2021 Research Fellowships at Holt/Smithson Foundation

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2021 Research Fellowships at Holt/Smithson Foundation

Holt/Smithson Foundation exists to continue the creative and investigative spirit of the artists Nancy Holt (1938-2014) and Robert Smithson (1938-73). Holt and Smithson developed innovative ways of exploring our relationship with the planet, expanding the limits of artistic practice. Through public service their Foundation engages in programs developing the artists' creative legacies, continuing the transformation they brought to the world of art and ideas.

The Research Fellowships aim to encourage new research on the work, ideas, and creative legacies of Nancy Holt and Robert Smithson. The first Research Fellowship Program launches in 2021 and the application deadline is February 1, 2021. Each Fellowship is based around a specific research project. The Fellowship Program is open to graduate students, recent college graduates, doctoral and post-doctoral researchers, artists, early career museum professionals, and Holt and Smithson scholars working towards a specific publication, exhibition, or project.

Researching from their home base, Fellows will receive total compensation of $3,540 paid in two equal installments: the first on acceptance of contract for work, and the second on delivery and acceptance of your Fellowship report. Each Fellow is expected to:

  • commit to four weeks from the Fellow’s home-base
  • attend regular virtual meetings with relevant member/s of the Team
  • complete administrative tasks relating to the selected research focus area
  • submit a print-ready report on research findings
  • if appropriate, agree that your research will be published, fully accredited, by Holt/Smithson Foundation.

The subject areas for 2021 Fellowship Program applications are:

  • Various Sites: Indigenous Narratives: There is much scholarship addressing Indigenous Land Rights and Land Art that needs to be conducted. This Fellowship is of central importance to the Foundation. The Indigenous Narratives Fellowship invites proposals from researchers with an interest in exploring the sites of Holt and Smithson’s earthworks, sculptures, and unrealized projects in relation to the histories of Indigenous Peoples and their land. Please indicate which site you are interested in researching in your application.
  • Various Sites: Local Narratives: They welcome applications from candidates based locally to artworks by Holt and Smithson to conduct research about the artwork, its site, and local contexts. The focus could be on sites of public sculptures or earthworks (for example Lake Placid, New York or Emmen, The Netherlands); former sites of artworks (for example St James’ Park, Toronto or Florida Keys); a specific location important to Holt or Smithson (for example the New Jersey Meadowlands or the Great Basin Desert); or the location of an unrealized project (for example Miami Islet or Dallas Fort Worth Airport). The Local Narratives Fellow will be expected to consult local archives to develop their research project. Please indicate which site you are interested in researching in your application.
  • Other Topics: They are open to receive proposals for other Research topics alongside the current priority topics noted above.

To apply, please email the below materials to Edna Riley at [email protected], with a deadline 1 February 2021. Please include the name of the Research Fellowship for which you are applying (for example Indigenous Narratives or Local Narratives) in the subject line.

  • Personal Statement: consisting of no more than 500 words, explain how your Holt/Smithson Foundation Research Fellowship selection fits with your wider research objectives. Include the reasons for your choice, describe what you hope to achieve from the Fellowship, and what you can contribute to Holt and Smithson studies.
  • If you are suggesting an alternative topic, please outline an overview of your proposed research topic.
  • Writing: provide a 500-word text on a single artwork by Holt or Smithson or a published article on a related topic.
  • Resume/Curriculum Vitae: please limit to four pages.
  • Letters of Recommendation: applicants must request two confidential letters of recommendation, to be sent directly to the Foundation email address above.
  • Timing: indicate the period/s when you wish to schedule the Fellowship.
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