Processing Archivist - Art History (3-Year Grant-Funded)

MoMA; New York (NY); On-site; CAD 84,000 - 112,000; Full time

Job summary

The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City is advertising two Assistant Archivist positions in its Archives, Library and Research Collections Department. These are three-year fixed-term, grant-funded roles processing MoMA Exhibition Records (2001–2010).

Responsibilities include surveying collections, researching materials, drafting processing plans, and preserving and organizing items, as well as assisting with reference work and daily operations of the department.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required. Background in art history and a MLIS or master’s degree with certificate in archival studies strongly preferred.
• One to three years experience processing archival collections according to standard archival standards and practices; research in art history.
• Demonstrated knowledge of twentieth- and twenty-first century art, art historical reference sources, and other related research material.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills. Detail oriented with ability to organize and prioritize tasks to meet deadlines.
• Ability to lift 30 pounds and to reach high and low shelves.

Responsibilities

• Surveys the collections to be processed.
• Conducts preliminary research on the materials, compiling and reviewing existing descriptions of the material.
• Drafts a processing plan, in conjunction with the Metadata and Systems staff, determining and acquiring necessary archival supplies.
• Processes the collection in keeping with standard professional guidelines.
• Performs basic preservation tasks, such as removing staples and paperclips, sleeving delicate items within mylar, etc. and implementing other conservation measures as necessary.
• Re-files and re-boxes the collection in acid-free housing and labels the containers
• creating and encoding detailed finding aids with context and related collections.
• Assists with reference activities of the department.
• Performs any other duties reasonably related to the functions described above or daily operations.

Skills

Archives processing

Research in art history

Team orientation

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree

MLIS or archival studies certificate

Art history background

Tools

ArchivesSpace

EAD

MARC cataloging

Job description

The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City is advertising two Assistant Archivist positions in its Archives, Library and Research Collections Department. These are three-year fixed-term, grant-funded roles processing MoMA Exhibition Records (2001–2010).

Responsibilities include surveying collections, researching materials, drafting processing plans, and preserving and organizing items, as well as assisting with reference work and daily operations of the department.