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The Chinati Foundation/La Fundación Chinati is a contemporary art museum in Marfa, Texas, based upon the ideas of its founder, Donald Judd. The specific intention of Chinati is to preserve and present to the public permanent large-scale installations by a select group of artists. The emphasis is on works in which art, architecture, and the surrounding land are inextricably linked.
In 2019, Chinati will launch a major new initiative focused on establishing a formal, well-researched, and well-organized archive. To undertake this initiative, Chinati seeks an experienced Archivist with a demonstrated commitment to preserving historical records, to identify, process, and make accessible to the public Chinati’s institutional and collection archives. Materials include project and administrative files, correspondence, historic fort documentation, photographs, film and audio materials, and various ephemera. This newly created two-year position, fully funded by a grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, will report to the Director of the museum and supervise a research fellowship.
The two-year, full-time Archivist position will be based at the Chinati Foundation in Marfa, Texas. Occasional travel will be required, including to sites with significant Judd holdings.
Responsibilities
Survey all archive related materials
Work collaboratively with senior staff to draft a Mission Statement for the archives, and recommend: processing and description procedures; priority of processing; collecting policy; acquisitions procedures; access and use policy for staff and researchers; policies and procedures for destruction of non-archival records; and guidance on digital asset management
Identifies, arranges, processes and re-houses collection materials;
Targets specific aspects for in-depth research
Identifies conservation concerns and performs basic preservation practices
Coordinates the physical consolidation of the archives in storage facilities located at Chinati, working with Chinati staff to address current and future facilities’ needs
Creates and logs information into database system in keeping with identified content standards
Creates appropriate finding aids and provisions for archival access;
Ensures that Chinati’s archives adhere to professional ethics and best practices and appropriate access and use parameters
Provides management and supervision to the Mellon-sponsored research Fellow
May be requested to write, present or speak about work activities and project developments
Other duties as assigned
Requirements
Master’s degree in Library and Information Sciences or Archival Studies from an accredited institution, with a specialization in archival studies or special collections.
Prior professional experience related to performing above listed responsibilities.
Knowledge and understanding of professional principles and best practices, e.g., context, provenance, original order, evidence, and digitization.
Working knowledge of museum archives, and library collections management systems, and web content management systems.
Specialized knowledge of contemporary art and museum practices.
Must have excellent organizational skill, research and analytical skills, and keen eye for details.
Must have excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills with ability to facilitate collaboration.
Ability to work independently, meet deadlines, manage multiple projects simultaneously, and identify priorities.
Ability to affectively supervise and manage Fellowship position.
Ability to lift and move up to 40 pounds and work with collections installed in environments of extreme heat and cold.
How to Apply
Chinati provides a competitive salary and a generous benefits package including health, life, and dental insurance plans and paid time off.
Qualified applicants may apply for this position by e-mailing a cover letter, resume and references to Director of Administration, Jennifer Lees at jlees@chinati.org with “Archivist” as the e-mail subject heading.
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Posted on December 6