Job Opening Title:
Consultant Archivist
Name of Employer:
MAK Center for Art and Architecture
Job Site Location (City AND State) :
Los Angeles, CA
Application Deadline:
rolling – job to begin ideally in July
Minimum Degree Requirement:
MLIS, MA in Archival Studies, or equivalent experience in archival work
Years of experience required:
3+
Salary Range:
$40-$70
Job Opening URL:
https://www.makcenter.org/opportunities
Job Description (if URL to posting not available). Include instructions for how to apply.:
CONSULTANT ARCHIVIST
This is a part-time, contract role with an estimated duration of 1-3 months. We are aiming to start this engagement in July 2025 and will be conducting interviews on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW
The MAK Center for Art and Architecture operates from three sites designed by R.M. Schindler and hosts year-round exhibitions, residencies, and public programs at the intersection of art, architecture, and urbanism. As we prepare to launch a new Study Center and digital archive housed at the Fitzpatrick-Leland House, we are seeking a consultant archivist to support this foundational stage.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Consultant Archivist will support the MAK Center in assessing its archival collections and advising on the development of a scalable digital infrastructure. This role will collaborate closely with internal staff and an external digital design team to ensure that the archive is developed with long-term usability, accessibility, and institutional alignment in mind.
Scope of Work
Conduct a collections assessment of the MAK Center’s physical and digital holdings related to exhibitions, residencies, and programs from the past 30 years
Review and document existing archival materials, identify preservation risks, and recommend priorities for digitization
Participate in kickoff meetings with MAK Center staff and the digital design team to help define metadata standards, user interface priorities, and content hierarchy
Advise on best practices for collection management, digitization workflows, and scalable digital archive infrastructure
Draft or advise on an institutional collections policy to support the long-term care and accessibility of the archive
Create a detailed work plan for a Processing Archivist and provide initial supervision to ensure alignment with institutional goals and archival best practices
Oversee and support the Processing Archivist by helping define workflows, reviewing progress, and ensuring best practices are followed
Qualifications
MLIS, MA in Archival Studies, or equivalent experience in archival work
Demonstrated experience with archival assessment, policy development, and digital preservation
Familiarity with digital asset management systems and metadata standards (e.g., Dublin Core, EAD, etc.)
Knowledge of contemporary art, architecture, or design collections strongly preferred
Excellent communication and collaboration skills; ability to translate archival needs to design/tech teams
This is an on-site position reporting to the Director. Pay commensurate with experience.
Please complete the form here to apply: https://airtable.com/appBr4bbj9xIatMEy/pagHsowZ2pmxdwEqN/form
Archives Gig 