Smithsonian American Art Museum Announces 2024 – 2025 Fellowship Appointments and Residencies

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The Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM) has once again demonstrated its commitment to fostering scholarship and research in the field of American art by announcing the appointment of 18 fellows for the 2024–2025 academic year. This prestigious program, hosted by the museum in collaboration with the Smithsonian’s Office of Academic Appointments and Internships, offers a range of fellowships to scholars and students at various stages of their academic careers.

Lindsay Harris, Head of the Research and Scholars Center at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, expressed enthusiasm for this year's cohort, highlighting the significance of several inaugural fellowship awards. "Among this year’s cohort, we are particularly excited to welcome the inaugural awardees of our Audrey Flack Short-Term Fellowship, Helen Frankenthaler Foundation Fellowship, and Betsy James Wyeth Fellowship in Native American Art," stated Harris. "With these three new fellowship positions, SAAM is increasing opportunities for scholars whose research expands our conception of American art."

The 2024–2025 appointees represent a diverse array of research interests and academic backgrounds. Here are some notable fellows and their research topics:

1. **Olivia Armandroff** (University of Southern California): "Volcanic Matter: Land Formation and Artistic Creation" - George Gurney Predoctoral Fellow, Smithsonian American Art Museum, and predoctoral fellow, Smithsonian Institution Fellowship Program.

2. **Megan Baker** (University of Delaware): "Crayon Rebellion: The Material Politics of North American Pastels, 1758–1814" - Predoctoral Fellow, Smithsonian Institution Fellowship Program.

3. **Isaiah Bertagnolli** (University of Pittsburgh): "Disarming Landscapes: Antinuclear Arts Activism in the United States" - Douglass Foundation Predoctoral Fellow, Smithsonian American Art Museum.

These fellows, along with their peers, will have the opportunity to engage in rigorous research, gain access to SAAM's extensive collections, and contribute to the broader discourse surrounding American art. The fellowship program at SAAM plays a vital role in supporting emerging scholars and advancing innovative research in the field.

The announcement of the 2024–2025 fellowship appointments underscores SAAM's ongoing commitment to scholarly excellence and the advancement of knowledge in American art. As these fellows embark on their research journeys, they are poised to make significant contributions to the understanding and appreciation of the diverse artistic traditions that shape the American experience.