AMP: Artists' Meeting Place and Resource Collective

PRESERVATION MANAGER
POSTED: January 5, 2011

DEADLINE TO APPLY: Open until filled

Compensation: Commensurate with experience, three-week paid vacation, and full medical and dental benefits

Hours: Full time, 40 hours per week, with some flexibility

ABOUT VISUAL COMMUNICATIONS
Founded in 1970, Visual Communications (VC) is the nation's oldest media arts center dedicated to the honest and accurate portrayals of Asian Pacific American peoples, communities and heritage through the media arts. Our mission is to promote intercultural understanding through the creation, presentation, preservation and support of media works by and about Asian Pacific Americans. Visual Communications is the presenter of The Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival, Southern California's premier showcase for Asian Pacific American and Asian international cinema. VC is an equal opportunity employer.

SUMMARY

The Preservation Manager is responsible for assessing, planning, arranging, caring for and conducting basic preservation work for the organization's moving image archives, including: film, video and recorded sound holdings. The Preservation Manager will also oversee the proper cataloguing of all materials to improve access to the collections, as well as assist in general fundraising and outreach for the program. The Preservation Manager will work directly with the Executive Director and in tandem with student interns assisting with preservation work.

The Preservation Manager will also be responsible for overseeing film trafficking duties leading up to, during and immediately following the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival. Duties include: developing relationships with external print traffic coordinators, securing on-time receipt of Festival films and videos, inspection of all elements, and arranging for timely shipping of prints and videos to their next destination.

The ideal candidate will have a deep dedication to the Asian American community of Los Angeles, have a strong working knowledge of film, video and photographic preservation methodologies and be committed to the missions and goals of Visual Communications.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Assist the Executive Director and the Program Team to produce an annual program budget and planning process for each fiscal year;

2. Create procedures for handling materials, placing new items into collections, identifying workflow, and creating strategies to organize, catalog and preserve multiple media types;

3. Coordinate the operations, communications and general functions of the Preservation Team, including hiring & managing of interns, volunteers and consultants;

4. Meet with consultants to build VC's capacity to manage a living, thriving collection that is accessible to the public; act as community liaison and initiate outreach activities;

5. Administer the distribution of VC copyrighted material, searching for images/footage, negotiating rights fees, and reviewing the context in which materials will be used;

6. Keep abreast of new preservation methodologies for media and ensure collections care are meeting preservation standards;

7. Digitize and care for moving and still images and recorded sound holdings as part of the organization's preservation strategy;

8. Arrange and catalogue moving and still images and recorded sound holdings. Create records for content management;

9. Assist in the general fundraising for the organization's preservation activities;

10. Oversee the timely receipt, return and inspection of films and videos at the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival, ensuring the highest quality presentation for the public by confirming the timely receipt and inspection of print materials;

11. Commit to ongoing Professional Development by visiting other organizations that are engaged in archival work, and attending professional conferences related to the field.

QUALIFICATIONS

· Personal commitment to mission and goals of Visual Communications;

· Deep commitment and familiarity with the Asian Pacific American community, specifically within Los Angeles;

· Training and/or experience with photographic, audio and moving image materials, digital media formats, and equipment a must;

· Graduate student in the process of completing an ALA-accredited MLS or MA, Ethnic Studies/American studies or a media-related field with archival course work or training should apply;

· Computer literacy and knowledge of databases;

· Knowledge of cutting edge technology and how to apply it to the needs and budgetary constraints of the organization;

· Excellent oral and written communication skills;

· Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines;

· Ability to structure own time, set goals and carry out projects independently;

· Ability to supervise, initiate and lead appropriate staff, interns and consultants;

· Strong interpersonal skills for dealing and working with a wide variety of people;

· Ability to contribute to a supportive organizational culture (team-work, humor, flexibility, energy)

HOW TO APPLY

Please email resume and cover letter to: Shinae Yoon, Executive Director, Visual Communications, shinae@vconline.org

from LA Culture Net