The New Jersey Council for the Humanities seeks a public humanities scholar to assist with program development and research associated with 2022 tour of the Smithsonian-created exhibit Voices and Votes: Democracy in America. This traveling exhibit will tour to six sites throughout the state in 2022. To learn more about the host sites, click here.
ABOUT THE EXHIBIT
When American revolutionaries waged a war for independence, they took a leap of faith that sent ripple effects across generations. They embraced a radical idea of establishing a government that entrusted the power of the nation not in a monarchy, but in its citizens. That great leap sparked questions that continue to impact Americans: Who has the right to vote? What are the freedoms and responsibilities of citizens? Whose voices will be heard? Voices and Votes: Democracy in America is a springboard for discussions about those very questions and how they are reflected in local stories. To learn more about the traveling exhibit, click here. (museumonmainstreet.org/VoicesVotes)
Voices and Votes: Democracy in America is a portable exhibit developed by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service through their Museum on Main Street (MoMS) initiative. MoMS exhibits are available exclusively to the fifty-six state and jurisdictional humanities councils, who work with local partners to host exhibits at diverse locations around the state. Easy to install, these exhibitions are designed for sites that may not have any experience with hosting exhibitions but do have a desire to engage their communities in the content of the exhibit.
ABOUT THE STATE SCHOLAR
The state scholar will work closely with NJCH’s program team to develop and implement a public program reflecting the exhibit’s themes and issues that can be held in each of New Jersey’s 21 counties, including the six exhibit host sites. The program will engage public audiences in the types of content and questions elicited by the exhibit, offering opportunities for discussion, reflection, and public comment. Additionally, the state scholar will work with each of the six host sites, serving as an advisor to each site as they plan their exhibit and affiliated programming.
Relevant disciplines/focus areas: history, political science, American studies, or related field. NJCH welcomes scholars from non-academic backgrounds to apply for this position, including public scholars unaffiliated with an institution and experience in lieu of terminal degree.
Work on this program will take place from fall 2021 through winter or early spring 2023 (research and development: fall 2021-winter 2022; program implementation: spring-fall 2022; concluding events and reporting: winter-spring 2023). The majority of planning and development work will take place off-site; depending on COVID considerations, programs and meetings may take place in person, virtually, or hybrid. The scholar can expect to work 10-20 hours per month for 15-18 months. Total compensation: $20,000 (compensation may be prorated based on exact tenure of contract).
HOW TO APPLY
Please send a letter describing your interest in and qualifications for this program along with a resume or CV to programs@njhumanities.org. The most competitive applicants will have significant experience working on publicly oriented history programs for different audiences. A commitment to raising up underrepresented voices and deeply engaging with diverse communities through the humanities is essential to this position.
Questions about the position or program should be directed to Gigi Naglak, Director of Programs, at gnaglak@njhumanities.org. Voices and Votes is funded in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities’ A More Perfect Union initiative.
