The Kinney Center for Interdisciplinary Renaissance Studies announces the inauguration of the Gillespie Curatorial Fellowship in Shakespeare and the Book. This competitive fellowship offers an opportunity for advanced undergraduate and graduate students to work with one of the most important private Shakespeare collections in America.
Fellows will learn all aspects of curatorial practice from developing research questions, to creating exhibition materials, and collaborating with scholars and librarians in order to produce a special exhibit that tells new stories and forges new directions in the study of Shakespeare and the book. Fellows will work closely with trained rare book librarians and faculty in Renaissance studies throughout the duration of their fellowship.
Ahead of your application, please be sure to visit us at the Kinney Center and learn more about the rare book collection that you'll be working with.
Applications are due: October 19, 2025
Fellowships will be announced: By early November
Cover Letter
Please be sure your letter addressed the following questions:
What draws you to Shakespeare and the book?
How do you imagine bringing your academic interests and/or work experience to bear on the project of curating an exhibit?
Have you had an opportunity to work with rare books before? (not required)
What do you hope to learn?
How might this experience offer training relevant to your future goals?
Vision Statement (300 words)
Brief statement of your vision—this might include: where you imagine beginning your project; what aspects of Shakespeare’s works most interest you; what experience you have, if any, with rare books; what central question(s) your exhibit might explore
Resume
Experience and coursework pertaining to Shakespeare, Renaissance history, early modern studies, history of the book, museum studies, material culture, or other topics of special interest
Major and minor, as well as internship-, workstudy-, and volunteer-experience
Reference
1 page faculty letter of support sent to rencen@umass.edu
Ahead of submission, you are encouraged to speak with faculty, mentors, and rare book librarians as you prepare an application. Every Fellow will have an individual faculty member working closely with them. So, be sure to reach out to your faculty of choice prior to applying.