is offering a Research and Metadata Development Fellow the opportunity to assist in the research, processing, and publication of primary source documents for the ICAA’s Documents Project digital platform. The selected fellow will accumulate expertise on major figures related to Latinx art and art movements; develop advanced archival research skills; gain familiarity with the systems and best practices for digital archive projects; and learn to work within a highly collaborative research model. Additionally, the fellow will develop cataloguing skills using controlled vocabularies as well as the creation of project-specific, culturally competent metadata.

Primary Responsibilities and Opportunities

• In collaboration with ICAA staff, research and develop cataloguing metadata, including name authorities and topic descriptors, and generate database records for incoming documents
• Under the guidance of ICAA staff, research selected documents and write their accompanying synopses and annotations for publication to the ICAA Documents Project
• As needed, help to identify and/or liaise with potential collaborating repositories
• As needed, perform on-site research in collaborating repositories
• Propose, develop, and publish texts resulting from their project research
• Participate in weekly Latinx Papers Project-team meetings as well as workshops and other enrichment activities
• As needed, assist with administrative duties related to the project

Qualifications

• Student currently enrolled in a PhD program in art history or related field. Applicants who recently received a MLIS degree (conferred within 2025-2026) are also strongly encouraged to apply.
• Demonstrated background or expertise in Latinx art is required. Related knowledge of modern and contemporary Latin American art is desired.
• Proficiency in Spanish (verbal and written) is required
• Familiarity with or interest in cataloguing, metadata, and controlled vocabularies
• Familiarity with content management systems specific to archival and cultural heritage institutions such as Omeka
• Excellent research and writing skills
• High attention to detail and organization
• Ability to work collaboratively as well as independently
• Previous experience working with archives and special collections is required
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office/365
• Must currently be eligible to work in the United States

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

• Work will be performed remotely in a home, office, and libraries and archives.
• Ability to collect and analyze research and data as well as verbal information to reach logical recommendations and conclusions
• Ability to work under deadlines and sometimes changing requirements or expectations in an appropriate manner
• Job duties will include extended sitting, standing, and working with a computer
• Must undergo and meet company standards for relevant criminal background and professional reference checks

Anticipated Schedule

This is a one (1) year, full-time, remote appointment (35hrs/wk). The anticipated term is September 7^th, 2026 to August 28^th, 2027, but minor adjustments will be considered based on the selected candidate’s availability.

The fellowship is structured to accommodate the selected Fellow’s academic commitments. Working schedule is flexible, but duties must be performed in accordance with deadlines and project milestones as defined and established by the ICAA.

Stipend

The ICAA Research and Metadata Development Fellow will receive a $35,000 award and $3,500 allowance for research-related travel. The fellow is also eligible to receive benefits from the MFAH.

Please note that the MFAH is unable to offer tuition assistance or remission.

Benefits

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, offers an excellent benefits package that includes:

• Paid time off, holidays, and volunteer time off

• Group health, dental and vision insurance coverage available and effective the first of the month following employment with the MFAH for this role.

• Professional development support and museum membership

Application Instructions

Please submit the following materials to MFAH Careers by July 31^st, 2026:

• Letter of interest describing your experience and professional goals as relevant to this opportunity (maximum 1500 words) 
• Curriculum vitae including relevant graduate coursework completed
• Academic writing sample (maximum 12-15 pages) 
• The name and contact information for at least two (2) academic or other relevant professional references

Applications or letters of interest sent via mail, fax, or direct email to a staff member will not ensure consideration. Please note that only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.

For inquiries, please contact: icaa@mfah.org

Equal Opportunities for All

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, is committed to diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion. We encourage applications from candidates whose experiences and perspectives will contribute meaningfully to our work and institutional culture.

The MFAH is equally committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals interested in employment with the organization. As part of this commitment, we want to ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation needed to 1) participate in the job application or 2) interview process; 3) perform essential job functions; and/or 4) participate in the benefits and privileges of employment with the MFAH. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact the human resources department: HR@mfah.org.

About the Department:

The MFAH is an internationally recognized leader in the fields of Latin American and Latino art. Over the last 25 years, the Museum built a core collection of post-World War II modern and contemporary art with over 850 emblematic works in all media from Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and the United States. During this time, the MFAH acquired works by major Latino artists including: Allora & Calzadilla, Carlos Almaraz, María Magdalena Campos-Pons, Margarita Cabrera, Mel Casas, Adriana Corral, Rafa Esparza, Teresita Fernández, Carmen Lomas Garza, Jay Lynn Gomez, Luis Jiménez, Antonio Martorell, Amalia Mesa-Bains, César A. Martínez, Daniel Joseph Martinez, Patssi Valdez, and Vincent Valdez. To date, the Museum’s holdings in this area encompass 400+ works by over 80 artists.

In 2001, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH), established the Latin American Art Department and its research arm, the International Center for the Arts of the Americas (ICAA). The mission of the ICAA is to collect, exhibit, research, and educate audiences about the diverse artistic production of Latin American and Latinx communities. The ICAA organizes research-based exhibitions, maintains a dynamic publications program, and develops research and education projects that complement the MFAH’s renowned collections of Latin American and Latino art. The ICAA’s cornerstone initiative is the Documents of Latin American and Latino Art digital archive project, which is dedicated to recovering primary source documents and critical texts related to Latin American and Latinx art and making them accessible to a worldwide audience.

About the MFAH

The MFAH is an organization comprised of 600+ employees and 1,000+ docents and volunteers. The museum is more than 100 years old and ranks nationally among the top 10 art museums in exhibition space, memberships, endowments, and attendance, with 1M visitors annually. Our multifaceted institution includes multiple gallery buildings, a sculpture garden, two art schools, three eateries and two house museums for decorative arts. The encyclopedic collection numbers more than 70,000 works of art in a wide range of media. As an employer, MFAH offers a supportive, collegial and inclusive work environment and a competitive benefits package.