Job Opportunity: Archivist (p/t), Mattress Factory Museum, Pittsburgh, PA

Organization Overview The Mattress Factory museum of art is an internationally known museum of contemporary art focused on installation works. The museum’s exhibitions are created on-site by artists from across the country and around the world. The museum’s campus is located on Pittsburgh’s historic North Side. Several gallery buildings house a growing and distinctive permanent collection, featuring artists James Turrell, Yayoi Kusama, Winifred Lutz, Greer Lankton and Rolf Julius, as well as innovative exhibitions that change throughout the year. The museum develops and programs rotating exhibitions featuring artists known regionally, nationally and internationally. Temporary exhibitions on view during 2015 include Chiharu Shiota: Trace of Memory, Artists in Residence and Factory Installed. The museum’s education department creates programming for each exhibition; educational activities for children, families and target audiences, and programs in the schools that use installation art to support a variety of educational needs of teachers and students. Each June, the Mattress Factory holds its much anticipated Urban Garden Party fundraising event, whose planning and execution requires the efforts of the entire museum staff.

Position Overview:

The Mattress Factory’s organizational records document the history and development of the museum, its collections, exhibitions, and programs as well as the contributions of individuals and groups associated with the museum. It is the responsibility of the Archivist to systematically collect, organize, preserve, and provide access to these organizational records. The Archivist is responsible for the distribution of this content to the public though a customized collections management system developed for p[art]icipate: an active archive, an online collections portal and delivery system.

Job Responsibilities (will include, but not limited to):

• Development of the institutional archives program by identifying records of enduring value from all areas of the organization and establishment of institution-wide transfer workflow • Collaborate with Exhibition Manager to ensure all requisite artist and photographer permissions, artwork remnants, and artwork documentation is collected and/or transferred to Archives • Archivist will oversee all aspects of archives and special collections preservation including disaster preparedness, collections storage, preventative conservation, and preservation digitization • Oversee all aspects of collections description, ranging from the description of institutional records collections to the description of site-specific installation artworks using the museum’s collections management system • Ensure public access and utilization of collections for research by responding to reference requests, by populating the museum’s online collections portal, p[art]icipate: an active archive, and identifying new collections outreach opportunities Collaborate with vendors developing and maintaining online applications based upon p[art]icipate, including the museum’s web collections portal and forthcoming exhibition floor and mobile apps.

Knowledge and Experience Required:

• Master of Library and Information Science from an ALA-accredited program, with a concentration in archives management, and 2-3 years of practical experience in an institutional or museum archives setting • Demonstrated experience in archival processing methods ranging from “More Product, Less Process” to item-level object description • Demonstrated experience with archival description standards, including DACS, MARC, LCSH, AAT, CCO, VRACore, and EAD • Familiarity with database management systems like ArchivistToolkit, Archon, ArchivesSpace, PastPerfect, or TMS. Familiarity with CollectiveAccess a plus • Experience overseeing collection digitization project and familiarity with digital imaging tools like Photoshop and Adobe Bridge • Physical requirements: Ability to lift 30lbs; be seated/standing for extended periods; climb ladders; and perform tasks that require manual dexterity Attributes • Exemplary organization skills • Excellent management skills and the ability to manage vendors and lead, motivate, and support volunteers and student workers • Must be able to quickly and accurately assess priorities, take initiative, and balance multiple projects in a fast-paced, changing environment • Is a self-starter • Enjoys personal interaction with individuals from a broad range of backgrounds • Is creative, proactive and collaborative • Is flexible and comfortable with ambiguity; has a sense of humor and “glass half-full” approach.

Mattress Factory is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To apply Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and resume to jobs@mattress.org. Please put “Archivist” in the subject line. No calls, please.

Click to access MF%20Archivist%20Job%20Description.pdf

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