Job Opening Title:
Lead Archivist (full time)
Name of Employer:
Christo and Jeanne-Claude Foundation
Job Site Location (City, State) :
New York City, NY
Application Deadline:
December 1, 2024
Minimum Degree Requirement:
Master’s degree in library science or related field, with concentration in archives management
Years of experience required:
3 to 5 years of experience as an Archivist, including substantial experience in project management and the processing of archival collections.
Salary Range:
2 years contract (renewable). The annual salary for the position is $ 87,500 commensurate with experience.
Job Opening URL:
Job Description (if URL to posting not available). Include instructions for how to apply.:
About the Foundation:
The Christo and Jeanne-Claude Foundation is dedicated to collecting, exhibiting, preserving, and interpreting the art and archives of Christo and Jeanne-Claude. The Foundation supports Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s legacy by fostering public knowledge and appreciation for their life, pioneering work, and artistic and cultural influence so they may continue to be an inspiration to new generations of artists, scholars, researchers, and art lovers. The Foundation will achieve this mission by supporting Qualified Art Museums and other charitable organizations benefiting the arts.
Holdings Include:
The unprocessed archives total approximately 440 cubic feet and contain a range of materials related to Christo and Jeanne- Claude’s work and life, including personal and professional correspondence, documents, exhibition files, financial and medical records, agendas, photographs in numerous formats, sound and moving image materials, sketches, studio materials, artwork documentation images, and more. All the materials remain, for the most part, in original order as left by the artists.
Required Skills:
Knowledge and understanding of descriptive standards (DACS), EAD (Encoded Archival Description) finding aids;
Familiarity of legal and ethical issues related to privacy and records restrictions;
Familiarity of 20th and 21st century art history, as well as of museum archival records and artists’ archives;
Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
Experience with digitization projects;
Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite, FileMaker Pro, Adobe Creative Suite, and Mac computers;
Ability to work both independently and in a team environment ;
Flexible and comfortable shifting between priority tasks, as necessary;
Competence with project management, including drawing up budgets for the design and maintenance of a newly established archives program;
Competence in managing the processing of large volumes of archival material in a timely manner.
Preferred Skills:
Experience working with artist estates and/or artist endowed foundations;
Knowledge of Christo and Jeanne-Claude, contemporary art and art history preferred.
Physical requirements:
Lifting boxes up to 40 lbs without assistance;
Prolonged sitting;
Climbing up step stools;
As part of the holdings will be retained at the Foundation’s offices in SoHo, the Archivist should be able to travel between the two locations as needed.
Foreign Languages:
French: elementary proficiency
Job Description:
The processing of Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s papers will take place at an art storage facility in East Harlem, New York City, located directly on the 3 train.
The Archivist will also identify conservation concerns, priorities for preservation and access to the diverse set of holdings; perform basic preservation practices and assist with the maintenance and coordination of archival collections at onsite and offsite storage facilities; assist with development of finding aid at series level, including data migration using spreadsheets; assist with research projects related to the archival collections; seek grants for special projects; conceptualizing a potential future study center; managing research requests; liaising with the Collection and Exhibition Manager on materials for scholars, outside curators, exhibitions, publications, articles, etc.
Reporting and working closely with our Collection and Exhibition Manager, the Archivist will participate in strategic planning efforts involved with preserving and promoting the legacy of the artists.
The Christo and Jeanne-Claude Foundation is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in its hiring practices.
The Foundation ensures that all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of race, age, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, disability status, familial status, or any other category protected under applicable federal, state or local law. We strongly encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply.
Procedure for Application:
Please send a resume and a cover letter to giovanellilorenza@gmail.com
Archives Gig 