Elisabeth Luce Moore '24 Fellowship at the National Palace Museum in Taipei (seniors & graduates)
Campus Application Deadline: February 18, 2025
The Elisabeth Luce Moore '24 Wellesley-Yenching Graduate Fellowship at the National Palace Museum in Taipei, Taiwan, is a one-year, full-time position and an extraordinary opportunity available to Wellesley College seniors and graduates* thanks to a long-standing arrangement between the college and the National Palace Museum (NPM). In 1999, Wellesley received a generous grant from the Henry Luce Foundation which in part was used to endow and expand this fellowship. The grant was made to honor Elisabeth Luce Moore '24, in celebration of her 75th reunion year. Beth Moore was born in China and was a strong supporter of the college's ties to Asia.
The National Palace Museum is a world-class museum and a very highly regarded institution, preserving one of the world's great collections of Chinese art. Work at the Museum can be an ideal transition between Wellesley and whatever future direction one pursues. It offers an extraordinary opportunity to study Chinese art and history, as well as culture in contemporary Taiwan, and Fellows have gone on to successful careers in art and museums, but also a wide range of other fields.
*Selection criteria include: proficiency in spoken and written Mandarin Chinese, including reading knowledge of traditional Chinese characters; English-language fluency / native competency; cultural sensitivity and openness to Taiwanese communication styles and sensibilities; an active interest in the work of the Museum, including experience and/or interest in work related to art, museums, gender equity, and/or sustainable development, etc.; ability to work under pressure and complete assignments with tight deadlines; and personal qualities such as maturity and flexibility. Please note that, due to visa restrictions, this fellowship is not open to citizens of the People's Republic of China (but Career Education staff would be very glad to talk over other options for Chinese citizens).
Fellowship Description
Each Fellow’s responsibilities and job description will be determined, to some extent, according to the Museum’s current staffing requirements as well as the fellow’s personal background, skills, and interests. The Fellow will report to the Museum's Department of General Planning, and duties may include (but are not limited to): research and assistance with projects related to Museum planning and initiatives, including Sustainable Development Goals, accessibility, and inclusion; translation and interpretation work (mainly Chinese to English, although Fellows with sufficient fluency may also be asked to translate or interpret from English to Chinese); gallery tours (following successful completion of docent training); and assistance with other designated activities.
The Fellow must typically arrive in Taipei in July so that there will be a period of overlap between the incoming and outgoing Fellows in order to insure a smooth transition.
The Fellow works a five-day week and is entitled to public holidays. Wellesley provides round-trip airfare to Taipei; an annual stipend of $7,500; reimbursement of fees for visa and work papers; as well as a lodging allowance. In addition, Fellows receive a monthly salary from the Museum, and the Museum provides health insurance coverage for the duration of the Fellow’s employment term (however, monthly deductions will be taken from salary to pay for this health insurance).
A Fellow’s term may be extended for a second year by mutual agreement between the Museum, the Fellow, and Wellesley.
Application Information
To apply, before the application deadline submit via the Google form here:
- a statement of interest (2-3 page, double-spaced essay describing your reasons for applying and strengths as a candidate),
- a resume,
- an unofficial copy of your Wellesley transcript (and also copies of any other applicable college/university transcripts, e.g. from a study abroad or transfer institution), and
- a Wellesley Fellowships office signature document (please print, sign & date this form, then submit a scanned pdf or other image of the signed document along with your application materials).
Also: request two letters of reference (one attesting to your academic strengths and another from a member of the Chinese Department certifying your skill in Mandarin Chinese). Please give your recommenders this link to allow them to submit their letters; should they have any difficulty with the online form, please ask them to email their letters to fellowships@wellesley.edu.
Interested Wellesley applicants are warmly encouraged to schedule a Fellowships advising appointment via Handshake to learn more about the Fellowship, get advice and feedback on application materials, and have questions answered. Appointments are available year-round, via telephone and video chat, as well as in person. Cannot find an available appointment? Drop by Fellowships Pop-Up Advising: no appointment required (see our Events listings for details).
Questions?
Email fellowships@wellesley.edu or call Caitlin Roberts-Donovan at 781.283.2347.
