Archivist, Photograph Collection

Description

FLSA Classification: Full-Time; Exempt

The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum Department of Museum Services

The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum has an opening in the Museum Services department for a full-time, exempt archivist to organize, preserve, and manage access to the museum’s photograph collection.

Company Overview: Located in the heart of downtown Nashville, the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum documents and interprets the history of country music—a musical genre and culture central to the identity of the city, the state, and the nation. Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, the museum proudly combines subject expertise, ambitious research, and preservation of an unparalleled collection with expressions of creativity in music, art, and history. The museum collects artifacts that illustrate the evolving history and traditions of country music and provides diverse learning opportunities through educational programs, publications, and exhibitions. The core exhibit follows the story of country music from its folk beginnings through its evolution as a commercial art form. Rotating exhibits examine a broad range of topics, from country classics to contemporary and emerging artists in American Currents. The museum owns Hatch Show Print, a letterpress print shop opened in 1879, and it operates Historic RCA Studio B, where Elvis Presley and many others recorded.

What We Offer for Full-Time Staff: 

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance Options
• Competitive Pay
• Paid Vacation and Sick Days
• Paid Holidays (13) and Floating Holidays (2)
• 401(K) with Up to 3% Employer Match
• Employee Assistance Program (Free Counseling and Legal Services)
• Eligibility for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness  
• FREE 24/7 Downtown Parking and Transit Benefits
• Continuing Professional Offerings
• Complimentary Museum Admission (For Yourself, Family, and Friends)
• Reciprocal Partnerships with Local Venues (The Nashville Zoo, Dollywood Theme & Water Parks, National Museum of African American Music, tours at The Opry and The Ryman Auditorium, and more) 
• Up to 25% Discount in Retail Stores and Onsite Restaurant Venues
• Opportunities to Attend Exhibit Openings, Concerts and Special Events
• Employee Engagement Activities and Opportunities
• FSA and Dependent Care Options 
• Dog Friendly Work Environment
• Volunteering and Community Engagement Opportunities

Department Overview: The Museum Services Department is responsible for the museum’s collections, exhibitions, interpretation, and editorial content.

Job Overview: Reporting to the Director of Library and Archival Collections, the Archivist, Photograph Collection organizes, preserves, and manages access to the museum’s collection of over 500,000 still images. The position contributes to exhibitions, programming, publications, the free online digital archive, and other museum initiatives.

Job Duties:

• Process, arrange, rehouse, and describe materials in various photographic formats (including negatives, prints, paper, transparencies, and digital)
• Digitize and catalog photographs for the online digital archive based on institutional priorities using a variety of technologies
• Ensure accuracy of digital archive metadata
• Maintain professional best practices for collections processing, storage, handling, and use
• Research, curate, and edit photographs for the museum’s exhibitions, educational programs, social media, and website
• Receive, research, and fulfill external requests for access to the museum’s photograph collection; manage, execute, and track third-party image use paperwork
• Create finding aids for photograph collections
• Supervise interns and temporary staff
• Steward relationships with photographers, other archives, clients, and donors
• Implement museum policies
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications:

• Degree in a relevant field (Library and Information Science, Archival Studies, Museum Studies, Public History)
• Two years of professional experience working with photographic collections in a museum, library, archive, or in a production/research capacity
• Knowledge of digitization standards and best practices for photograph collections
• Knowledge of current and historic photographic processes, signs of deterioration, and their individual preservation requirements
• Experience with industry-standard DAM systems and metadata standards
• Proficiency with photography scanning hardware
• Proficiency with photographic editing software
• Proficiency and capabilities with personal computers (including Mac products) and software
• Familiarity with the history of country music and key figures within the genre

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience providing photographic content for museum exhibitions
• Working knowledge of country music and its ever-evolving history
• Knowledge of copyright laws pertaining to photography
• Demonstrated understanding of the scholarly use of archival collections and of current developments in the field
• Established professional relationships in the library/archives/museum field

Essential Competencies (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities):

• Ability to work collaboratively
• Respect for country music as an art form and a commitment to continually expand knowledge of country music’s ever-evolving history
• Knowledge of archival content, structure, and metadata standards
• Strong time management skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects

Conditions of Employment:

• Must be able to lift 30 lbs

Notes to Applicant:

 The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum is an equal opportunity employer. We respect the varied attributes, characteristics, and perspectives that make each person unique, and we believe that fostering a culture of inclusion is essential to institutional excellence. The museum promotes an environment of respect, communication, and understanding, while actively seeking opportunities to learn about and establish practices that further facilitate equity. The museum does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), national origin, political affiliation, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information or characteristics, age, membership in an employee organization, military or veteran status, or other non-merit factor. The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum does not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. 

 We are a drug-free workplace and an equal opportunity employer that welcomes all qualified candidates to apply for open positions. The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for its staff and visitors. All offers of employment are subject to and contingent upon the successful completion of a background check and employment verification, including federally mandated E-verify processes, as required for position.

Due to the high volume of applications received for this position, hiring managers will only contact candidates they are interested in scheduling for an interview. Please refrain from calling to inquire about the status of your application. 

 Please upload a resume and cover letter when applying for the position.

Applications are only accepted online on our career page: https://www.countrymusichalloffame.org/careers