Description
Introduction of Institute:
The Yale Institute of Sacred Music, an interdisciplinary graduate center, educates leaders who foster, explore, and study engagement with the sacred through music, worship, and the arts in Christian communities, diverse religious traditions, and public life. Partnering with the Yale School of Music and Yale Divinity School, as well as other academic and professional units at Yale, the Institute prepares its students for careers in church music and other sacred music, pastoral ministry, performance, and scholarship. The Institute’s curriculum integrates the study and practice of religion with that of music and the arts. With a core focus on Christian sacred music, the ISM builds bridges among disciplines and vocations and makes creative space for scholarship, performance, and practice.
Overview of the Position:
Education: Bachelors and master’s degree graduates are welcome to apply. The ideal candidate would have experience in the visual arts, material culture, and/or museum studies. Further studies or experience in religion and the arts is desirable. Applicants holding the doctorate are not eligible for this position.
Training: The Art Exhibitions Postgraduate Associate will receive training at both the Institute of Sacred Music (Miller Hall, 406 Prospect St.) and the Peabody Museum of Natural History (170 Whitney Ave). At the ISM, the postgraduate associate will learn about soliciting and appraising exhibition proposals that deal with religion and the arts. The associate will attend meetings with curators, artists, and staff and formulate and execute exhibition planning, installation, and de-installation. In consultation with the ISM’s Associate Director, the postgraduate associate will gain experience in developing programming around the exhibition and learn techniques of using augmented reality interfaces in museum settings.
At the Peabody Museum the postgraduate associate will gain experience with object selection and narrative development, community engagement and evaluation, exhibition installations and graphics, design, and construction of specialist mounts for objects, design and build of media installations, preparation of specimens and objects for exhibition, fabrication of furnishings, etc.
Mentoring: The postgraduate associate will spend ten hours a week on site at the Peabody Museum, gaining hands-on experience in exhibition activities and receiving mentoring from the Peabody’s Associate Director of Exhibition, Kailen Rogers, and other Peabody staff.
In addition, the postgraduate associate will have weekly meetings with the ISM Associate Director to review progress on exhibition planning and larger strategic aims. The postgraduate associate will also attend ISM meetings and other lectures and talks on campus related to the area of religion and visual arts program at the ISM.
Requirements
Qualifications:
The ideal candidate will have completed bachelors or master’s level studies in any of the following areas: art history, anthropology, religious studies, museum studies, or another program that links with religion and the arts. The candidate for this position will also need to be detail oriented with strong communication, organization, and time management skills.
Application Process:
To apply please send your curriculum vitae, cover letter, and a list of 3 professional references, including name, nature of the professional relationship, and contact information with the subject line Postgraduate Associate in Art Exhibitions to ismfellows@yale.edu. The committee will begin to review applications on May 10, 2026. The annual salary for this position is $45,600.
The anticipated start date is July 1, 2026.
