2016-17 Fellowships at the Center for Italian Modern Art

Each year the Center for Italian Modern Art (CIMA) awards several CIMA F ellowships to support research and study of Italian modern and contemporary art for those at the master’s, doctoral, or post-doctoral level. Citizens of all nationalities are eligible to apply. The intention of the fellowship program is to bring together  scholars from diverse academic backgrounds in an interactive  and collaborative environment at CIMA’s New York location. While fellows may pursue their own research and study, they will also work on the theme or “study topic” established by CIMA’s annual installation.

In addition, CIMA supports a Travel  Fellowship for candidates residing outside of Italy who wish to study in Italy at the master’s level or above at an accredited  academic program, or who are Ph.D. candidates or other scholars who wish to conduct research for a dissertation, book, or other scholarly project. This fellowship is unrelated  to the CIMA Fellowship and the proposal does not need to pertain to 2015-16 topic of study in New York.

2016–17 Fellowships

The theme for CIMA’s programming for the 2016–17 academic year (September  2016–July 2017) focuses on two Italian modern masters: Giorgio  de Chirico (1888–1978) and Giulio Paolini (b. 1940). Paolini has often expressed  his admiration for de Chirico, hailing him as an “illustrious model” and incorporating numerous references to the artist in his own photographs, sculptures and drawings throughout his career. CIMA’s show will feature an ongoing conceptual work by Paolini, Interno metafisico (2009–16), reconceived  specifically for CIMA’s galleries, as well as a series of new works on paper related to various tropes in de Chirico’s paintings.

To foster a dialogue between the two artists, CIMA will at the same time showcase a selection of de Chirico’s most iconic Metaphysical masterworks, on view in the US for the first time since 1970, including most notably Le Muse Inquietanti (The Disquieting Muses) (1918). CIMA’s 2016–17 installation will mark the first time the relationship between de Chirico and Paolini is explored in depth through  a focused exhibition; it also represents the first time that CIMA devotes prolonged  attention to issues of post-war Italian art.

While any aspect of de Chirico’s or Paolini’s career is welcomed as a subject of study, CIMA is especially interested in the following topics: the role of de Chirico as a model or font of inspiration for contemporary artists post–1960; the relationship between Paolini and other artists of his generation to the tradition of modernism; the issues of the nature of representation in the art of de Chirico or Paolini; and the role of citation, repetition, or appropriation in the work of either artist.

The deadline for the application is January 29,  2016 . Candidates will be notified by March 1, 2016. Application materials must be submitted in English.

Fellowship Details

• Fellowship Duration: Candidates may request a semester-length fellowship period (four to six months) or an academic year one (nine to ten months); CIMA will determine whether full-year fellowships can be allocated. The semesters run from early September  to early March (Fall), and early January to early July (Spring). Fellows may come from the disciplines of art history, Italian studies, and other fields in the humanities.  Fellowships to support study in Italy may be undertaken for a period of one to five months (or one semester).
• Stipend and Benefits: Fellowship stipends  vary in range, based on need and length of term, and typically include a living allowance of about $3,000 per month. Tuition reimbursement will be included for those enrolled in degree programs  at accredited universities; health insurance coverage will also be reimbursed, as will travel costs to and from CIMA. CIMA fellows’ tax liability to the U.S. government will be determined in accordance with the tax regulations of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.
• Resources: Fellows will be provided with working space at CIMA, as well as access to telephone, printer, and photocopier. They will be accorded visiting scholar privileges at The Graduate  Center, CUNY, and have privileges at New York City research libraries.
• Responsibilities: Fellows will be expected to be present in New York during the term of their fellowship and to participate in the intellectual life and the educational programs and other activities of CIMA. They will help with the installation and de- installation of the annual exhibition, and collaborate on writing a biographical essay for the catalogue. On days that CIMA is open for visits, the fellows will lead guided tours of the exhibition and will be responsible for leading private group visits when needed. Opportunities to present a lecture or seminar on the topic of the fellows’ study will be arranged; fellows are also invited to contribute to CIMA’s blog. Short research trips to archives elsewhere in the United States are also possible.

The Selection Process

A committee  of experts from CIMA’s advisory board and representatives from CIMA’s university partners  meet annually to select the fellows. Candidates are chosen based on their academic potential  and curriculum vitae, their proposed plans of study, their spoken and written Italian and English language abilities, and the correlation between their proposed plans and CIMA’s annual study topic. At CIMA we wish to foster a mix of scholars from different schools of thought, who employ different methodologies and approaches, in order to encourage dialogue and exchange. All other factors being equal, preference will be given to those applicants who have not had extensive prior experience living, studying and/or working in New York. CIMA selects fellows on an objective and non-discriminatory basis without regard to race, gender, religion, national origin, ethnicity or sexual orientation.

The Application

Please submit the following information  in a single  PDF document. Please do not send multiple attachments. The application should be emailed by 5pm EST January 29, 2016, to fellowships@italianmodernart.org.

Required materials:

Cover letter, including

• Name
• Email
• Phone Address
• Current Position
• Preferred Period you would like to take up the CIMA Fellowship
• Brief statement describing  your background, relevant experience, and particular interests  (250 word limit)
• Brief summary description of proposed  study, also relating your project to CIMA’s study theme (350 word limit)

Proposal Information

• Project Statement (1,500 word limit)

Curriculum  Vitae

• Please provide a curriculum vitae (max three pages)