US: AR Fayetteville Curation Literacy (IFR)

Location: Fayetteville, AR, USA

Session Dates: June 14–July 17, 2026

Application Deadline: March 1, 2026

Deadline Type: Rolling

Website: https://ifrglobal.org/program/us-ar-fayetteville-curation/

Program Type:
Field School

RPA Certified:
No

Affiliation:
Institute for Field Research (IFR), and University of Arkansas System Arkansas Archaeological Survey

Project Director:
Dr. Michelle Rathgaber and Sarah Shepard

Project Description:

Join an award-winning field school that’s training the next generation of professionals in curation, museum studies, and archaeological collections management. Based at the Arkansas Archeological Survey’s collections facility in Fayetteville, this four week program gives you the rare opportunity to work directly with archaeological artifacts and documents while contributing to a statewide initiative to modernize and digitize collections. You’ll help rehabilitate and document materials from a 1990s excavation in southwest Arkansas, including artifacts from the Caddo Nation and earlier occupations. Students not only gain experience in preserving, cataloging, and sharing archaeological resources but also learn from Caddo Nation representatives firsthand about the ethical responsibilities of archaeological work.

Field school highlights:

• Develop a diverse skillset in cataloging, digital database entry, 3D modeling, and public engagement.
• Help make a collection of artifacts accessible digitally and physically, bringing them up to current curation standards.
• Deepen your experience with field trips to excavation sites, Caddo cultural landmarks, and regional museum collections.

Period(s) of Occupation: Various, Museum Studies, Curation

Project Size: 1-24 participants

Minimum Length of Stay for Volunteers: Students are expected to stay the full length of the program.

Minimum Age: 18

Experience Required: None

Room and Board Arrangements:
Students will be staying at the dorms on the University of Arkansas – Fayetteville campus. The dorms will provide single rooms within 4 person suites. Each student will have their own, lockable room; 2 students will share a bathroom in each wing of the suite; and there is a shared public area in the center. Meals: Students will have breakfast and dinner provided to them at the cafeteria on campus near the dorms during weekdays. Staff will join them for dinner a couple of nights each week. The cafeteria serves food buffet style and provides an assortment of different foods for each meal. They can also accommodate most dietary restrictions. On weekends the cafeteria provides brunch and dinner and will be open to field school students. (All of these meals are included in the cost of tuition) Lunch during the week will be sandwiches/salads/chips/etc. put together by students from supplies kept in the refrigerator in the break room at the CO. Staff and students will put together a shopping list and go 1-2x per week to the grocery store to pick up supplies as needed. (These costs are included in tuition)

Academic Credit:
8 semester (12 quarter)