Programs
Latino Museum Studies Program (LMSP)

2010 Latino Museum Studies Program (LMSP)

Overview

Organized by the Smithsonian Latino Center (SLC), the Latino Museum Studies Program (LMSP) is dedicated to fostering the professional development of emerging leaders in the fields of Latino history, art, and culture. The four-week program includes panel sessions, lectures, workshops, and behind the scenes access to Smithsonian collections. Additionally, fellows work with Smithsonian staff on designated projects and contribute to current exhibitions, programs, and research initiatives in progress at the Institution.

Each year up to fifteen fellows are selected from a nationwide pool of applicants. Participation is free and includes accommodations for the duration of the program, as well as the cost of round-trip travel to Washington, D.C. Fellows are responsible for all other expenses during the four-weeks, including transportation within the city and meals. A stipend is not provided.

Goals

Share and promote Smithsonian Latino collections and resources.

Contribute to current research and program development at the Smithsonian.

Highlight Smithsonian museum practices and methodologies.

Develop new ways of thinking and broaden the understanding of key museum fundamentals and issues.

Create a network among the fellows, Smithsonian staff, guest faculty, and program alumni.

Summary

The first half of the program will cover diverse topics of discussion such as curatorial practice, education, exhibition design, collections management, public programming, and exhibition and audience development. The format is designed to promote dialogue amongst the faculty and fellows on a wide range of topics in the museum and cultural fields.

During the second half of the program, fellows will participate in a designated project. This component provides hands-on experience in different areas of museum work such as collecting initiatives, museum-based curriculum development, curatorial work, and on-line education initiatives. At the conclusion of the program, all fellows will be required to deliver a final presentation on their project and complete an assessment of their methodology.

The goals of the projects are to provide the fellows with the opportunity to develop new concepts and theories, as well as contribute to current exhibitions, programs, and research projects currently in progress at the Smithsonian.

Participants are required to complete all four weeks of the program.

Calendar

February 1 Online Application

April 2 Deadline for complete application packet

April – May Application processing

May 15 Selection process finalized

July 10 – August 6 Program

Selection Criteria

The program is open to graduate students and/or professionals with a minimum of three years of work experience engaged in the fields of Latino and Latin American history, art, and culture, these include but are not limited to visual arts, sociology, performing arts, literature, cultural anthropology, museum education, outreach/audience development, and related studies.

Application

The 2010 Latino Museum Studies Program application must be completed online and includes:

A complete online application form
Two (2) letters of recommendation

Application Instructions

Complete and submit the online application form. All information must be submitted in English. The direct link to Smithsonian Online Academic Appointment System (SOLAA) is https://solaa.si.edu.
Request a letter of recommendation from two distinct sources. Each recommendation should specifically address how the candidate is an appropriate fit for the program and should be posted to the SOLAA site by the April 2nd deadline. The recommender will be notified by e-mail and receive uploading instructions.

Please note: the application does not recognize special characters or accent marks. Please do not use when filling out the application.

DEADLINE

All application materials are due no later than 5 p.m. April 2, 2010

Notification

All applicants will be notified of their application status in May 2010.

2009 LMSP Agenda

2009 LMSP Guest Faculty

2009 Practicum Descriptions

LMSP Alumni List

For more information, please contact Andrew Rebatta at lmsp@si.edu or call 202.633.0972.