April 2, 2025

CLARK ART INSTITUTE ANNOUNCES RESEARCH AND ACADEMIC PROGRAM FELLOWSHIPS FOR 2025–2026

(Williamstown, Massachusetts)—The Clark Art Institute’s Research and Academic Program (RAP) announces the appointment of its 2025–2026 class of Fellows for summer 2025 and the upcoming academic year.

The Clark Art Institute is one of a small number of institutions globally that is both an art museum and a center for research, critical discussion, and higher education in the visual arts. Through RAP, the Clark hosts a residential fellowship program that welcomes leading scholars from around the world for periods ranging from two to nine months. To date, the community of Clark Fellows numbers more than 430 individuals hailing from thirty countries, forming a global network of scholars united through the shared experience of academic pursuits undertaken within a leading art history library and on the bucolic grounds of the Clark.

“The fellowship program at the Clark is about building relationships across distinct disciplines and perspectives,” said Caroline Fowler, Starr Director of the Research and Academic Program. “I am always surprised by the ability of the diverse cohorts to forge bonds and transform their own research and writing through engaging in conversation. It is so vital to nourish the importance of expertise, scholarship, and divergent methods within art history, and it is always a privilege to welcome our new class of fellows.”

While in residency at the Clark, Fellows pursue independent research projects that span a wide variety of topics and pursuits, including writing, conceptualizing exhibitions, and studying vital issues in art history and the humanities. The Clark’s library collection—recognized as one of the leading art history libraries in the United States—serves as a central resource for researchers. Scholars live in apartments in a house close to the Clark’s campus, providing a collegial environment that fosters collaboration, ongoing dialogue, and exchange of ideas.

“The Fellows program is central to the mission of the Clark as a research center for art history,” said Olivier Meslay, Hardymon Director of the Clark. “The breadth of their projects, and the opportunity to engage with experts from around the world about their research, is one of many programs at the Clark that plays a role in making the Northern Berkshires an international art history destination.”

In June, RAP celebrates its twenty-fifth anniversary. Past fellows, former conference conveners and participants, previous RAP and Clark staff member, and a host of other invited scholars, curators, and practitioners will convene for

lectures, roundtable conversations, seminars, film screenings, special tours, and object sessions at the Clark from June 25–28.

Gathering for four days under the theme, Writing Art History, participants are invited to think together about the ways in which writing art history is changing rapidly. Events are free and open to the public. Visit clarkart.edu/RAP25 for the full conference program.

Fellowships for 2025–2026 are awarded to:

Summer (July–August 2025)
Clark Fellows: Ernst van Alphen, professor emeritus, Leiden University, the Netherlands; Mieke Bal, professor emerita, University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Nika Elder, American University, Washington, D.C.
Short-Term Beinecke Fellows: Cammy Brothers, Northeastern University, Boston; Masimba Hwati, Akademie der Bildenden Künste, Vienna, Austria

Fall (September–December 2025)
Clark Fellows: Julie Harris, independent scholar, Chicago; Leslie Geddes, Tulane University, New Orleans; Keelan Overton, independent scholar, Santa Barbara, California
Short-Term Class of 1974 Fellow: Gabriele Finaldi, National Gallery, London
Clark / Oakley Humanities Fellow: Charmaine Nelson, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Futures Fellow: Jeong Han Kim, Seoul National University, Korea

Spring (February–June 2025)
Clark Fellows: Ana Lucia Araujo, Howard University, Washington, D.C.; Alice Miceli, independent scholar, Rio de Janeiro and New York City
Michael Ann Holly Fellow: Jesús Muñoz Morcillo, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany Clark / Oakley Humanities Fellow: Charmaine Nelson, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Beinecke Fellow: Luis Vargas Santiago, Institute of Aesthetic Research, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City 
Gould Foundation Fellow: Jean Hérald Legagneur, State University of Haiti, Port-au-Prince, Haiti

For more information, visit clarkart.edu/rap.

ABOUT THE CLARK 
The Clark Art Institute, located in the Berkshires of western Massachusetts, is one of a small number of institutions globally that is both an art museum and a center for research, critical discussion, and higher education in the visual arts. Opened in 1955, the Clark houses exceptional European and American paintings and sculpture, extensive collections of master prints and drawings, English silver, and early photography. Acting as convener through its Research and Academic Program, the Clark gathers an international community of scholars to participate in a lively program of conferences, colloquia, and workshops on topics of vital importance to the visual arts. The Clark library, consisting of some 300,000 volumes, is one of the nation’s premier art history libraries. The Clark also houses and co-sponsors the Williams College Graduate Program in the History of Art.

The Clark, which has a three-star rating in the Michelin Green Guide, is located at 225 South Street in Williamstown, Massachusetts. Its 140-acre campus includes miles of hiking and walking trails through woodlands and meadows, providing an exceptional experience of art in nature. Galleries are open 10 am to 5 pm Tuesday through Sunday, from September through June, and daily in July and August. Admission is free January through March and is $20 from March through December; admission is free year-round for Clark members, all visitors age 21 and under, and students with a valid student ID. Free admission is also available through several programs, including First Sundays Free; a local library pass program; and EBT Card to Culture. For information on these programs and more, visit clarkart.edu or call 413 458 2303.

Press contact: pr@clarkart.edu