Exploring Career and Academic Opportunities at the Fowler Museum at UCLA

The Fowler Museum at UCLA stands as a beacon of cultural understanding and artistic exploration, offering diverse opportunities for both employment and academic enrichment. From its dynamic exhibitions and public programs to its commitment to interdisciplinary approaches, the Fowler Museum provides a unique environment for individuals seeking to engage with the arts, cultures, and religions of the world. UCLA itself is one of the five biggest employers in Los Angeles. Out of 42,000 full- and part-time jobs here, you will find a place for your talent to flourish. Don’t come to UCLA for a job. Come to build a career and join a family that is working together to propel the nation’s No.

Employment Opportunities at the Fowler Museum

The Fowler Museum offers a variety of employment opportunities for individuals with diverse skills and interests. These positions range from student roles to professional staff positions, each contributing to the museum's mission of promoting cultural understanding and appreciation.

Current Openings

The Fowler Museum at UCLA is frequently seeking experienced preparators and fabricators to join its crew for Winter/Spring exhibitions. Qualified candidates should have an interest in the arts and museum-related work. Prior experience working in a museum, gallery, cultural institution, or arts organization is required.

The Fowler Museum at UCLA is also hiring an Office Assistant for the academic year. The qualified candidate will aid in Public Programs administrative tasks, including but not limited to organizing files and storage, coordinating hospitality, accounting, program outreach, preparing marketing materials and assisting with overall departmental logistics.

Student Positions

There are many opportunities for employment in the arts at UCLA. Below are some open positions available to undergraduate and graduate students interested in gaining valuable experience and deepening their connection with the arts. Whether you are interested in contributing as a graphic designer or photographer, assisting with curatorial efforts, supporting communications and storytelling, or learning more about arts administration, there is an opportunity for you.

The Fowler Museum and Islamic Studies Program at UCLA are hiring a graduate curatorial assistant to work on the exhibition project Visual and Sonic Landscapes of Muslim LA. A major part of the student’s workload will be to assist with marketing and design for various components of UEI programs, including the General Education curriculum, UCLA Cluster Program, Fiat Lux Seminars, freestanding minors (i.e., Disability Studies, Social Thought, Food Studies, and Community Engagement and Social Change) and the Center for Community Engagement (CCE). Additionally, this position will provide administrative support to the office of Undergraduate Education Initiatives and the Center for Community Engagement.

Other UCLA Arts-Related Positions

The UCLA Film & Television Archive-a division of UCLA Library-is hiring a Student Communications Assistant for the academic year. More infoThe UCLA School of the Arts and Architecture Strategic Communications team is hiring a Student Social Media Assistant for the academic year. The qualified candidate will draft and format content for social media, compile analytics reports across various platforms, and assist with special projects including photoshoots, publications, films, events, and targeted communications campaigns. The qualified candidate will produce original stories and content for inclusion on the school’s various platforms, assist with copyediting and proofreading written materials, and conduct research to assist with storytelling, content production, and special projects. The qualified candidate will be responsible for setup and breakdown for various Museum programs and events. The Facilities Student Assistant will help with tasks such as setup of tables and chairs, moving furniture, clean-up and general event duties. They will assist in all aspects of custodial and clean-up duties, including but not limited to: trash removal and disposal, sweeping, mopping, cleaning and restocking restrooms, dusting, and vacuuming of public and administration areas of the building. The Hammer Museum is hiring a Frontline Ambassador for the academic year. The qualified candidate will create a welcoming and engaging experience for visitors by answering questions, providing information about the exhibitions, and promoting membership. There are additional opportunities to assist with public programs in the Billy Wilder Theater and assist with special events. The qualified candidate will monitor the gallery spaces and protect the art while engaging with the public to answer questions and provide information about the exhibits and the Hammer. The qualified candidate will ensure galleries are posted correctly, ensure continuity of expertise and knowledge of artworks, assist with visitor interactions, and may assist with some administrative duties that pertain to training or daily operations, including necessary updates to deployments and break schedules as needed. The qualified candidate will provide basic IT and AV support in the multiple tech facilities at Perloff Hall including account creation, data entry, hardware and software support, and equipment troubleshooting.Interested candidates should submit an application via the google form.

Shop Assistant Role

Applicants should be self-motivated, able to work without supervision, and able to multitask effectively. Primary responsibilities include: operation of large tools including laser cutter and woodworking tools, restocking materials and other inventory, minor maintenance of tools and equipment, and shop cleanup. Opportunity for special projects based on interest and skill set.

Academic and Research Opportunities

Beyond employment, the Fowler Museum actively supports academic research and scholarship through various fellowships and awards. These opportunities are designed to encourage graduate students and Ph.D. candidates to engage with the museum's collections and contribute to the understanding of global arts and cultures.

Fellowships and Awards for UCLA Graduate and Ph.D. Students

Administered by the Fowler Museum director in consultation with an interdisciplinary review committee, several research and travel fellowships are offered for UCLA Graduate and Ph.D. students. These awards provide financial support for students pursuing research related to the museum's mission.

The Ralph C. Altman Memorial Fund

The Ralph C. Altman Memorial Fund was established in 1967 by friends, students, and colleagues of the late Ralph C. Altman, founder and first director of what is now the Fowler Museum at UCLA. In his four years as director, Altman helped build the Museum’s holdings of non-Western art into one of the most distinguished collections in the world. The perpetuation of interest and scholarship in the field of non-Western arts through the training of graduate students was Altman’s foremost goal.

Graduate and Ph.D. students from all fields and disciplines addressing non-Western arts may apply. This award carries a $4,000 stipend.

The Rubin/Pearlstone Awards

The Rubin/Pearlstone Awards were created by colleagues, friends, and family of the late scholars and life partners Arnold Rubin and Zena Pearlstone. These two awards honor Rubin’s and Pearlstone’s unique academic contributions and support continuing research in their areas of interest. Both scholars focused on the creative traditions of indigenous cultures as well as unconventional or under-recognized arts of contemporary peoples. Graduate and Ph.D. students working in these areas are welcome to apply. Each award carries a $3,000 stipend.

The Arnold Rubin Award was established in 1988 to honor Rubin, a professor of art history at UCLA from 1967 until his death in 1988, at age 50. It is given annually to a graduate or Ph.D. student researching the arts and material culture of Africa, Oceania, and Native America, as well as the unconventional arts of living peoples regardless of geographic area.

In 2023, Rubin’s daughter established the Zena Pearlstone Award to honor the late professor who taught art at Cal State Fullerton from 1998 to 2007. Formerly Rubin’s graduate student, decades later, Pearlstone became his partner and cared for him toward the end of his life. Graduate and Ph.D. students working in Pearlstone’s areas of interest may apply; these include the arts and material cultures of Native American peoples.

Read also: Internship Guide

The Sarah Elizabeth Gilfillan Award

The Sarah Elizabeth Gilfillan Award was established in 2007 by family, friends, and colleagues of Sarah Gilfillan in her memory. She was associate director of development for the Fowler Museum and did curatorial work on several important Latin American projects. Fluent in Spanish and Portuguese, Ms. Gilfillan had extensive experience researching and working in art museums and galleries in Brazil, Mexico, and Spain. Her goal had been to enter a Ph.D. program in Latin American art history.

This award provides a travel stipend of $3,000 to assist with field research or study abroad. Only Ph.D. students in the field of Latin American arts may apply.

The Charles E. Young Research Award

Established in 2017 to honor the legacy of Charles E. Southwest, and Mexico. The award supports costs associated with student research that analyzes existing material cultural collections and/or archives, with priority given to students using Fowler Museum collections and following indigenous research protocols.

Undergraduate, graduate, and Ph.D. students may apply. This award carries a $2,500 stipend.

Expectations for Award Recipients

Recipients of all awards are expected to present their findings at a roundtable attended by the Fowler staff and credit their award in any resulting publication, a copy of which must be provided to the museum.

Eligibility and Application Process

Students from a wide range of departments are encouraged to apply. Please indicate on the application form the award(s) for which you are eligible. Selection is based on the merits of the applicant. Any graduate or Ph.D. student registered at UCLA or receiving a degree from UCLA and planning a career in a field related to the goals of these awards is eligible, with the exception of the Gilfillan Award, for which only UCLA Ph.D. candidates may apply. In all cases, preference will be given to Ph.D. candidates whose proposed project is directly related to their dissertation and who do not have other major sources of support.

Application forms are available on the Fowler Museum website.

The Fowler Museum's Mission and Values

The Fowler Museum promotes understanding and appreciation of the diverse peoples, cultures, and religions of the world through dynamic exhibitions, publications, and public programs, informed by interdisciplinary approaches and the perspectives of the cultures represented. Also featured is the work of international contemporary artists presented within the complex frameworks of politics, culture, and social action.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer advancing inclusive excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC nondiscrimination policy.

UCLA is committed to upholding the highest ethical standards. It welcomes people of all backgrounds to join its community and contribute in a discrimination- and harassment-free workplace. UCLA employees are invited to take advantage of the wide array of development programs on offer. These programs help build skills - from workshops and career programs to management development and online training.

A Vibrant Campus Environment

UCLA offers a beautiful campus in Westwood, one of the most pleasant neighborhoods in Los Angeles, a mere five miles from the Pacific Ocean. Great public and campus transportation systems serve the needs of the workforce.

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