Summary
Description
Petrie Institute of Western American Art Curatorial Fellow
Why Join Us?
At the Denver Art Museum (DAM), we work together to build a world where art sparks creativity and connects, inspires, and empowers people and communities. The Petrie Institute of Western American Art Curatorial Fellow will have access to curatorial experiences, opportunities, and mentorship directly relevant to a career as a museum curator specializing in western American and American art. You will participate in a two-year fellowship, with an option for a third year, gaining hands-on experience in a large world art museum alongside seasoned curators. You will receive mentoring supervision and collaborate professionally with the director/curator of the Petrie Institute of Western American Art, an interpretive specialist, and many other team members throughout the museum. Through incremental incorporation into departmental and museum-wide initiatives, you will gain deep, practical experience applicable to the field.
Be part of a curious, respectful, dynamic, inclusive, and creative team who are committed to creating memorable museum experiences for all! If you share our passion for creativity and community building, we encourage you to apply!
Schedule: This is a 40-hour per week fellowship for two years, with an option for a third year.
Pay Range: $53,000 – $66,200 per year, paid on an hourly basis, based on experience.
Perks & Benefits: A comprehensive medical/dental/vision plan, that can be extended to domestic partner, spouse, and children. DAM 100% paid Life Insurance, and Short/Long Term Disability. Generous sick and vacation paid time off and one personal day. Ten paid holidays. 403(b) Retirement Plan with immediate eligibility to contribute and those who meet the requirements after one year will qualify for the 3% non-elective contribution and 2% match program. A free RTD Eco Pass. Free Telehealth and Employee Assistance Program. Access to Headspace. Two weeks Paid Parental Leave. Free DAM Family Membership.
Please note: The Denver Art Museum does not provide parking for its employees.
What You’ll Do
Under the direction of the director and curator of the Petrie Institute of Western American Art, your responsibilities will include:
- Working closely with the director/curator to develop ambitious exhibitions and programs.
- Researching and planning for permanent gallery rotations.
- Writing and editing Blog posts, program descriptions, and content for press and marketing.
- Researching collections, conducting provenance research, and updating object records in the collection database ARGUS.
- Being an active member of the curatorial division.
- Helping build and refine the collections.
- Cultivating collectors, patrons, curatorial colleagues, and cultural organizations.
- Producing scholarly publications.
- Traveling for research, presentations, or other work-related events in consultation with the director/curator.
- Speaking publicly to diverse audiences including the general public, university students, specialists, and donors in both formal (presentation) and informal (tour) settings.
- Planning and supporting events, public programs, and symposia.
- Participating in museum-wide teams and other museum or department tasks as assigned.
- Maintaining professional affiliations in scholarly organizations, professional societies, and relevant committees.
- Supporting DAM’s Racial Equity Roadmap initiatives through goal setting and applying a racial equity lens in daily work.
- Additional duties as assigned.
Qualifications
What We’re Looking For
We’re looking for a quick learner who enjoys working collaboratively and is able to think creatively and critically. In addition, you might be a great fit if you have the following:
- M.A./M.F.A. required (minimum) in a related field.
- At least 3 years of professional work experience in a museum or research/educational institution; exhibition or gallery experience and publications highly desirable.
- Experience in publication editing and/or conference organizing.
- A clear commitment and passion for museums and a museum profession.
- Demonstrated knowledge of western American and/or American art from the 19th century to the present.
- Knowledge of current trends and theories in American art history, museum studies, and provenance research.
- Sound work habits and organization, personal initiative, excellent written and verbal communication, and the ability to work in a dynamic museum environment.
- A love of objects, an aptitude for curatorial work, and evidence of scholarly promise.
- A strong network of professional colleagues, collectors, dealers, and artists.
- An excellent command of spoken and written English and can generate content in English for broad audiences.
- French, Spanish, or other language comprehension.
Qualified candidates are expected to exemplify the DAM’s internal values, which include being dynamic, respectful, inclusive, creative, and curious. The ability to maintain effective and positive working relationships with visitors, employees, volunteers, representatives of public and private entities, policy-making bodies, and contractors is critical to the success of this position.
Physical Requirements and Working Conditions
- Moderate to heavy lifting will be involved on occasion.
- Expected to adhere to a 40-hour work week.
This position is not covered by a Collective Bargaining Agreement with AFSCME-CWU.
The DAM prioritizes adaptability and a human-centered work environment. We are happy to consider accommodations. This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the job.
Our Hiring Process & What to Expect
We know job searching can be overwhelming, so here’s a transparent look at our process:
- Application close date is: June 4, 2026.
- Our hiring team will review the applications and resumes and select candidates for interview. The interview process may include a phone screening and in-person panel interviews at the DAM.
- Due to the high volume of applications, we are unable to respond to phone calls or emails regarding application status.
- Candidates selected for interviews will be contacted directly.
Who We Are
At the Denver Art Museum, we are deeply committed to standing against discrimination, violence, and hate in all forms against any individual or group. We remain focused on fostering inclusion, equal opportunity, and belonging inside and out.
The museum serves as a platform for creative expression and community well-being by collecting and presenting work by artists from diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, including those communities that have been historically underrepresented in museums. We give space to a wide range of artist voices by sharing the work of and collaborating with artists and creatives from all races, backgrounds, and identities.
We believe that art and creativity have the power to promote mutual understanding and highlight our shared humanity—connecting, inspiring, and empowering people and communities. The museum’s board of trustees, volunteers, and staff remain committed to being an anti-racist organization and making the Denver Art Museum an inclusive and diverse place where everyone always feels welcome.
ABOUT THE DENVER ART MUSEUM:
The Denver Art Museum strives to enrich the lives of present and future generations through the acquisition, presentation, and preservation of works of art, supported by exemplary scholarship and public programs related to both its permanent collections and to temporary exhibitions presented by the museum.
OVERVIEW:
Founded in 1893, the Denver Art Museum (DAM) is an educational, nonprofit resource that sparks creative thinking and expression through transformative experiences with art. A premier cultural institution in the Rocky Mountain region, the Denver Art Museum holds collections from around the world and across time. The museum celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2018 and has recently experienced remarkable growth – with exhibitions and programs engaging more than 750,000 plus visitors per year. The museum’s historic 210,000 square foot Gio Ponti-designed Martin Building opened in 1971 and recently underwent a $150 million renovation, and the addition of a 50,000 square-foot welcome center.
The newly re-opened spaces bring the museum’s world-renowned museum education programming for all ages to the center of the campus. The completion of the campus expands the museum’s ability to serve the community, welcome guests to our city, and preserve and present priceless works of art from cultures around the world and throughout history for generations to come. DAM resides in the heart of the Golden Triangle Creative District, a culturally stimulating neighborhood that is home to 5 museums, 15 art galleries, and several fine art studios and specialty stores in downtown Denver. The museum’s campus consists of four structures: the newly renovated Martin Building, the Frederic C Hamilton Building, the Sie Welcome Center, and the Bannock Administration Building and outdoor areas encompassing 4.14 acres.
As an institutional member of the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), the Association of Art Museum Directors (AAMD), and International Council of Museums (ICOM), the Denver Art Museum is committed to following the AAMD Report on the Acquisition of Archaeological Materials and Ancient Art and the 1970 UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export, and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property. All curators are required to abide by the above guidelines.
The Petrie Institute of Western American Art
The Petrie Institute of Western American Art (PIWAA) tells the story of American art from a western perspective and situates western American art in a global context. It accomplishes this by bringing scholarship and creative vision to the field of western American and American art; by maintaining a rigorous schedule of exhibitions and publications that shape and push these fields forward; and by entrepreneurial growth and strategic refinement of its collection. Uniquely situated within an encyclopedic museum, PIWAA staff work across departments to share artworks and knowledge within its 20,000-square-foot permanent galleries. We tell both hyper-local stories and broader global narratives while honoring the West’s diversity of cultures, climates, ecosystems, and demographics. We embrace the region’s multi-faceted histories and provide nuanced perspectives on identity, place, and belonging in the past, present, and future.
The Institute of Western American Art was founded in 2001 with an unrestricted gift of over 900 artworks from William Sr. and Dorothy Harmsen. In 2011, the department was endowed and renamed the Petrie Institute of Western American Art thanks to the generosity of Tom and Jane Petrie. In 2013, Henry Roath gifted more than 50 masterworks that elevated the western American art holdings and provided a foundation for the acquisition of the Dr. George and Catherine Peck collection. In 2024, Barbara Thompson gave her significant collection of over 100 fine art prints featuring the American Southwest, which reinvigorated the department’s work on paper program. In 2025, Henry Roath’s bequest of nearly $18 million created the largest acquisition endowment to date at the museum. While the collection has grown only slightly in number – now comprising over 1,000 paintings, sculptures, and works on paper – it has grown exponentially in value and representation.
Benefits
Perks & Benefits: A comprehensive medical/dental/vision plan, that can be extended to domestic partner, spouse, and children. DAM 100% paid Life Insurance, and Short/Long Term Disability. Generous sick and vacation paid time off and one personal day. Ten paid holidays. 403(b) Retirement Plan with immediate eligibility to contribute and those who meet the requirements after one year will qualify for the 3% non-elective contribution and 2% match program. A free RTD Eco Pass. Free Telehealth and Employee Assistance Program. Access to Headspace. Two weeks Paid Parental Leave. Free DAM Family Membership.
