Lead Curator of Digital Archives
Our client, a prestigious arts and cultural institution in
Phoenix, Arizona, US
, is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Lead Curator of Digital Archives to join their dynamic team. This role is pivotal in shaping the future of our digital collections, ensuring their accessibility, preservation, and innovative presentation to a global audience. The successful candidate will be responsible for overseeing the acquisition, cataloging, and management of all digital assets, including photographic materials, audio-visual recordings, and born-digital artworks. You will develop and implement strategic plans for digital archiving, research emerging technologies, and lead the digitization efforts for physical collections. Collaboration is key; you will work closely with curatorial staff, exhibition designers, IT specialists, and external partners to integrate digital content into various projects and platforms. This position involves a significant level of research, requiring a deep understanding of art history, archival science, and digital humanities. The Lead Curator will also be responsible for developing and delivering public programming, workshops, and educational materials related to digital collections. Additionally, you will manage a small team of archivists and technicians, providing mentorship and guidance to foster professional growth. A strong commitment to ethical archival practices and intellectual property rights is essential. The ideal candidate will possess exceptional organizational skills, meticulous attention to detail, and a passion for making art accessible. Experience with collection management software, digital asset management systems (DAMS), and metadata standards is required. This is a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact on the preservation and dissemination of artistic heritage in a vibrant city. The role requires a blend of scholarly expertise, technical proficiency, and strong leadership capabilities. Join us in safeguarding and sharing invaluable artistic legacies for generations to come. Responsibilities: Oversee the acquisition, cataloging, preservation, and management of digital archival collections. Develop and implement comprehensive digital archiving strategies and policies. Lead digitization projects for physical artworks and artifacts. Research and evaluate new technologies for digital preservation and access. Collaborate with internal departments and external partners on digital initiatives. Develop and deliver public programs and educational content related to digital collections. Manage and mentor a team of digital archivists and technicians. Ensure compliance with ethical archival practices and intellectual property laws. Maintain and utilize collection management software and DAMS. Contribute to exhibition development and online content creation. Qualifications: Master's degree in Art History, Library Science, Archival Studies, or a related field. Minimum of 5 years of experience in digital archiving or museum/gallery collections management. Demonstrated experience with digital asset management systems (DAMS) and metadata standards (e.g., Dublin Core, EAD). Strong understanding of art history and archival principles. Excellent research, analytical, and organizational skills. Proven leadership and team management abilities. Experience with digitization processes and technologies. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively.