Opportunities
Request for Qualifications
Atwater Kent Collection and Pearlstein Gallery
91Ƭ’sAtwater Kent CollectionԻPearlstein Galleryare announcing a Request for Qualifications fororperforming artists and writersto develop a projectbased onartifacts from the Atwater Kent Collectionrelated to manufacturing and industry.
A shortlistselected from theapplicants will beawarded$to develop a proposalfor aproject, culminating in a public presentation or exhibition at Pearlstein Gallery.The date for completion of the project is fundingdependent,butslated forWinter 2029, withsubstantialproject developmentlikely takingplace in 2028
Applicants shouldincludea resumeandup to 3 links toprojects whichdemonstratea commitment toat leastoneof thesetopics:
- HistoryԻa research-based practice
- Thecrossover between crafts/trades and artand/orthesubject ofindustry ortrades(including but not limited to woodworking, textiles, paper hanging, printing, sign painting, machinery, electronics).
Applicants should alsosubmita brief one paragraph statement of interest whichsummarizesthe applicant’sinterest in and/or past commitment to the above topics.
Please send submissions togallery@drexel.eduwith the subject line “AKC – RFQ”byMonday,March16at 9am.
This application is open to artists within a90-mile radius of Philadelphia.
the :
DrexelUniversityis stewarding the Atwater Kent Collection (AKC)asa “museum without walls” for research, interpretiveand educational use.TheAKC isthe collection of the former Philadelphia History Museum,which closed in 2018.Drexelis continuingthe mission oftheformerMuseum:collecting, preserving, and interpretingover133,000+items,reflecting 350 years of Philadelphia and American history.
TheCollectionincludesapproximately35,000objects(paintings, sculpture, furniture, clothing, etc.),51,000 photographs, and 47,000 archival items(prints, drawings, manuscripts, sheet music, posters, etc),acquiredthrough purchase, gift, bequest, and transfer—many donated by local individuals and institutions.Alongside celebrated portraits and history paintings are objects related toPhiladelphia’s industrial community(documenting the city’s role as “Workshop of the World”),and ephemera from the Centennial andsubsequentnational anniversaries, as well as objects related to the Civil War. Strengths include material representing: the Museum’s earliest acquisitions (including a maritime focus, and WPA material), the eclectic collections it absorbed, national celebrations, development of the city and civic history, sports, salvaged material and relics, manufacturing and retail (especially 19th and early 20th century), and art and music.
Work Study
Drexel students with Federal Work Study funds can apply to work at the Pearlstein Gallery. Our staff gains an understanding of the day-to-day work of supporting a contemporary art organization through hands-on professional experience. From visitor services to graphic design, we offer a range of projects that are an asset to our staff members’ professional development. The ideal candidate is an outgoing self-starter with a passion for arts. In addition to daily responsibilities, our team-members have the opportunity to attend and staff a range of special programs at the gallery. With rotating exhibitions, film screenings, dance performances, writing workshops and more, the Leonard Pearlstein Gallery is a great place to work on campus.
If interested, please provide a cover letter expressing your interest and a current resume.
Volunteer
If you are not a Federal Work-Study student and would like to get involved, The Leonard Pearlstein Gallery welcomes any matriculated Drexel student as a volunteer! Volunteers may take on a variety of tasks dependent on their skill-set and interests. Hours can be extremely flexible. Some volunteer responsibilities include:
- Monitoring the gallery
- Ushering special events and performances
- Distributing promotional materials
- Data collection
Have a skill you would like to share? We design special projects for volunteers too! Please contact the gallery for more information.