The CCL/Mellon Foundation Seminar in Curatorial Practice provides art history PhD students with an in-depth introduction to working in museums.

No, applicants do not need to be nominated by their graduate program. Applicants who wish to be considered for the Seminar must submit a completed application, including one recommendation, before the application deadline.

No. Just as art museums reflect the breadth of artistic expression across media, cultures, and time periods, CCL supports the development of emerging curatorial professionals working across all areas of art history.

While the Seminar primarily serves full-time students enrolled in a doctoral (or equivalent) program in art history, CCL also accepts applications from candidates in related fields of study with significant coursework in art history. CCL encourages these applicants to outline their relevant academic and/or professional experience and how the Seminar would support their professional goals.

The Seminar is designed specifically for full-time students enrolled in a doctoral (or equivalent) program who have completed their oral examinations and, at minimum, determined the topic of their dissertation research. Students who have or will have defended their dissertations prior to the start of the program are not eligible to apply.≠

Previous museum experience is common, but not required.

The Seminar primarily serves full-time students enrolled in a doctoral (or equivalent) program in art history or related fields of study with significant coursework in art history who have completed their oral examinations and, at minimum, determined the topic of their dissertation research, but have not yet defended their dissertations.

If you meet this eligibility criteria but come from an unconventional field of study or academic background, CCL encourages you to apply. In your application, you may wish to explore your relevant academic and/or professional experience, how participation in the program would support your professional goals, and/or why you believe you are a strong candidate for the program.

Still not sure?

When applications are open, an “Apply now” button appears under the “How to apply” section above. Applications and recommendations are submitted online. Applicants must create a Submittable account to access the online application. You can enter information, save, and return anytime before the deadline to edit and continue the application.

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No, there is no application fee. It is free to apply to the Seminar program.

If you do not have scheduled date for your dissertation defense, please enter the approximate date that you anticipate you will complete your PhD.

If your program, university, or country does not issue transcripts or equivalent records for doctoral study, please provide the academic documentation that is available to you.

The recommendation should come from a graduate advisor, another professor, or a museum professional who is able to write knowledgeably about – and in strong support of – the applicant’s candidacy.

Recommendations are due by the application deadline. Applicants are responsible for tracking the submission of their own recommendation.

Applicants may only submit one recommendation.

No, applicants cannot read submitted recommendations, they can only see whether or not they have been submitted.

No, recommenders cannot read the application of the candidate they are submitting a recommendation for.

Recommendations due by the application deadline. Applicants are responsible for tracking the submission of their own recommendation. If your recommender did not meet the application deadline, please reach out CCL as soon as possible.

Applications are reviewed by CCL leadership and a committee of museum professionals, art historians, and CCL alumni. Top applicants advance to an interview with CCL leadership, after which a final class is selected.

CCL’s selection process generally takes two months. Selected applicants should expect to be notified by April.

Upon notification of their acceptance to the Seminar, students will have one week to sign a formal written contract committing to their participation in the program.

Once participants return their signed contract, their participation in the Seminar program is considered confirmed and final.

Each cohort is unique, and the Seminar program is competitive. As long as you still meet the eligibility requirements, CCL encourages you to reapply in the future.

The Seminar program is a comprehensive and intensive experience that does not allow for concurrent commitments. Accepted students are required to attend all scheduled sessions during the two-week period.

If you anticipate or already have concurrent commitments during the program, please wait to apply in a year when you are more available. This is vital, not only for ensuring complete participation in all program sessions, but for a wholly immersive Seminar experience – for both you and your cohort.

CCL Leadership pairs participants with an NYC-based mentor whose experience, institution, expertise, and discipline area is best aligned with needs and interests of the participant. CCL coordinates the meeting with the participant and mentor, which takes place during the two-week July Intensive.

Students receive a certificate of completion from CCL upon their successful completion of the Seminar program.

The Seminar is funded by the Mellon Foundation and is administered independently by CCL. The Seminar is not affiliated with any university and CCL does not offer academic credit for the program.