#  Dumbarton Oaks Wintersession in DC: Cultural Philanthropy in the Museum Space 

 



####  calendar\_today Date and Time 

 **November 15, 2025** 

 All day 

 



 

[More information here.](https://www.doaks.org/research/harvard-programs/wintersession)

**Course Leaders:** [Professor Thomas Cummins](https://www.doaks.org/page-purgatory/thomas-b-f-cummins) and [**Dr. Yota Batsaki**](https://www.doaks.org/page-purgatory/yota-batsaki)

**Are you a Harvard student interested in exploring new fields or contemplating a future career in the cultural, humanities, and the nonprofit sector?** This week-long Wintersession course introduces students to the history, influence, and debates surrounding philanthropy with a focus on the museum space. In dialogue with leaders in the field, the course also introduces students to future careers and the behind-the-scenes workings of cultural institutions. Expand your network and open a world of opportunities by connecting with and hearing from the top leaders in the Washington D.C museum sphere and from experts in the Dumbarton Oaks community.

We are living in a second Gilded Age where the explosion of private wealth in tandem with growing social inequality enables philanthropists to exert tremendous influence. In the United States, private giving supports vital sectors and causes, from education and the arts to the environment, science, and human rights. Philanthropy also shapes public opinion and government policy, ultimately influencing the provision of public goods in a democratic society. An understanding of the power and reach of philanthropy is therefore an important component of citizenship. Few places are better suited to this exploration than Dumbarton Oaks: a Harvard research institute, museum, and historic garden gifted to the University in 1940 and located in the nation’s capital.

**Site visits in the past have included:**

- National Museum of African American History and Culture
- Kreeger Museum
- Glenstone Museum
- Smithsonian Museum of American History
- George Washington University Textile Museum
- National Museum of Natural History

**All students will be expected to:**

- Complete required course readings
- Participate in all lectures and site visits
- Contribute a social media post to the Dumbarton Oaks communications team

**Dumbarton Oaks will provide:**

- Shared campus accommodations
- Weekday lunches
- Transportation to and from site visits

**Dumbarton Oaks has partnered with a travel agency to arrange and pre-pay for participants’ air or rail travel, in accordance with the Dumbarton Oaks Travel Policy. Successful applicants will receive booking information upon acceptance of the offer.**

Currently enrolled Harvard undergraduate and graduate students are eligible to apply. Interested candidates should submit the following application materials to the [Embark platform](https://dumbarton.embark.com/apply/wintersession) by November 15:

- Résumé or CV
- A one-page statement detailing your interest in cultural philanthropy and how this program supports your academic and/or career goals
- Contact information for one recommender. The recommender will receive instructions for uploading their letter directly to our application platform by the November 15 deadline.



 

 



 

 See also:- [ Undergraduate ](/academics/undergraduate)
 
 

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