Video Archive & Digital Collections Manager

School of the Art Institute of Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) invites applications for the Archive + Collection Manager of the Video Data Bank (VDB). This onsite role supports the curatorial, instructional, access, and distribution functions, overseeing physical and digital collections, storage, and preservation.

You will collaborate with SAIC faculty, students, and external partners to ensure high-quality access, digitization, and distribution of media art assets, while supervising student workers and

Qualifications

• ALA-accredited graduate degree in Library and/or Information Science or a related field with substantial relevant experience working with media archives.
• Four plus years experience with and knowledge of best practices and (technologies or systems) for digitization, preservation, and reformatting workflows related to media collections.
• Commitment to the educational mission of the School and demonstrated knowledge of accessibility, diversity, and inclusion; ability to work with diverse populations.
• Deep and demonstrable knowledge of preservation theory and practices for all video formats.
• Knowledge of basic metadata and cataloging schema for moving image/video collections
• Demonstrated knowledge in identifying, handling, and inspecting video in all formats
• Experience with digital video editing, file transcoding, and preparing video files for exhibition and screening environments.

Responsibilities

• Manages all aspects of collections management, access, and preservation.
• Maintains intellectual control of the collection through databases and other collection management resources; ensures the storage and maintenance of all equipment and infrastructure related to collections and space storage needs--for both physical and digital collections.
• Ensures preservation of the collection and migration from obsolete and degrading tape formats; and digitization of analog collections.
• In coordination with the Distribution Manager works to ensure SAIC faculty and external client orders are fulfilled in a timely manner--this includes both physical and digital formats and processes.
• Collaborates with the VDB team and artists to acquire high-quality masters, and process files for distribution; manages the processing and intake of new work into the collection; works with artists to acquire better copies of old masters.
• Processes digital files for distribution and archival purposes, ensure high-quality access to the VDB's collection.
• Responsible for creating and providing still images for publication and promotional needs as part of the distribution program
• Coordinates class visits as well as onsite screening room access for students, researchers, and general public.
• Ensures information about collections, artists, and artworks are accurate and up-to-date on the VDB website. Creates website pages for artworks.
• Manages and organizes storage for physical media, VDB promotional materials, equipment, and general office supplies.
• Oversees facilities needs regarding the VDB office and storage spaces.
• Oversight of the maintenance and repair schedule and the acquisition and installation of new equipment. Performs basic maintenance and repairs to equipment. Planning acquisition of new equipment.
• Responsible for recruiting, training, scheduling, and supervision of student workers.
• Manages paper archives related to the video art collection
• Contributes to project planning and the development of policies and procedures for the VDB, as needed.
• Works closely and independently with SAIC faculty and students to support their research and teaching needs.
• Represents VDB in the external media arts and special collections communities, maintains strong working relationships with colleagues at other specialized resource centers within and outside of the School of Art Institute.

Skills

Digitization workflows

Preservation theory

Metadata & cataloging

Digital video editing

File transcoding

Team supervision

Education

ALA-accredited graduate degree in Library and/or Information Science

Tools

Video editing software

Metadata management tools

Archival databases

Job description

School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) invites applications for the Archive + Collection Manager of the Video Data Bank (VDB). This onsite role supports the curatorial, instructional, access, and distribution functions, overseeing physical and digital collections, storage, and preservation.

You will collaborate with SAIC faculty, students, and external partners to ensure high-quality access, digitization, and distribution of media art assets, while supervising student workers and