Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible to apply?
- Candidate must be a US citizen or permanent US resident.
- Candidate must have completed their sophomore year at an accredited HBCU college, university, or higher education program by the time of workshop arrival. Candidate must have graduated less than two years prior to the workshop to be eligible.
- Candidate should have an interest in pursuing a career in conservation or allied fields.
- Consideration will be given to candidates who have completed courses in history, art history, anthropology, visual culture, chemistry, studio art, or a combination thereof.
What are the dates of the 2025 workshop?
July 13–18, 2025
Where will the workshop take place?
The workshop will take place in Chicago, Illinois, where the archive is currently being processed.
Will I be responsible for travel costs and arrangements?
No. Travel costs are paid for and arranged by the workshop’s organizers.
Will I be responsible for housing, meals, and ground transportation?
No. Housing, meals, and ground transportation are paid for by the workshop’s organizers.
What else is included?
Participants will receive a $850 stipend and per diem for travel days if applicable.
How do I apply?
Once applications for the year open, the link to apply will be advertised on the workshop webpage. Applicants will be required to provide:
- completed application form
- curriculum vitae (CV)
- short essay describing candidate's interest in the workshop (500 word maximum)
- at least one letter of recommendation from a professor
When can I apply?
The application portal for 2025 opens November 1, 2024.
When will I know if I am selected as a participant?
Acceptance letters will be sent via email by March 1, 2025.
What is the selection criteria?
- Academic excellence
- Interest in the conservation and preservation of cultural heritage
- Affinity for manual work
- Interest in art and science
- Interest in photography
- Interest in African American history and culture
Is the workshop full time?
Yes. The workshop’s duration is one week, and the workshop schedule is 9am to 5pm. It is not compatible with other commitments, including remote jobs. Students are expected to arrive two days in advance of the workshop to engage in cultural visits in Chicago.
What is the workshop outcome?
You will learn about what careers in conservation and allied professions look like and what the pathways are to enter these job sectors. If at the conclusion of the workshop you are interested in pursuing a career in preservation, you will be given the opportunity to be mentored by professionals to navigate the next steps.
What is the Johnson Publishing Company Archive?
From the early 1940s to the present day, the Johnson Publishing Company (JPC) produced the iconic magazines Ebony and Jet, alongside other periodicals and outputs. The archive of the company includes over 4 million images taken for the magazines and documenting the Black experience throughout the 20th century.
Who are the workshop's organizers?
The workshop is organized by the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) and the Getty Research Institute (GRI), who are the co-stewards of the Johnson Publishing Company archive.