Postdoctoral Fellowship – Italian Traveling Art Exhibitions in Brazil and South America (1948–1978).

The Thematic Project Geopolíticas institucionais: arte em disputa nas mostras internacionais circulantes no Brasil (1948–1978) [Institutional Geopolitics: Art in Dispute in International Traveling Exhibitions in Brazil (1948–1978)] developed at the Institute of the Arts at UNICAMP under the coordination of Professor Maria de Fátima Morethy Couto, in partnership with EACH/USP and UNIFESP, and funded by FAPESP (Grant No. 2022/12333-3), is offering one (1) postdoctoral fellowship for a scholar with a strong research background in the field of Art History and Criticism. The postdoctoral research will focus on Italian traveling art exhibitions in Brazil and South America (1948–1978) and will have a duration of 24 months. The fellowship will be carried out at the Institute of the Arts at UNICAMP (Rua Elis Regina, 50 – Cidade Universitária - Zeferino Vaz, Campinas - SP, 13083-854).
This postdoctoral research will aim to analyze the dynamics at play in Italian traveling art exhibitions held between 1948 and 1978 in Brazil and South America, with particular attention to those presented in museums. It seeks to study the network of artistic exchanges established between Brazil and Italy to promote modern and contemporary art in its various forms and expressions (painting, sculpture, graphic arts, design, etc.). The project will also examine the differences and similarities between the network formed in the postwar period and that which operated during the interwar years, incorporating data from previous research conducted in Brazil on the subject It will aim to map the exhibitions, trace their itineraries, and identify the agents involved—artists, curators, critics, and diplomats—on both sides. The research will analyze the artistic circuits that were established, as well as investigate the tensions, cooptation, and forms of agency among these multiple social actors, along with the public reception of the exhibitions.
With regard to methodology, the research will follow the same guidelines as the overarching Thematic Project, which focuses on discussing the relevance of international exhibitions in Brazil and South America—specifically in this case, the Italian traveling art exhibitions held between 1948 and 1978. The fellow will be responsible for mapping the exhibitions and identifying and analyzing the curators, artists, artworks, and agents involved in their organization. The study will be conducted through research based on both primary and secondary sources, including exhibition catalogs, the websites of organizing institutions, and readings on the political and artistic contexts of the period, in order to understand and contextualize the dynamics at play. Given the nature of the documentation to be consulted, the researcher must be proficient in Italian and English, in addition to Portuguese.

Specific Objectives:
• Map the Italian traveling art exhibitions held between 1948 and 1978 in Brazil and South America, with particular attention to those presented in museum institutions, based on lists provided by museums as well as extensive research in period newspapers and magazines.
• Identify the curators, artists, and social agents involved in their organization.
• Investigate the itineraries of the exhibitions and, where possible, identify recurring artworks.
• Examine the critical reception of these exhibitions in the cities that hosted them, through research in newspapers and magazines.
• Understand the political and diplomatic dimensions of the selected exhibitions.
• Highlight parallel activities associated with the selected traveling exhibitions, such as lectures and interviews with curators, courses, and seminars.
• Identify and analyze the aesthetic and artistic debates embedded in these exhibitions.

3. Planned Activities
• Contribute to the development of the project’s database, with emphasis on metadata indexing procedures.
• Participate in the regular activities of the Thematic Project.
• Take part in academic events with publication of proceedings.
• Present preliminary research findings at international workshops and seminars organized by the Thematic Project team.
• Publish at least one (1) article related to the research in a peer-reviewed journal in the field and contribute to the collective volume to be edited by the project team.
• Collaborate in a graduate-level course within the Visual Arts Graduate Program (PPG Artes Visuais) at UNICAMP through seminars focused on the postdoctoral research topic.
• Prepare and submit the annual research reports required by FAPESP.

4. Eligibility Requirements
• Hold a doctoral degree in a field related to the project, obtained in Brazil or abroad, no more than seven years prior.
• Have an excellent overall academic background and an excellent graduate transcript.
• Demonstrate strong research potential through the accomplishments listed in the Súmula Curricular (academic bio), preferably including prior publications related to the project's subject matter.
• Be available to begin research activities as of September 1, 2025, subject to possible delays if FAPESP has not completed the fellowship approval process by that date.
• Dedicate full time and exclusively to the activities outlined in the Postdoctoral Project. (This is a requirement of the Postdoctoral Researcher Program—PPPD-Unicamp—which the selected candidate must formally join in order to carry out the postdoctoral fellowship at UNICAMP. See Paragraph 5, Section I of Article 3 of the regulation: https://www.pg.unicamp.br/norma/10306/1)

5. Applications
Applicants interested in participating in the selection process must submit the following documents via email to: cpgiaunicamp.br, with the subject line: “Inscrição Pós-Doutorado FAPESP Exposições circulantes de arte italiana – nome completo do interessado” [Postdoctoral Application FAPESP Italian Traveling Art Exhibitions – Full Name of Applicant]
• Súmula Curricular in the current format required by FAPESP (https://fapesp.br/sumula), highlighting in the “Other Relevant Information” section the applicant’s scientific output related to the scope of this call, as well as international research experience (short- and long-term research stays and participation in collaborations).
• Proof of completion of a doctoral degree in a field related to this call (such as a diploma, certificate of completion, or thesis defense record).
• A letter (maximum 3 pages) stating the applicant’s interest in the fellowship, including a brief overview of their experience in the field of art history, previous fellowships received, participation in collaborative projects, and research experience in national and international archives.
• A copy of one scholarly publication, selected by the applicant.
The deadline for submitting applications is 11:59 p.m. (Brasília time) on June 16, 2025.
Each document must be attached individually in PDF format and named using the applicant’s full name followed by the document type. For example: “Maria José Silva Certificate of Doctoral Completion.” The body of the email must include the applicant’s full name, address, and contact phone number. The subject line must read: “Postdoctoral Application FAPESP Italian Traveling Art Exhibitions – [Full Name of Applicant].”
Candidates will be invited to an online interview with the project coordinator and two members of the Thematic Project team, in order to assess the alignment of their areas of expertise with the research themes of the project.
The position is open to both Brazilian and foreign applicants. In the case of foreign applicants, it is their responsibility to verify and obtain the necessary documentation for entry and residence in Brazil, through the Brazilian Consulate nearest to their place of residence.
The selected candidate must reside in the state of São Paulo once the fellowship is awarded and dedicate themselves exclusively to the research project.
The implementation of the fellowship is subject to the approval of the selected candidate by FAPESP. Applicants must be familiar with the guidelines, forms, and procedures established by FAPESP for this type of grant when applying to this public call.
If the decision is approved by FAPESP, the selected candidate will receive a monthly fellowship in the amount of R$ 12,000.00. A technical reserve equivalent to 10% of the annual value of the fellowship will be provided to cover expenses directly related to the research activities of the Thematic Project.
Further information about the FAPESP Postdoctoral Fellowship and the agency’s guidelines for this type of grant is available at www.fapesp.br/bolsas/pd.
This postdoctoral selection process will remain valid for six (6) months. If the first selected candidate does not take up the position, the next candidate on the approved list may be nominated.

6. Timeline
• Application period: May 26, 2025 to June 16, 2025 (until 11:59 p.m.)
• Announcement of accepted applications on the Visual Arts Graduate Program website: by June 27, 2025
• Appeals period (a letter justifying the appeal must be sent to cpgiaunicamp.br): until July 1, 2025
• Response to appeals (via email to the applicant): by July 4, 2025
• Online interviews via Google Meet (time to be announced): from July 7 to July 11, 2025
• Announcement of results on the Visual Arts Graduate Program website: July 14, 2025 (https://www.iar.unicamp.br/pos-doutorado/processo-seletivo/)
• Expected start of activities: September 1, 2025, subject to completion of the procedures and requirements set by FAPESP (https://fapesp.br/bolsas/pd) and the agency’s final approval of the selected candidate.
Note: It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure the necessary conditions for a stable internet connection and appropriate equipment for participating in the online interview. The selection committee bears no responsibility for technical issues or delays on the part of applicants during the interview process.