Processing Archivist: Faith Ringgold Archive Project

We are seeking a dedicated and detail-oriented Processing Archivist to assess, manage and preserve the vast assortment of archival materials of renowned and recently deceased African American artist Faith Ringgold. The Archivist will exclusively work on processing and maintaining Ringgold’s archive, ensuring that materials are properly organized, preserved, digitized and accessible for researchers, scholars, and curators. This role is integral to the long-term preservation of Ringgold's legacy and to enhancing access to her collection for future exhibitions, publications, and scholarly projects.

This position is based at an art storage facility in Harlem, New York City, with occasional travel to Englewood, NJ.

Key Responsibilities:

• Archival Processing:

  • Process and organize the Faith Ringgold archive, including diverse materials such as photographs, sketches, correspondence, exhibition files, and multimedia.

  • Develop and implement workflows for cataloging, sorting, and preparing materials for preservation and access.

  • Create descriptive metadata and records at the series and folder level, ensuring clarity and ease of navigation.

  • Catalog Artist’s Library

• Preservation and Conservation:

  • Identify conservation issues and apply best practices to preserve materials, including paper, textiles, and fragile objects.

  • Implement preservation strategies such as re-housing, labeling, and stabilizing and digitizing items.

  • Work with the Project Lead to prioritize conservation needs for long-term preservation.

  • Identify and prioritize the most fragile photographic and audiovisual materials for digitization or preservation, following established best practices and standards for archival care.

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• Access, Finding Aids and Stakeholder Support:

  • Develop a comprehensive finding aid for the Faith Ringgold archive, ensuring it is complete, user-friendly, and accessible. 

  • Contribute to digitization efforts and data migration (e.g., via spreadsheets and/or archival management software).

  • Facilitate access to materials for internal and external stakeholders, including researchers, galleries, museums, auction houses, and others involved in exhibitions, publications, reproduction, and sales.

  • Maintain the integrity of the collection while ensuring that materials are used appropriately.

  • Respond to research inquires and ensure that all usage aligns with established guidelines. 

• Collaboration:

  • Work closely with the Project Lead and team members to align archival work with strategic goals, project timelines, and priorities.

  • Collaborate with the Project Lead, oral historians, researchers, scholars,  and other cultural practioners to explore future uses of the archive, ensuring its accessibility for academic, educational, and public programs.

  • Contribute to strategies for integrating the archive into future exhibitions, publications, and related scholarly initiatives.

• Supervision and Mentorship:

  • Participate in the potential hiring and supervising of an Assistant Archivist for determined as needed projects.

  • Mentor and guide an intern involved in a program advancing next-generation leaders in the visual arts, providing training and professional development.

• General Task Scope:

  • Tasks outlined above are a guide and not exhaustive. The Archivist may be assigned other related projects as needed to further the mission of the archive and the Foundation.
    

Required Qualifications:

• Experience:

  • 3 to 5 years of experience as an Archivist, including substantial experience in project management and processing archival collections.

• Education:

  • Master’s degree in Library and Information Science, Archival Studies, or a related field, with a focus on archival processing and preservation.

• Skills:

  • Knowledge of descriptive standards (DACS), EAD (Encoded Archival Description) finding aids.

  • Familiarity with legal and ethical issues related to privacy and records restrictions.

  • Strong understanding of 20th and 21st-century art history, museum archival records, and artists' archives.

  • Experience with digitization projects.

  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, FileMaker Pro, Adobe Creative Suite, and Mac computers.

  • Competence with project management, including budgeting for the design and maintenance of an archives program.

  • Ability to work independently and within a collaborative team environment.

  • Flexibility and the ability to manage multiple, shifting priorities.

  • Proven ability to process large volumes of archival material in a timely manner.

• Communication Skills:

  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

  • Strong interpersonal skills for liaising with external stakeholders, including researchers, galleries, and auction houses.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with African American artists' materials and/or a deep understanding of their cultural and historical significance, with a preference for familiarity with Faith Ringgold as well as other artists of the African diaspora.

• Familiarity with digital preservation tools and workflows. 

Deadline: January 31, 2025
Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and a list of references detailing relevant experience with archival processing and preservation. Please also include a brief statement on your interest in working with the Faith Ringgold archive and your connection to the field of African American art history.