Sheldon Hackney Fellowship - Education, Oral History, Programming, or Marketing

About the Fellowship

Join us at the Martha’s Vineyard Museum for an unforgettable summer fellowship experience! Our program offers a unique blend of activities that will immerse you in the fascinating world of museum work. For summer 2026, the MV Museum will offer fellowships focusing on oral history, education, programming and events, and marketing and executive support .

As a Sheldon Hackney Fellow, you’ll enjoy a variety of museum experiences, including working with the collection, performing research, preparing exhibits, organizing programs, assisting with special events, running kids’ activities, interacting with visitors, and working with a professional staff. With the experience gained at MVM, previous fellows have gone on to careers in the fields of library science, historic preservation, public history, non-profit management, education, and museum studies. We’re on the lookout for enthusiastic, self-starters who are ready to think creatively, work independently, and be part of a vibrant team.

2026 Fellowship Positions

Education Fellows

Education fellows will focus on contributing to Education department projects and delivering the Discovery Days summer program for children ages 5-12.

Work will include:

• Becoming familiar with Museum exhibits and educational curriculum in order to represent and add to visitor experiences in a multitude of ways
• Researching and designing new or updating existing curriculum for youth summer program participants
• Collaborating on the promotion, organization and delivery of summer programming
• Contributing to Museum programs & events as an ambassador of the Education team

Required Skills/Qualifications:

• Enjoy working with children (of a variety of ages and abilities) in small groups
• Some experience working in an educational/instructional setting
• Flexibility and ability to adapt plans to suit the needs of individual learners
• Comfortable and familiar with youth-oriented art, craft, performing arts, and outdoor activities
• Study in education, museum studies, or public history preferred
• At least 16 years of age
• Flexible hours with the ability to work occasional evenings and weekends required

Reports to: Education Manager

Number of Positions Available: 2 part-time (20 hours per week)

Stipend Amount: $3,000

Marketing and Executive Support Fellow

This fellowship is designed for someone who is organized, adaptable, and excited to gain hands-on experience across marketing, communications, and Museum operations while working closely with senior leadership. This role is approximately 50% marketing support and 50% executive and administrative support, with opportunities to assist across departments as needed. They will work closely with the Museum’s Marketing team and Executive Director, supporting day-to-day operations while also jumping in where help is needed — from events and education programming to social media and on-site logistics.

Marketing & Communications Responsibilities:

• Assist with the creation and scheduling of marketing and promotional materials, including emails, social media posts, signage, and basic graphic assets
• Support promotion of Museum programs, events, exhibitions, and fundraising initiatives
• Help maintain content calendars and assist with administrative marketing tasks
• Capture photos or short videos at events and programs as needed
• Assist with distributing signage, updating displays, and on-site promotional setup

Executive & Administrative Support Responsibilities:

• Provide administrative support to the Executive Director, including scheduling assistance, document preparation, and internal coordination
• Assist with preparation for meetings, events, and Board-related activities
• Support internal communication and organizational tasks across departments
• Help with general office operations and project coordination

Events & On-Site Support:

• Assist with planning and execution of Museum programs, public events, and fundraising activities, including exhibit openings, lectures, and community events
• Support programming and education activities as needed
• Help with event setup and breakdown, guest check-in, and general on-site support
• Represent the Museum in a friendly, professional manner at public-facing programs

Required Skills/Qualifications:

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Clear written and verbal communication skills
• Comfort working in a fast-paced, collaborative environment
• Interest in marketing, communications, nonprofit work, museums, or similar
• Familiarity with Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, or similar design platforms is a plus
• Flexible and willing to help as needed — including occasional evenings and weekends

Reports to: Managing Director

Number of Positions Available: 1 part-time (30 hours per week)

Stipend Amount: $5,000

Oral History Fellow

Working closely with museum staff, the Oral History Fellow will gain hands-on experience in all aspects of MVM's oral history program while helping to preserve and share the diverse voices of Martha's Vineyard's community.

Work will include:

• Research and interview preparation
• Conducting and recording oral history interviews with community members
• Processing and archiving oral histories according to museum standards
• Assisting in curating oral histories for museum exhibits, social media, and radio

Required Skills/Qualifications:

• Strong interest in oral history, public history, or community-based research
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Attention to detail and organizational abilities
• Comfort with technology and willingness to learn new equipment
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively

Reports to: Oral History Curator

Number of Positions Available: 1 part-time (20 hours per week)

Stipend Amount: $3,000

Programming Fellow

The programming fellowship is perfect for someone passionate about program and event management. The Museum's summer calendar begins with our annual gala, and is full of exhibit openings, lectures, author talks, music, and more. The ideal candidate is proactive, able to think ahead, and consistently anticipate departmental needs. We can’t wait to work with you.

Work will include:

• Assisting with the planning and execution of all of the Museum’s summer’s programs and events
• Tracking information in shared Excel tracking sheets and calendars to ensure event details are up to date
• Coordinating and executing wild posting efforts around the island
• Designing and leading a program at the Museum

Required Skills/Qualifications:

• Strong organizational skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Comfort in social situations and the ability to communicate well verbally
• Familiarity with Canva, or other graphic design platforms helpful
• Good writing skills a plus
• Flexible hours with the ability to work evenings and weekends required.

Reports to: Director of Programming & Audience Engagement

Number of Positions Available: 1 full-time (40 hours per week)

Stipend Amount: $7,400

Application Process and Fellowship Timing

Fellowships will commence on or after June 8, 2026. All fellows are asked to work until mid-August or ten weeks from start date, to be confirmed with their supervisors. Fellows’ schedules are to be arranged between individual fellows and their supervisors, and each department has their own requirements.

Along with the tasks assigned by their supervisor, fellows will be asked to participate in several organizational events and perform a number of organizational duties.

• Attend all fellow meetings and training sessions.
• Assist Museum staff in the Evening of Discovery summer gala on June 27, 2026.

To be considered for a summer fellowship, you must submit a complete application to MVM by March 1, 2026. Additional information and application link can be found at mvmuseum.org/fellowships.

A completed application package includes:

• Application Form
• Cover Letter
• Resume
• Two Letters of Recommendation
• A One Page Writing Sample (for marketing and executive support fellow applicants only). This can be any writing done for a college class, job, internship, etc. You do not need to create a new writing sample for the purpose of this application.

Programming position is for 10 weeks, working 40 hours per week.

Marketing and Executive Support position is for 10 weeks, working 30 hours per week.

Education and Oral History positions are for 10 weeks, working 20 hours per week.