The ART Awards Ceremony took place on Thursday October 17th at the New York Archives Week Symposium. It is the only program in the metropolitan New York City region dedicated to honoring the work of archivists and those who support archival programs. Congratulations to this year’s ART Awards Winners! ARCHIVAL ACHIEVEMENT Recognizes an individual or archival program that has made an outstanding contribution to the archival profession, or a notable achievement of value to the archives community, its patrons or constituents.  Winner: Center for Brooklyn History, Brooklyn Public Library "The merging of two nineteenth-century institutions and collections is a daunting feat in and of itself, but merging them towards a new mission of accessible public service is even more vertiginous. The Collections Department at the Center for Brooklyn History has handled this transition and re-alignment with aplomb and professionalism, and with real enthusiasm. Securing this wealth of information for the public good will forever change the range and caliber of the stories we're able to tell about the history of Brooklyn, and by extension, the history of immigration, of industry, of urban life, and arts and culture. They deserve every accolade for their tireless efforts in this endeavor." AWARD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE OF ARCHIVES Recognizes and celebrates an individual or organization who utilizes primary source materials to create engaging and informative learning experiences for diverse audiences. Winner: Friends of Maple Grove Cemetery and NYC Summer Youth Employment Program A group of four students from Epic High School South collaborated with the Friends of Maple Grove Cemetery to honor over 1,200 individuals buried in mass graves there between 1925 and 1937, many of whom were children who died from diseases and malnutrition. As part of the project, titled "Honoring the Forgotten Lives at Maple Grove Cemetery," the students researched historical burial records, identifying 1,250 burials, with a focus on the 800 children. They partnered with local historians and an artist to create a marble lamb monument and a steel time capsule containing the names and stories of those they identified. INNOVATIVE USE OF ARCHIVES Recognizes an individual or organization for use of archival material in a meaningful and creative way, making a significant contribution to a community or body of people, and demonstrating the relevance of archival materials to its subject. Winner: Toxic Docs "Toxic Docs, a joint project of Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health and the CUNY Graduate Center, contains millions of pages of previously secret documents that have been brought to light by the discovery processes of recent toxic tort litigation relating to asbestos, lead, and PCBs. They include secret internal memoranda, emails, slides, board minutes, unpublished scientific studies, expert witness reports, and other kinds of documents. Toxic Docs is using computational methods, cloud computing, and parallel processing to make these documents into machine-readable, searchable text in ways that were not previously possible at this scale. The project is an ongoing repository, taking in new materials as lawsuits unearth them, and it is currently developing AI-based tools to make this vast collection searchable in even more ways. While it looks simple on the surface, it is an exciting model of archival access to materials of enormous civic importance." OUTSTANDING SUPPORT OF ARCHIVES Recognizes an individual or organization for notable contributions to archival records or archives programs through political, financial or moral support. Winner: Metropolitan New York Library Council (METRO) "METRO continues to reinvent itself with supportive, innovative, creative services, programs and grants that have become a lifeline to many in the profession during these crazy times." ART VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR Recognizes an individual who has made a remarkable contribution to the Archivists Round Table. Winner: Nicole Font, ART Director of Communications "Nicole is Director of Communications, an indispensable role which she has gone above and beyond in performing. ART notifications are disseminated promptly and professionally, which has helped facilitate a notable uptick in programming events. Nicole also serves on the Programming Committee where she continues to be a key organizer for a variety of highly engaging events around NYC and beyond."

Digital Symbiosis: Archivists and Technology — New York Archives Week Symposium and Awards Ceremony 2024

The Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York (A.R.T.) is pleased to announce that after 5 years, the annual A.R.T. Symposium and Awards Ceremony will take place in-person at the Gotham Center for New York City History on Thursday, October 17th from 10:00 am – 4:30 pm. (Registration will start at 9:30 am.)

As we grapple with digital preservation, it's crucial to weigh the pros and cons of technology. While advancements offer new possibilities, they also introduce challenges. This year's symposium explores the dynamic relationship between archivists and machines.

Our speakers will delve into how technology can enhance workflow efficiency, user experience, and preservation efforts and will also explore potential pitfalls, including accessibility issues, sustainability concerns, and cost implications. By understanding both the benefits and drawbacks, we can make informed decisions about the best tools for preserving our digital heritage.

The symposium offers a full day of presentations on research, labor strategies, and best practices, with the aim of bringing together archivists, records managers, librarians, museum professionals, scholars, researchers, and the general public. 

Please also join us to celebrate the distinguished work and lasting achievements of individuals and institutions of our profession for the Awards Ceremony, which will follow immediately after the symposium. 

This is an in-person event limited to 70 people. Advance registration is required and non-transferable. Please note that you must reserve a ticket in advance online in order to attend the symposium and awards ceremony. Register here: https://nycarchivists.org/event-5874066 

Coffee and a light lunch will be provided. 

Admission

• A.R.T. Members: $20.00 per person
  
• A.R.T. Member Students: $10.00 per person
• Non-A.R.T. members: $30.00 per person

Location

The Gotham Center for New York City History, William P. Kelly Skylight Conference Room, RM 9100, 9th Floor, 365 5th Ave #6103, New York, NY 10016

Date / Time: Thursday, October 17th, 2024, 10:00 am – 4:30 pm

Please note: This event will not be recorded, but presentations will be organized in a proceedings document available sometime after the event. 

PROGRAM

Shifting Platforms: The Quest for Long Term Preservation and Access

Harmonizing History: The New York Philharmonic's Digital Migration Journey | Bill Levay, Digital Archivist, New York Philharmonic

Contending with Content Concerns: A Case Study of NYC Municipal Archives Reparative Description Practices and Platform Migration | Kelli O'Toole, Digital Preservation Supervisor, Department of Records and Information Services, Caleb Simone, Digital Archivist, Department of Records and Information Services

All for One, and One for All: CUNY’s move to Archives Space | Regina Carra, Outreach & Processing Archivist, City University of New York, Jessica Webster, Digital Initiatives Librarian/Associate Professor, Baruch College, CUNY, Thomas Cleary, LaGuardia Community College, Archivist

Access: The Importance of Always Keeping Our Communities in Mind

Using Open Data and Crowdsourcing to Create a Dynamic Map of History with Queens Name Explorer | Aimai Reporter, Metadata Librarian - Digital Archives, Queens Public Library - Queens Memory, Lori Wallach, Outreach Coordinator, Queens College, Ben Smyth, Co-Founder of Urban Archive, Urban Archive

Facilitating Discovery and Access: The Challenges and Successes of Archival Requesting at The New York Public Library | Laura Leone, Senior Project Manager, Collections Access and Discovery, New York Public Library, Michelle McCarthy-Behler, Manager for Public Services, Manuscripts, Archives, and Rare Books, New York Public Library

Enhancing Discernment and Reducing Drudgery While Cataloging WNYC's On the Line: You Get Paid to Think | Martha Ball, Archive Manager, New York Public Radio, Marcos Sueiro Bal, Project Cataloger, New York Public Radio

Cycles: Preserving, Using, and Reactivating Archives 

Using Web Archives for Primary Source Instruction | Lizzy Zarate, Archives and Records Intern, NYC Independent Budget Office

Web Archiving: Preserving the Future of Scientific Endeavor | Chaeyeon Kim, Digital Archivist, Upstate Medical University (SUNY) 

Re-Animating Archives: Performance Art and Mixed Reality | Mary O'Leary, Independent Museum Professional

Special Presentation: Creating Futures Through Memory Work

Arts2Work Digital Archivist Apprenticeship Program: Martha Diaz, Executive Director, Hip-Hop Education Center and Wendy Levy, Executive Director, The Alliance for Media Arts + Culture

The Alliance for Media Arts + Culture presents the Arts2Work Digital Archivist Apprenticeship, a groundbreaking initiative designed to address the burgeoning demand for skilled digital archivists and archival curators. The program specifically targets young people and emerging creative technologists who are disconnected from school and work, offering them a unique pathway to professional development in digital media archiving and digital asset management.

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Please note that by registering and attending this event/webinar, you automatically grant your consent to be photographed and/ or video-recorded and to the release, publication, or reproduction of any and all recorded media of your appearance, voice, and name for any purpose whatsoever in perpetuity in connection with the Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York, Inc. and its initiatives, including, by way of example only, use on websites, in social media, news, newsletters, Metropolitan Archivist, and advertising.

The Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York (ART) welcomes contributions for the winter 2025 issue of the Metropolitan Archivist, ART’s online digital publication featuring short- and long-form articles, reviews and interviews, and collection spotlights

The forthcoming issue of the Metropolitan Archivist is organized around the theme Let's Get Creative - focusing on the documentation of the arts as well as the creative potential of archives, records, and special collections.

We want to hear about archival collections that you've worked on related to art (including film, literature, theater, etc.), artists, and art institutions; outreach initiatives or collaborations between your repository and arts/education groups; personal experiences and challenges related to processing, exhibiting, or providing reference services to art-related materials; and ways that creativity plays a role in your work or the collections that you work with. We also welcome more creative approaches to writing about archives - short stories, poems, speculative essays, or any other way that you might want to share your work and experiences.

Other questions to consider include:

• What are some unique challenges or opportunities (logistical, legal, technological, etc.) presented by collections that document living artists?

• How can the routine work of processing and providing access to collections be seen as part of the creative process?

• What is an archival object, collection, or exhibition that has inspired you?

Proposals are due by Monday, September 2nd. Selected authors will be notified by Friday, September 6th, and final drafts with cleared images permissions are due by Friday, October 18th.

Contact Elizabeth Kobert, Director of Publications, at metropolitanarchivist@nycarchivists.org with any questions.

Link to form: https://forms.gle/aES5C7BmFTSTgast9

The Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York is pleased to announce New York Archives Week 2024, which will take place from Wednesday, October 16th through Wednesday, October 23rd.

Archivists and institutions throughout the city are invited to share virtual and in-person events, collection tours, and community conversations on the A.R.T. Archives Week calendar via this submission form. The deadline for event submissions is Monday, September 23, 2024. We look forward to an exciting and engaging week!

Additionally, be sure to join us for the New York Archives Week Symposium and Awards Ceremony on Thursday, October 17, 2024, from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM at the Gotham Center for New York City History. This year's symposium theme, "Archives and Technology," will explore the intersection of technology and archives. More details will be coming soon.

If you have any questions about New York Archives Week, please contact A.R.T. President Deidre Dinnigan at president@nycarchivists.org. Stay tuned for further details about upcoming A.R.T. programs!

Image from Meagan Connolly's article "Just Above Midtown (JAM) Archives at The Museum of Modern Art." Performance photograph of Blind Dates, a collaborative performance by Blondell Cummings, Senga Nengudi, and Yasunao Tone from November 2–20, 1982. Just Above Midtown Archives, [II.A.45]. The Museum of Modern Art Archives, New York.

The Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York (ART) is excited to share the Summer 2024 issue of the Metropolitan Archivist, (Comm)unity/Division, which highlights a variety of collaborative partnerships, explorations of new technologies, and two exhibition reviews.

Link to issue: https://medium.com/metropolitan-archivist 

Please stay tuned for the next call for submissions for our winter issue. Anyone who has suggestions for a theme, article, or review, or who would like to get involved in editing the next issue, should contact metropolitanarchivist@nycarchivists.org. 

Each year the Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York, Inc. (ART) presents five awards during New York Archives Week. The awards celebrate distinguished work and lasting achievements in our profession. We invite members to submit nominations for worthy colleagues, archival organizations, and innovative projects in the following categories:

OUTSTANDING SUPPORT OF ARCHIVES

Recognizes an individual or organization for notable contributions to archival records or archives programs through political, financial or moral support.

INNOVATIVE USE OF ARCHIVES

Recognizes an individual or organization for use of archival material in a meaningful and creative way, making a significant contribution to a community or body of people, and demonstrating the relevance of archival materials to its subject.

ARCHIVAL ACHIEVEMENT

Recognizes an individual or archival program that has made an outstanding contribution to the archival profession, or a notable achievement of value to the archives community, its patrons or constituents. 

AWARD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE OF ARCHIVES

Recognizes and celebrates an individual or organization who utilizes primary source materials to create engaging and informative learning experiences for diverse audiences.

ART VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR

Recognizes an individual who has made a remarkable contribution to the Archivists Round Table.

Submission Guidelines:

• Nominees must be an ART member or operate within the New York metropolitan area.

• Explain why this individual or organization deserves to be recognized with this award.

• Provide links that illustrate or highlight the work and contributions of your nominee (if applicable).

DEADLINE: Please send nominations through this Google Form by Wednesday, July 31, 2024, at 11:59 PM (ET)

Awards will be presented at this year's New York Archives Week Symposium, taking place on Thursday, October 17, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM at The Gotham Center for New York City History.

Please send any questions regarding the Awards Ceremony to veep@nycarchivists.org. 

Date: Thursday, October 17, 2024 – 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Location:
Gotham Center for New York City History,
The Graduate Center, City University of New York
365 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10016

The Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York, Inc. (A.R.T.) is organizing a one-day symposium during the 2024 New York Archives Week. The day will focus on presentations and panel discussions, studies, strategies, research, analyses, and use studies with the aim of bringing together archivists, records managers, librarians, museum professionals, scholars, and the general public.

This year's topic, Archives and Technology, will explore ways in which technology and archives intersect. We welcome submissions that examine technological theories and practices in the evolving archives landscape.

What technological challenges do Information institutions and archives face? What theories and practices are currently employed?  How might technology best support existing processes? What benefits might emerging technologies bring to the information management field?   What would the archiving landscape look like within new technological parameters?

Areas of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Digitization Technologies
• Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility
• Advancements in Preservation and Conservation
• Advocacy, Social Justice, Anti-Racism, Public Policy, and Activism
• Digital Humanities and Digital Scholarship
• User Experience
• Security Principles: Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability
• The Digital Divide
• Privacy and Access
• Storage Solutions
• Artificial intelligence and its impacts and opportunities
• Blockchain Applications

Submission Guidelines

• All individual presentations will be a maximum of 30 minutes long (10–15-page paper).
  
• Presenters may submit as part of a group. The maximum group size is three speakers.
  
• Submissions must include title, name of author, and institutional affiliation (if applicable)
  
• Email address, phone number, abstract (250 words max), and indication of technological requirements to support the presentation.
  
• Individual papers or entire panel proposals are accepted.

Proposal Submission Deadline

Proposals for the 2024 New York Archives Week Symposium are due by 11:59 PM (ET) on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. Please submit your proposals through this Google Form.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact president@nycarchivists.org.

The Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York (A.R.T) is delighted to announce the slate of candidates for our open positions on the Board of Directors. Take a moment to read the candidates' bios and statements, and cast your vote here.

Members may vote via this online form until 11:59 PM (EST) on Friday, June 14, 2024. Please note that you must enter the email address registered with your A.R.T. membership account.

The results of this election will be announced at the A.R.T. Annual Business Meeting, which will be held online on Thursday, June 20, 2024, from 6:30 to 7:30 PM (EST). We invite you to join us to learn about the past year’s activities, as well as forthcoming initiatives and volunteer opportunities with the A.R.T. Board. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact president@nycarchivists.org.

Thank you for your participation and commitment to the A.R.T. community. Happy voting!

The Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York (ART) is pleased to announce its Annual Business Meeting, which will be held via Zoom on Thursday, June 20, 2024, from 6:30 to 7:30 pm (EST). Please join us to learn about the past year's activities, upcoming programming, professional development opportunities, and community initiatives with the A.R.T Board. We will also introduce the new members of the A.R.T Board of Directors.

The Annual Meeting provides an opportunity for members to meet, ask questions, and hear from current, incoming, and outgoing board members.

This is a free, virtual meeting hosted via Zoom. Advance registration is required. Upon registering, you will receive a confirmation via email with a link to join the meeting. Register here: https://bit.ly/3Vb2KNO 

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Please note that by registering and attending this event/webinar, you automatically grant your consent to be photographed and/or video-recorded and to the release, publication, or reproduction of any and all recorded media of your appearance, voice, and name for any purpose whatsoever in perpetuity in connection with the Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York, Inc. and its initiatives, including, by way of example only, use on websites, in social media, news, newsletters, Metropolitan Archivist, and advertising.

Are you interested in serving as a Director on the A.R.T Board or becoming a committee volunteer?

Join us for a Town Hall meeting on May 21st at 6:30 pm via Zoom to learn how you can get involved.

Our current Board of Directors will be available to answer questions regarding these upcoming open positions:

• Vice President 

• Director of Advocacy

• Director of Communications 

• Director of Development 

• Director of Education 

• Director of Membership 

• Director of Outreach 

• Director of Publications 

• Secretary 

Serving on the A.R.T. Board is a unique volunteer opportunity that goes beyond the boundaries of your current professional commitments. As an A.R.T. Board member, you'll have the chance to develop valuable skills in local leadership, project management, and networking. Most importantly, you'll act as a representative for your colleagues and all A.R.T. members.

This is a free, virtual conversation hosted via Zoom. Advance registration is required. Upon registering for the webinar, you will receive a confirmation via email with a link to join the webinar.

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Please note that by registering and attending this event/webinar, you automatically grant your consent to be photographed and/or video-recorded and to the release, publication, or reproduction of any and all recorded media of your appearance, voice, and name for any purpose whatsoever in perpetuity in connection with the Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York, Inc. and its initiatives, including, by way of example only, use on websites, in social media, news, newsletters, Metropolitan Archivist, and advertising.