About Peabody Essex Museum
Organization
Situated in the historic city of Salem, Massachusetts, the Peabody Essex Museum (PEM) is a premier cultural institution renowned for its diverse collection, engaging exhibitions, and innovative programs. PEM celebrates outstanding artistic and cultural creativity by collecting, stewarding, and interpreting objects of art and culture in ways that increase knowledge, enrich the spirit, engage the mind, and stimulate the senses through its exhibitions, programs, publications, media, and related activities. Founded in 1799, PEM is one of the oldest and most distinguished museums in the United States. PEM has firmly established itself as a hub of artistic and cultural exploration, attracting visitors from around the world. PEM aspires to create experiences that transform people's lives by broadening their perspectives, attitudes, and knowledge of themselves and the wider world. It houses an extensive collection of art and cultural artifacts, spanning continents and centuries. PEM's collection encompasses American, Native American, Asian, Oceanic, Maritime, African, and European art, as well as historic houses and grounds and the Phillips Library.
PEM is globally recognized, welcoming between 165,000 to 170,000 visitors annually. A pioneer in the acquisition, relocation, restoration, and interpretation of historic environments, PEM hosts more than 20 pre-Civil War buildings, including four National Historic Landmarks and many listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Yin Yu Tang, a 200-year-old Chinese house brought to the States and re-erected on PEM’s Salem campus, is housed adjacent to the museum. Current notable exhibitions include Studio Glass, a diverse selection of contemporary glass representing the work of more than 40 of the most influential glass artists from the 20th century to today, and On This Ground: Being and Belonging in America, a landmark ongoing installation that brings together the Native American, American and American Decorative Art in rich dialogue on the history of Native America and U.S. history. PEM houses the oldest ongoing collection of Native American art & culture in the Western Hemisphere. Beyond stewarding the collection through exhibitions and publications, PEM fosters and advances the next generation of Native American leaders in the cultural sector through the Native American Fellowship (NAF) program.
The Native American Fellowship program emerged more than 15 years ago as part of an Education through Cultural and Historical Organizations grant to fulfill the need of cultivating more Native American museum and cultural heritage professionals. PEM believes extensive, interconnected networks of family, community, and professionals are essential. Fellowships are open to rising graduate students and emerging and in-service cultural professionals, including persons of Native American, Alaska Native, Kānaka Maoli (Native Hawaiian), First Nations, Métis, and Inuit heritage; members of federally recognized tribes, consistent with the distinctions established under federal law. As well, PEM welcome applications from individuals who reside on Native or tribal lands; and artists and scholars whose work and/or study contributes to the artistic traditions, research and preservation of Native American art, culture and history, and who demonstrate consistent commitment through their life and their work to the purpose of the program and the cultural and educational mission of the museum. The program hosts approximately four fellows every summer and two long-term fellows throughout the year.
Lynda Roscoe Hartigan is the Rose-Marie and Eijk van Otterloo Executive Director and CEO. PEM has a 2020-member board of trustees led by Jennifer Borggaard, Chair, and Jeffrey P. Beale, Vice Chair, and a staff size of approximately 250.
Community
Nestled on the scenic North Shore, Salem, Massachusetts, is a vibrant, thriving city that combines rich history with dynamic cultural and economic energy. Just 16 miles north of Boston, Salem offers easy access to world-class universities such as Harvard, MIT, and Boston University, while also serving as home to Salem State University, one of the largest state universities in Massachusetts. The city’s economy is resilient and growing, with stable commercial activity, low downtown vacancy rates, and a diverse, engaged population that contributes to innovation and entrepreneurship. With a population of roughly 44,200, Salem offers both opportunity and an exceptional quality of life.
Salem is a hub for arts and culture. Historic landmarks like the Salem Witch Museum and the House of the Seven Gables draw visitors from around the world. The Salem Theatre Company, and a host of festivals—including the Salem Arts Festival, Jazz & Soul Festival, and Film Festival—showcase the city’s thriving creative scene. Public art, rotating sculpture exhibits, and cultural events continue to invigorate the city’s neighborhoods, creating an inspiring environment for artists and professionals alike.
Designated as a Massachusetts Gateway City, Salem plays a vital role in the economic and cultural life of the North Shore, balancing historic preservation with forward-looking revitalization. Walkable neighborhoods, vibrant commercial districts, and modern placemaking initiatives make the city a welcoming, engaging place to live and work. With its unique mix of history, innovation, and proximity to Boston’s academic and professional sectors, Salem offers an ideal setting for creative, civic-minded professionals looking to make an impact while enjoying a rich, fulfilling lifestyle.
Source: beau.gov; salemma.gov; northshorealliance.org
