Curatorial Assistant - Vancouver, Canada - University of British Columbia

University of British Columbia
University of British Columbia
Verified Company
Vancouver, Canada

3 weeks ago

Sophia Lee

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Sophia Lee

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Description
Staff - Union

Job Category

CUPE 2950

Job Profile

CUPE 2950 Salaried - Tech Svc Library Asst 3 (Gr7)

Job Title

Curatorial Assistant

Department

Visual Resources | Department of Art History Visual Art and Theory

Compensation Range

$4, $4,214.00 CAD Monthly

Posting End Date

January 9, 2023

Note:
Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the Posting End Date above.

Job End Date

Job Summary


The Curatorial Assistant supports the public services and operations of the Visual Resources Centre (VRC) in the Department of Art History, Visual Art, and Theory (AHVA).

Reporting to the Curator of Collections, VRC, the Curatorial Assistant supports teaching and research in AHVA, contributes to the long-term projects of the VRC, and in the effective delivery of library services.

By combining the latest information technology with excellent public service, the goal is to participate in building and maintaining a rich information environment, facilitate access to it, and create a place that functions as a hub of scholarly activities for the departments, university community, and affiliated educational institutions.


The VRC, located on the second floor of the Frederic Lasserre building is a vital teaching and research facility supporting primarily the programs of Art History (ARTH, Visual Art (VISA), Critical Curatorial Studies (CCST), and Film Studies (FIST).

The total holdings of 550,000+ visual materials consist of 35mm photographic slides, videos, laserdiscs, films, DVDs, Blu-rays, and an extensible database of 52,000+ digital records of images/data, covering all areas of visual culture indicative of the teaching needs and research interests of faculty and students.

The VRC also holds journals, magazines and books of high relevance to the AHVA curriculum for onsite consultation.

Organizational Status

Reports directly to the Curator of Collections and, in her/his/their absence, to the Administrator. Works in collaboration with the Film Coordinator and assists in providing guidance to Work Learn project assistants.

Work Performed

  • Assists with the care and management of the collection while observing standards and best practices for cataloguing, database management and storage.
  • Conforming to VRC standards, the work entails digital imaging and description of digital assets. In these functions the Assistant will acquire proficiency in using standard reference tools, e.g. VRA Core 4, Dublin Core, Library of Congress Subject Headings (LSCH), Getty Union List of Artist Names (ULAN), Categories for the Description of Works of Art (CDWA), Cataloguing Cultural Objects (CCO), etc
  • Prioritizes requests from faculty and students by searching relevant image databases such as PIX Arts Digital Repository (WORDPRESS, 2019+), ARTstor, Canvas (LMS), and other online resources with the aim to augment and ameliorate the existing collections without duplication.
  • Participate in the development of and implementation of the ongoing digitization of analog assets. Details cataloguing practices, policies and work methods and supervises student workers in that context.
  • Performs digital preservationrelated tasks (e.g., creating checksums for files, performing fixity checks, etc.)

Processes scanned images:
preserves original scans (TIFFs) for long-term storage, resize high-resolution TIFFs to regular JPG files for classroom projection.

  • Develops, reviews, edits and implements content for the web (via WordPress or other CMS).
  • Assists with the delivery of inperson or online workshops on topics such as research materials management or curation, research and writing methods and other topics of relevance.
  • Assists with the development, implementation and provision of outreach and instructional activities/materials; including educational materials, tours, writing and research services, online exhibitions and handson projects.
  • Trains and explains work procedures to Work Learn project assistants.
  • Interacts professionally with users of the VRC providing them with courteous and effective services; ability to work under deadlines with accuracy and attention to detail. Tracks usage statistics.
  • Procures approved budgeted items, tracks expenditures and cost recoveries, and meets periodically to review actuals with the Curator of Collections and Administrator. Monitors printing requests, issues invoices, and collects cash payments; oversees centre supplies, and places purchase orders in accordance with departmental and university policies and procedures.
  • Compiles statistical data of inventorying items for digitization productions; oversees the inventory, maintenance, and tracking of equipment use and supplies. Tracks usage statistics such as equipment requests, reference questions, space usage requests, etc.
  • Provides basic technical support for AV set up to teaching assistants, faculty, staff, and distinguished visitors to AHVA; troubleshoots equipment and projection problems in classrooms and e
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