Program Overview
Interested in how museums engage the public? This program encourages you to explore a career in museums and gain an understanding of how museums address the challenge of presenting diverse historical narratives to popular audiences.
The History Fellows Program is designed to engage students in studying the challenges related to the underrepresentation of communities of color and American Indian Nations in historical organizations and public history graduate programs. Communities need to “see themselves” in the work of cultural organizations in order to identify with their missions. For museums, diversity is not about political correctness. The demographic shifts in American society require the leaders of state historical organizations and museums to diversify the perspective of their organizations in order to truly fulfill their missions.
Applicants must be currently enrolled at the University of Minnesota for Spring 2020. Applicants must be prepared to complete internship hours in the summer at the Minnesota History Center.
The Program's Four Components
- Semester-long course that explores the museum field and the challenges that museums face regarding inclusion and diversity (Tuesdays 3:30-6:00 pm)
- Paid internship during the Summer Semester
- Museum-study trip to meet with various museum professionals in Washington D.C.
- Post-program mentoring from program staff regarding graduate programs and professional development opportunities.
Museums Visited by Past Fellows
The 2019 HMFP Fellows visited many of the country's top museums:
- The National Holocaust Memorial Museum
- The National Museum of American History
- The Newseum
- The National Museum of the American Indian
- The National Museum of African American History and Culture
Application Process
MNHS is currently not accepting applications for the History Museum Fellows Program. Please check this page in the future for program updates.