Architectural Research Fellow

The Dream Center Historic Preservation Design Fellowship

Program Overview

The Dream Center Historic Preservation Design Fellowship is a hands-on educational and professional development initiative centered around a historic landmark restoration project on Chicago’s West Side.

The fellowship provides emerging creatives, designers, preservationists, architects, and storytellers with real-world experience working on a historically significant restoration project focused on preservation, culture, storytelling, family, and community revitalization.

Fellows will gain hands-on exposure to:

• Historic preservation and adaptive reuse
• Architectural research and restoration planning
• Cultural storytelling and preservation documentation
• Community-centered design
• Real-world project collaboration
• Media and documentary-style production support

The fellowship operates under The Dream Center umbrella and supports the ongoing restoration and storytelling surrounding a historic preservation initiative in Chicago.

Architectural Research & Preservation Fellow

Position Overview

The Architectural Research & Preservation Fellow will support the historical and architectural research efforts connected to a historic landmark restoration initiative on Chicago’s West Side.

This role is ideal for individuals passionate about architecture, preservation, urban history, cultural storytelling, and the protection of historically significant spaces. Fellows will assist with research, documentation, visual references, and preservation-focused storytelling tied to the restoration process.

Responsibilities

• Research Prairie School and historic architectural references
• Assist with preservation and restoration research
• Compile historical documentation and visual references
• Support archival and landmark-related research efforts
• Assist with storytelling surrounding the project’s architectural and cultural significance
• Organize project research materials and digital archives
• Support project presentations and preservation narratives
• Assist with sourcing historical imagery and reference materials

Ideal Background

• Architecture students or graduates
• Historic Preservation students
• Urban Planning students
• History or Museum Studies students
• Emerging researchers with interest in preservation and restoration work

Skills Preferred

• Strong research and organizational skills
• Attention to detail
• Strong written communication skills
• Interest in architecture, preservation, and cultural history
• Ability to organize visual and historical information
• Familiarity with Canva, Adobe Suite, Google Workspace, or presentation tools preferred

Fellowship Benefits

Participants may receive:

• Real-world experience on a historic restoration project
• Portfolio-building opportunities
• Professional mentorship
• Exposure to preservation and development industries
• Networking opportunities
• Media and storytelling experience
• Hands-on project collaboration
• Potential public recognition and project feature opportunities

Compensation Structure

Eligible fellows between the ages of 18–24 may qualify for hourly compensation through a workforce development grant program at a rate of $16 per hour for up to 20 hours per week.

Fellows who do not qualify under grant eligibility guidelines may still be selected to participate in the fellowship program and may receive a project-based stipend, professional mentorship, portfolio-building opportunities, and hands-on experience working on a historic Chicago restoration initiative.

Time Commitment

• Part-Time Fellowship
• Up to 20 hours per week
• Flexible scheduling available
• Fellowship term to be discussed during interview process