About the role#
The Chicago History Museum is seeking an Interpretation & Engagement Fellow to support the development and implementation of Everyday Sacred. This multi-year exhibition series explores places of memory, ritual, and belief in Chicago. You will work alongside museum staff, artists, educators, and faith leaders to connect community knowledge with museum collections. This is a three-year fellowship running from October 2026 to October 2029.
What you'll do#
- Build and maintain relationships with community organizations, faith communities, preservation advocates, and cultural partners.
- Represent the museum at community meetings and partnership gatherings.
- Plan and facilitate storytelling workshops and community asset-mapping activities.
- Collect and synthesize community stories and feedback to inform exhibition interpretation.
- Produce interpretive narratives for five community locations featured in the exhibition.
- Conduct research using museum collections and archival resources to develop accompanying research guides.
- Coordinate logistics for public programs, including scheduling, registration, and room setup.
- Document workshops and programs while managing project records and information systems.
- Support evaluation efforts by tracking engagement metrics and administering feedback tools.
What you'll need#
- Current undergraduate or graduate student, recent graduate, or emerging professional in fields such as History, Museum Studies, Public Humanities, Religious Studies, Anthropology, Sociology, Education, or Arts Administration.
- Demonstrated interest in public history, community engagement, or arts engagement.
- Familiarity with faith-based institutions, sacred spaces, or community-centered places.
- Experience working with diverse communities and audiences.
- Proficiency with Google Workspace, Salesforce, TriNet, and standard office technology.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills with an ability to adapt to diverse audiences.
- Ability to manage shifting responsibilities and handle both administrative tasks and public-facing engagement.
- Compassionate approach to working with people from various backgrounds and faith traditions.
Location & details#
- This position is based in Chicago, Illinois.
- The role is hybrid.
- This is a full-time, paid fellowship.
About Chicago History Museum
The Chicago History Museum maintains and interprets millions of artifacts related to the history of Chicago and the United States. Founded in 1856, the organization operates as a nonprofit focused on education and community engagement. It employs approximately 160 people at its location in Chicago, Illinois. The museum manages historical collections and presents exhibitions to the public.
How to get in at Chicago History Museum
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