Curatorial Fellowship in Archives

Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Curatorial Fellowship in Archives – Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago

Institution: Art Institute of Chicago
Location: Chicago, IL, USA
Contract: Three-year limited term position
Working Hours: Full-time
Salary: Grade Level 7 (Full-Time Hourly Staff)

The Art Institute of Chicago is offering the Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Curatorial Fellowship in Archives. The Fellow will work with the Toby Spiselman Collection of Ray Johnson, supporting research, cataloguing, preservation, and access initiatives. The position is based in the Art Institute Research Center, which integrates the museum’s libraries, archives, and academic engagement activities.

Responsibilities

• Analyze, organize, catalog, and arrange archival materials
• Create finding aids in Encoded Archival Description (EAD/XML)
• Conduct research on the collection and provide access to scholars and staff
• Identify materials for digitization and manage digital discovery tools
• Contribute to preservation, storage, and conservation procedures
• Support acquisitions, donor records, and cross-departmental projects
• Assist with exhibitions, programs, and publications featuring archival holdings
• Participate in committees and research initiatives within the museum

Candidate Profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Art History, Arts Administration, Museum Studies, Library Science, or related field (required); MA in Library and Information Science (ALA accredited) preferred
• Minimum 2 years’ experience in a museum archive environment
• At least 1 year processing collections and creating finding aids to national standards
• Required technical skills: EAD/XML (Oxygen XML Editor), CONTENTdm, Airtable, Adobe Photoshop, DACS, Dublin Core
• Familiarity with TMS, GalleryTools, CDWA, VIAF, LoC vocabularies, and Getty vocabularies preferred
• Strong background in modern art, particularly Mail Art, Performance Art, Fluxus, Neo-Dada, Pop Art, and/or Conceptual Art in New York and Chicago is highly desirable
• Demonstrated research experience, attention to detail, and strong communication skills
• Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion in archival and curatorial practice

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift up to 40 pounds and work with dust/mold (protective equipment available)
• Extended computer use, occasional climbing of ladders/step stools, and movement between storage and office spaces