Reporting directly to the Center’s Director, and working collaboratively with the staff of the Center (including the Archives), as well as those of Cranbrook’s Art Museum, Institute of Science, and Schools, the Center Collections Fellow researches collections and assists with the development of their documentation, accessioning, storage, care, conservation, and inventory, as well as their display and interpretation within the context of Cranbrook House, Saarinen House, the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Smith House, and small campus-wide exhibitions. They develop and organize collections-based educational programs for Cranbrook Schools and develop lectures and tours for regional audiences, such as the Center’s popular Day Away bus tours. They also assist visiting researchers, develop the representation of the Center’s collections and programs on the Center’s website and through the Center’s blog (“Cranbrook Kitchen Sink”), and provide private tours of the campus, including Cranbrook House, Saarinen House, and Smith House.

Collections Fellows typically hold an M.A. in decorative arts, art history, architecture history, material culture, or a related field, with an emphasis on late 19th- through mid-20th-century art and architecture and a specialty/interest in decorative arts and design. They have experience in object-based research and interpretation skills, as well as outstanding speaking, writing, editing, and computer skills (including the ability to develop and execute virtual programs). They often have previous curatorial experience or internships. In addition to the position’s salary, a modest on-campus apartment is part of the benefits (no pets or smoking permitted).