Job Opening Title:
Archivist
Name of Employer:
L.A. Louver
Job Site Location :
Los Angeles, CA
Application Deadline:
open until filled
Minimum Degree Requirement:
MLIS, MLS, MARA
Years of experience required:
2
Salary Range:
$62,000-72,000
Job Description (if URL to posting not available). Include instructions for how to apply.:
Archivist
L.A. Louver seeks a full-time Archivist to work in its active Archive and Library, which is distinguished by collections and materials that reflect the Gallery’s activities since its founding in 1975.
This is a unique opportunity for an Archivist with demonstrated professional experience to process, rehouse, preserve, catalog, and describe historical and contemporary collections and documents, digitized and digital-born materials. The Archivist will work with Archive and Library staff including the Assistant Archivist and the Head Archivist and Research Specialist, as well as with Gallery colleagues including the Directors, Exhibition Manager, Registrar, Preparator, Communications and Research Associate, and Gallery Receptionist.
The Archivist position requires excellent organizational, analytical, and research skills, knowledge of modern and contemporary art and art history, and expertise in archiving and cataloging standards and best practices.
About L.A. Louver:
Founded in Venice, California in 1975, L.A. Louver is committed to contemporary art through a distinguished exhibition program of Los Angeles based and international artists. Over the last 48 years, L.A. Louver has presented an array of contemporary art ranging from the paintings of Leon Kossoff and David Hockney to the bold tableau and assemblage works of Edward and Nancy Kienholz to the influential practices of L.A. artists Alison Saar and Gajin Fujita. For more information, please visit the Gallery website: https://lalouver.com/
Major Responsibilities:
Archive and Library
With the goal of promoting collection discovery, access, preservation, and use, the Archivist will apply professional standards and best practices to process, re-house, preserve, catalog, and describe mixed-format collections. The Gallery Archive collections include artist files, exhibition records, registration records, business records, promotional materials, press, ephemera, audio-visual items, digitized records, digital-born records, digital photography, printed photographs, slides, transparencies, artwork, and more. Under the direct supervision of the Head Archivist and Research Specialist and general supervision of the Managing Director, the Archivist will:
• Survey collections and develop and implement processing plans
• Arrange, process, re-house, preserve, catalog, and describe collection materials
• Create, edit, and enhance finding aids, bibliographic records, and other metadata based on current Gallery standards and industry-wide best practices
• Identify conservation concerns and perform basic preservation practices
• Collaborate with Archive and Library colleagues to refine standards, processes, and procedures
• Maintain processing metrics and project documentation
• Work independently and collaboratively on processing projects
• Conduct art historical research as needed
Additional responsibilities:
• Undertake special independent and collaborative projects as assigned
• Collaborate with Archive and Library colleagues to research and implement Archival Content Management Systems (ACMS) and Digital Assess Management (DAM) systems that meet the particular needs and uses of L.A. Louver Archive and Library
• Collaborate with Archive and Library colleagues to document and maintain the Saleable Catalogue and Merchandise Inventory
• Acquire, process, and catalog books into the Library; write and maintain records in ArtBase
• Artist-Related Archiving: process, rehouse, preserve, catalog, and describe artist related records that document the Gallery’s current activities; write and maintain artist CVs and bibliographies in the Digital Archive Database system
• Artwork inventory records: research and document provenance, literature, exhibition history information of Gallery artworks in ArtBase
Qualifications:
• Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS), Library Science (MLS), or Archives and Records Administration (MARA) from an ALA-accredited institution is required
• Bachelor’s degree in art history, library and information science, history, museum studies or related field is required
• Two years of professional experience accessioning, processing, rehousing, cataloging, and preserving collections; creating finding aids, bibliographic records, and other metadata; and implementing industry standards and best practices at a museum, gallery, university, library, archive, artist’s studio, foundation, non-profit, or similar institution is required
• Knowledge of modern and contemporary art and art history is required
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work independently and in a team-based environment
• Ability to meet deadlines and present recommendations
• Skills: FileMaker Pro/ArtBase, Google Suite, Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Creative Suite
• Ability to lift 40 pounds and climb ladders
Preferred Qualifications:
• Knowledge and experience applying descriptive and metadata standards such as Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS), Encoded Archival Description (EAD), Machine-Readable Cataloging (MARC), Resource Description and Access (RDA), and Dublin Core Metadata Initiative (DCMI)
• Knowledge and experience using Archival Content Management Systems (ACMS) and Digital Asset Management (DAM) programs
• Familiarity and interest in current archive and library issues and trends
• Membership and participation in relevant professional organizations
Compensation and Benefits:
• This is a full-time (Monday-Friday), on-site staff position with a salary range of $62,000-$72,000
• Benefits include medical, vision, and dental insurance; paid vacation and personal days; paid holidays; paid sick leave
The Archivist will be primarily based at L.A. Louver’s warehouse and archive facility located in Mid-City Los Angeles but will also work out of the Venice Beach gallery as projects and responsibilities require.
APPLY:
Please submit a resume and cover letter in PDF format with the subject line “Archivist” to work@lalouver.com.
No phone calls or walk-ins please.
[Job posted February 1, 2023]
Archives Gig 