Job Opportunity: Archives Cataloguer (Manchester Metropolitan University Special Collections)
Published:
Wednesday, February 6, 2019 - 12:30
Manchester Metropolitan University are looking for an Archives Cataloguer to join their team, based in Manchester. This new role will help them open up more of our archives and make them discoverable and accessible to students, researchers and members of the public. In this role, you will:
- Assist in cataloguing a wide range of archive material, working with the Special Collections Archivist
- Sort, appraise, arrange and describe the archives using collections management software and according to ISAD
- Work as part of their interdisciplinary team to support the service we deliver as a museum to all our users and visitors
Do you have:
- Strong communication skills with a commitment to providing a high-quality service?
- Good organisational skills with an ability to manage multiple projects whilst delivering results on time and to a high standard?
- Knowledge of relevant digital technologies and data management agendas?
- Enthusiasm, dedication and a willingness to learn?
About the Special Collections
As the University Museum, the Special Collections are an accredited museum and an important research resource nationally and internationally. The Collections include fine and decorative arts, historic and modern books, Victorian greetings cards and ephemera, posters and artists’ papers. The archival holdings include the private papers of artists associated with the book arts, the practice and teaching of architecture in the Manchester region and the history of the Manchester School of Art. Access to the collections and exhibitions is free and open to all.
Contract Type: 6 months Fixed Term, 35 hours per week
Deadline for applications: Friday 22nd February 2019
Funding Opportunity: The National Manuscripts Conservation Trust
Published:
Tuesday, February 5, 2019 - 10:15
The National Manuscripts Conservation Trust offers grants for the conservation and preservation of manuscripts and archives. Since the NMCT was founded in 1990 it has awarded grants of over £3m, which have enabled the conservation of hundreds of musical, literary, architectural and other vital historical documents. The grants ensure that these important collections can once more be made accessible to the public and researchers.
The Trust:
- welcomes grant applications from non-national institutions such as county record offices, museums, university archives/special collections, cathedral archives and libraries, as well as owners of manuscripts that are exempt from capital taxation or owned by a charitable trust
- grants can cover conservation, binding and other preservation measures, including digitisation (providing it is part of a wider conservation project)
- are particularly interested in projects that have a training element (e.g. internship, enhancing skills of experienced conservators, later career conservators passing on their knowledge by supervising a younger conservator etc.). [Not mandatory, but welcome]
Next deadline for the submission of applications: 1st April 2019
Results will be announced in early July.
Click here to read more on the AIM website.
Click here to apply via the NMCT website.
Job Opportunity: Archivist (The Photographers' Gallery)
Published:
Monday, February 4, 2019 - 10:45
The Photographer's Gallery is seeking to appoint an Archivist to oversee the acquisitions, management, preservation and dissemination of the collections within The Photographers’ Gallery’s Archive.
The principle job objective of the Archivist is to oversee the acquisitions, management, preservation and dissemination of the collections within The Photographers’ Gallery’s Archive. Core duties will include:
- Appraising, prioritising and safeguarding material for preservation and retention;
- Cataloguing and digitising The Photographers’ Gallery’s collections;
- Overseeing and maintaining the Archive’s database system;
- Setting/adhering to, and regularly updating, policy guidelines concerning the Archive (preservation, cataloguing, digitization and public access);
- Supporting funding bids for the Archive and activities related to it;
- Line managing the Archive Assistant, ensuring that their work contributes to a wider framework;
- Overseeing copyright clearance for identified material.
The ideal candidate will be someone with knowledge and experience of 21st century archiving practice within a visual arts organisation. The post holder will be diligent, resilient, flexible, proactive and a good problem solver with a keen eye for detail. Among other criteria, they will have 3 or more years' experience in an equivalent post, a strong commitment to digital preservation and a passion for photography and the visual arts.
About TPG
The Photographers' Gallery is the UK’s leading centre for the presentation and exploration of photography in all its forms and a dedicated home for an international photographic community. Established in London in 1971, the Gallery has been instrumental in reflecting photography’s pivotal role in culture and society and championing its position as a leading art form through a rich programme of exhibitions, talks, events, workshops, courses and other activities.
Click here to read the full job description / apply.
Deadline for applications Mon 25 Feb 2019, 12.00
Interviews to be held: W/C 11 Mar 2019
Call for papers: Social History Curators Group 2019 Annual Conference
Published:
Tuesday, January 22, 2019 - 12:15
The SHCG Annual Conference will this year be held in Edinburgh on Thursday 18th and Friday 19th July 2019 around the theme of 'The Future of Social History: Who are we Curating for?' More specifically the conference "will explore how we represent our audiences and communities in the museum space, and question whether social history collections can do more to improve representation across collections and exhibitions."
SHCG are inviting speaks to discuss how we can transform our collections to make them representative and redress imbalances in the museum space. This includes proposals of activities, round table discussions, presentations, and workshops on the theme of representation in museums.
Submission should be filled in via the link to the SHCG's website below. Submissions should be sent to Lauren Ryall-Waite and Alison Grange by 8th February 2019. All applicants will be notified of the Conference Organisers’ decision by 1st March 2019.
For guidance on topics for discussion and to download the full call for papers visit SHCG's website.
Opportunity: Collections Trust Board
Published:
Tuesday, January 22, 2019 - 11:00
Collections Trust are looking for two new trustees to join their board. In particular, they would like to hear from people with one or more of the following attributes:
- Legal expertise
- Financial expertise
- Museum professional seeking their first board experience
- A connection with university museums
The roles are voluntary with expenses paid for by Collections Trust to attend the four meetings a year. Some trustees also serve on an audit committee that meets twice a year. Meetings are usually held in London, in the board room of Rich Mix.
To apply, send your CV with a covering letter by 31 January 2019. The board will consider applications in early February and will interview shortlisted candidates as soon as possible after that. As Collections Trust is committed to increasing the diversity of its board, staff and audience you must also complete an online equal opportunities form. It is completely anonymous and cannot be linked to your application. When the form has been completed, add the code you will find at the end of the form to your covering letter. The code is the same for all applicants.
Applications can be emailed to recruitment@collectionstrust.org.uk.
Visit Collections Trust's website for more details.
Art Fund and Association of Art Museum Curators Foundation Conference Travel Fellowship
Published:
Wednesday, January 16, 2019 - 09:30
AAMC Conference Travel Fellows 2017. Photo courtesy of AAMC Foundation and Michael Seto Photography.
The Art Fund and Association of Art Museum Curators Foundation Conference Travel Fellowship will support eight UK-based curators to participate fully in AAMC’s 2019 Conference in New York City in May 2019, including significant additional funding to support follow-up activities. The fellowship sees Art Fund partnering with AAMC Foundation - a US based organisation which, like Art Fund, provides support and advocacy for curators - for the first time. Art Fund said:
"This new programme aims to enable UK curators to engage meaningfully and with authority on the international stage, developing their own experience and learning while also raising the profile of their institutions and collections abroad. Through the travel fellowships we hope that new relationships will be brokered between institutions in the UK and internationally, stimulating collaboration on all areas of activity from loans to public programmes."
The programme is open to all art curators at museums, galleries or charitable organisations. Applicants must live and work in the United Kingdom. Priority will be given to applicants without existing strong ties to US partners and to the overall international curatorial network. Applications from curators without access travel funding and/or professional development support are particularly encouraged to apply.
As well as attendance at the conference, applicants will be invited to take part in introductory weekend tours; benefit from a pairing with a peer US-based curator to offer collegial partnership throughout the conference; receive an invitation to the AAMC Foundation’s Program Alumni Reception, a networking event allowing attendees to connect with others engaged in professional development and with AAMC; and enjoy a 2-year AAMC membership allowing access to AAMC’s suite of curatorial development opportunities.
Following the conference, recipients of the travel fellowships will be eligible to draw down additional research and development grants to activate ideas and develop relationships with their international counterparts.
Full details on the aims and scope of the programme can be found at https://www.artfund.org/aamc.
Applications are open now with a deadline of 12 February.
Photographic Collections Network secures £70,000 Arts Council funding
Published:
Wednesday, December 12, 2018 - 13:00
The Photographic Collections Network (PCN) has been awarded Arts Council England funding of £69,800 to supports its work on building networks, knowledge, support and advocacy for anyone working with or interested in photographic collections and archives in the United Kingdom.
The funding will enable the PCN – a subject specialist network – to deliver a significantly enhanced programme during 2019-20. This includes:
- Researching and delivering a major conference on the subject of digital legacy
- Identifying and acting as an advocate for threatened photographic collections
- Organising a series of community roadshows and digitisation events
- Developing the programme of workshops and study days to encourage networking, learning, research and advocacy
- Enhancing the involvement of PCN members
- Building links with specialists in other related disciplines
Director of the PCN Paul Herrmann said: “We are delighted that Arts Council England has recognised the importance of Britain’s photographic collections and the key role that PCN has in securing, documenting, and making available these important resources for future generations.
The grant will support the next phase of PCN’s development, in particular, the work on digital legacy which will secure the collections of today’s photographers for the future.”
December 2018 Opportunities
Published:
Tuesday, December 11, 2018 - 12:00
JOBS
British Museum
Project Curator: Endangered Material Knowledge Programme (until 30 November 2021)
The British Museum is looking for someone to curate their Endangered Material Knowledge programme’s digital content, managing: its repository, training and assisting grantees, overseeing quality control of data and documentation, digital public engagement.
Deadline: 17 Dec 2018, 12 noon.
Read more / apply here.
Interpretation Manager
The British Museum seeks to appoint someone to manage their Interpretation Officers on a day-to-day basis, support the evolving approach to Interpretation, and work with project teams, curators, designers and contractors to ensure that the content and interpretation used in the Museum’s exhibitions and galleries best meet their audiences’ needs.
Deadline: 21 Dec 2018, 12 noon.
Read more / apply here.
Visual Arts South West
Visual Arts South West is seeking a new Network Manager, on a 3 days per week for 2 years fixed term contract (with potential for extension subject to funding). They're looking someone who's:
- highly motivated and experienced professional with excellent knowledge, passion and perspective of contemporary visual arts across the South West region
- got experience of strategy and business planning, project management and delivery, stakeholder engagement and fundraising in order to refresh, represent and realise a vision of VASW, along with its varied programmes and initiatives
- a confident and effective communicator with strong negotiation skills, experienced at developing and managing relationships at all levels, and have a successful track record in high quality delivery.
Deadline: Sun 6 Jan 2019, 5pm.
Interviews: Mon 15 Jan 2019
Read more / apply here, or for further information and access enquiries, contact Nella Aarne, Interim Network Administrator: nella@vasw.org.uk
CONFERENCE PROPOSALS
UK-based scholars! The British Academy are inviting proposals for conferences in 2020. If you're a post-doctoral scholar looking for support to present leading-edge research and stimulate discussion on humanities / social sciences, take a look at their annual call out for conference proposals as part of the British Academy's events programme:
"We are looking for proposals that will be pivotal events, of lasting significance in their field. Successful conferences will bring together leading and emerging scholars from around the world to present and discuss new research in the humanities and social sciences. Held at the British Academy and universities across the UK, these events will offer students, scholars and specialists a chance to expand their networks and learn about the latest developments in their subject areas."
Deadline: 31 Jan 2019, 5pm.
Read more / apply here.
Cataloguing Grants - Archives Revealed (The National Archives)
Published:
Wednesday, November 28, 2018 - 11:45
DEADLINE APPROACHING
Ready to improve access and increase engagement with your collection?
The cataloguing grants strand of The National Archives' 'Archives Revealed' closes for applications on Friday 7 December 2018.
Grants of up to £40,000 are available for archives to create catalogues of archival collections. These grants are designed to:
- support the transformation of archive services
- help archives to improve access to collections
- help archives to increase public engagement with history and the UK's documentary heritage
Deadline: Friday 7 December, 2018.
Read more / apply here.
October Opportunities
Published:
Wednesday, October 10, 2018 - 13:00
Job Opportunities:
Two exciting positions have become avaliable at Manchester Art Gallery.
The gallery is looking for Project Co-ordinator, working specifically developing the Manchester Together Archive as part of a Heritage Lottery Fund project. The position requires a highly skilled, motivated and experience Project Co-ordinator to lead a small team within Manchester City Galleries woring with an archive of more than 10,000 items left in St Ann's Square in the weeks following the 22 May 2017 Manchester Arena.
Key responsibility of this role will be to plan and implement the project and manage the day to day running of the project, liaising with all members of the project team and volunteers. This will include ensuring that the project is running to schedule and that the project is within budget.
If you have any queries about the role please contact Amanda Wallace by emailing a.wallace@manchester.gov.uk. Interviews with be held on Wednesday 31st October. More information on the role can be found here.
The gallery is also looking for a Digital Archivist to work on project to document, interpret and digitise this material and create a publicly accessible online database. The key responsibility of this role will be to plan and deliver a programme of digitisation of the archival material – developing methodologies and working with gallery staff, volunteers and external partners (including developers) to create a full online digital archive that meets the objectives of the project. This will include ensuring that the project is running to schedule and that the project is within budget.
Applicants should have extensive experience of archive and / or museum and gallery digitisation projects, and experience of developing and using collection management and / or archive databases. Experience of working with volunteers would be an advantage.
If you have any queries about the role please contact Amanda Wallace by emailing a.wallace@manchester.gov.uk. Interviews with be held on Tuesday 30th October. More information on the role can be found here.
The Science Museum group are looking for a new Head of Exhibitions and Interpretation at the National Science and Media Museum. They are looking for a creative, innovative and strategic leader to join us at the Musuem, in Bradford, in a newly created role on a permanent basis.
They are looking for an individual that will be able to lead a dedicated and driven team of colleagues across exhibitions, content development and interpretation, ensuring our collections and knowledge are shared through story-led, innovative, visitor-focused design. Therefore, the position requires excellent leadership skills and experience of managing and developing a team, budgets and creating genuine opportunities through creative collaboration, as well as experience of interpretive methodology and audience focussed data to deliver creative projects for museum exhibitions, galleries or interactive public spaces.
More information on the role can be found here.
Conference Opportunities:
A reminder that the National Photography Symposium (NPS) will be returning this year hosted by Redeye in partnership with the University of Salford at their base in MediaCityUK. The Symposium will be held over three dynamic and engaging days, Thursday 1 - Saturday 3 November.
Innovative and forward-looking, the programme of events will be richly curated, with over 20 influential people speaking. Entitled The Future of Work in Photography, the symposium will be a chance for people working with or in photography to discuss current issues, trends, ideas, movements and campaigns to improve the industry.
Ticket information and more about the programme can be found here.
The University of St Andrews Library, Special Collections Division will be hosting a conference on broader themes surrounding Stereo Photography during 18-19 October, 2018. This is presented in conjunction with the 2018 St Andrews Photography Festival, 'Stereo Views of Scotland' which runs throughout the month of October.
A call for papers is now open. Submissions should link to stereo photography or collections in some context but do not have to be specific to Scottish or British Photography. Please submit an abstract of no more than 250 words for your 20 minute presentation.
Proposals should be submitted to Rachel Nordstrom by emailing RN32@st-andrews.ac.uk. All proposals should be submitted by 18 May, 2018 so that we may have a completed programme for publication by 31 May, 2018.
More information on the conference can be found here. Thanks to the British Photographic History for sharing this information.