The Maryland Center for History and Culture is excited to announce the Tory Burch Claire McCardell Fashion Fellowship. This fellowship, beginning in 2022, will advance professionals in the museum field by giving them the opportunity to help create a fashion exhibition in the Claire McCardell Gallery at the Maryland Center for History and Culture to open in fall of the same year. The fellow will showcase their research, leadership, and creativity skills in MCHC’s prestigious Fashion Archives, with a particular focus on research and scholarship relating to Claire McCardell and her legacy in American sportswear. The Tory Burch Claire McCardell Fashion Fellowship will provide the chosen candidate with hands-on experience in archival research, collection management, conservation and costume mounting, leadership, and curation.

ABOUT THE MCCARDELL ARCHIVES

MCHC is one of the largest repositories of Claire McCardell’s work, hosting over 30 pieces designed by McCardell, several worn by the famous designer herself. Donated by the McCardell family, the fashion collection represents a personal look at Claire’s career. In addition, MCHC’s H. Furlong Baldwin Library contains an abundance of personal and professional archival material that illuminates the inner thoughts and philosophy of the designer. MCHC is truly the source for Claire McCardell, containing iconic images, rare correspondence and working drafts of her written work as well as transcripts of public appearances lovingly collected and maintained by the McCardell family and donated to the institution.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Research items in the MCHC Fashion Archives and the H. Furlong Baldwin Research Library, with a particular focus on Claire McCardell’s designs, correspondence, and writing to uncover the myriad stories hidden in the historic folds of Claire’s work;

• Develop an exhibition proposal based on this research;

• Co-curate a fashion exhibition in the Claire McCardell Gallery based on their research, to be launched in fall 2022;

• Assist in cataloging, mounting, digitizing, and publishing the Claire McCardell collections on the digital collections portal to increase accessibility;

• Present their research findings to the public through a public program; and

• Leading behind-the-scenes tours to design and art schools and other interested groups

COMPENSATION

This is a one-year, full time, position with occasional evening and weekend hours and the ability for some telework and travel for research. The annual stipend is $40,000. Any travel required for research will be covered by MCHC.

While this fellowship is not a benefits eligible position, it offers limited paid time off as well as free membership to MCHC for the duration of the fellowship. The fellow will receive 12 days to be used for vacation, personal, or sick leave.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Advanced degree in fashion history, museum studies, women’s studies, or the fashion field, or have equivalent experience in fashion history, textile studies, or museum studies.

• 2+ years of experience in a curation, fashion, or museum work;

• Excellent research skills;

• Strong knowledge of fashion history, particularly in 20th Century;

• Working knowledge of exhibition development;

• Experience in handling textile collections;

• Ability to lift 50 pounds.

APPLY

Please email a cover letter, resume with contacts of three references to [email protected]. Subject line: Tory Burch Claire McCardell Fashion Fellowship. Incomplete applications may not be considered. No phone calls, please.

If you have any questions about the Tory Burch Claire McCardell Fashion Fellowship, contact Allison Tolman, Vice President of Collections & Interpretation at [email protected].

ABOUT MCHC

• The Maryland Center for History and Culture is an equal opportunity employer that seeks to educate people of all ages about the American experience through the rich history of Maryland using the society’s collections and to preserve important objects and archival materials from prehistoric Maryland to the present day.
• Founded in 1844, the Maryland Center for History and Culture is the state’s oldest continuously operating cultural institution. In keeping with the founders’ commitment to preserve the remnants of Maryland’s past, MCHC remains the premier institution for state history. With over 350,000 art objects and artifacts and seven million books and documents, the society now serves more than 100,000 people through its museum, library, press and educational programs. Learn more at mdhistory.org.