Call for Scholarship

The Delaware Humanities Forum, a state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, is actively seeking a scholar to participate in a Smithsonian Traveling Exhibition to arrive in Delaware in 2008. Through a partnership with the Federation of State Humanities Council and the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Services (SITES), the Delaware Humanities Forum is sponsoring a touring exhibit titled Between Fences.

A byproduct of the cooperative efforts of these organizations, this exhibition is intended to celebrate the heritage of small-town America. The selected venues for this program will be organizations in rural or small towns—often times historical societies, small museums, or arts organizations. This initiative was created to invigorate and celebrate the cultural treasures of our small communities.

Between Fences investigates the social ramifications of physical boundaries and land demarcations as they have played a part in defining our world today. Often times, we hardly notice these simple structures, but they are dominant features in our lives and in our history. Fences play an integral part in our agricultural economy, political atmosphere, architecture and landscape design, and social history. The United States as we know it could not have been settled and built without fences and these structures will certainly engage debate in our future.

This exhibition will arrive in Delaware in 2008 and will tour the state in five different venues. Each venue will develop subsequent programming and exhibitions in conjunction with Between Fences and scholarly participation is essential for the success of this exhibit. The chosen scholar will work with each venue as well as the Delaware Humanities Forum to develop and implement programs associated with Between Fences.  Each venue will have direct ownership of the exhibit and will include ancillary material to express the unique history and experience of each community. The work of the scholar during the tour may manifest in a variety of forms; scholars can create lectures, symposia, or author educational material. The Scholar will work hand-in-hand with the state coordinator in creating effective programming and resources.

Requirements
Between Fences focuses on many different disciplines. Interested participants should have a background in one of the following disciplines:

• Architecture or Landscape Design
• Material Culture
• Agriculture
• Anthropology
• Political Science
• American History
• History of Delaware or the Mid-Atlantic Region

The Delaware Humanities Forum is not limiting applicants to these disciplines. Fences have played an important part in many fields of humanist thought including literature, poetry, and folk life. Applicants are encouraged to incorporate their academic background in any way that appropriately expresses the social nature of fences and barriers.

A Master’s Degree in one of the recommended fields is required, PhD preferred (or in the process of obtaining post-doctorate). The candidate should have a proven record of published scholarship or a strong background in written communications. This position entails a high degree public interaction and the candidate must be willing to address communities and engage them to interact with the exhibit.

An honorarium will be paid to the chosen scholar to compensate all work associated with Between Fences.

Interested individuals should contact the Delaware Humanities Forum at (302) 657-0650 or email John J. Van Heest, Jr., Between Fences State Coordinator at jvh@dhf.org