Oral History Project Manager

(July 28, 2023)

Position Title - Oral History Project Manager

Supervisor Title (All entry and mid-level position supervisors should be qualified, professional archivists.) - Archivist

Position Type - Part-time, term

Benefits - No

Hourly wage range - $25 - $30

Temporary part-time, based in Beacon, New York

$20,000, 1-year appointment, September 2023–August 2024

Background

Based in New York, Dia Art Foundation is committed to advancing, realizing, and preserving the vision of artists. A nonprofit founded in 1974, Dia collects the work of some of the most renowned artists of the last half century; presents long-term, site-specific projects; executes new commissions; and produces scholarly publications related to its exhibitions and collection.

Position Summary

The Project Manager is responsible for the research, coordination, and production of interviews conducted for Dia Art Foundation’s Oral History Project. The project captures the voices of those who played a vital role in the organization and its activities and includes artists, founders, directors, staff, board members, and community members living or working near Dia’s locations and sites. The position is key to the success of the project and requires the ability to adapt to changing schedules and the needs of artists and curators. The Project Manger will assume the production of robust, consistent, high-quality scholarly resources for the Archives, and that may additionally be deployed on Dia’s website, social media channels, and publications.

In anticipation of the Foundation’s 50th-anniversary programming, the next phase of the Oral History Project aims to substantially increase the number and scope of interviews in the Archives. Working under the supervision of the Archivist and in close collaboration with the Curatorial, Communications, and IT departments, the Project Manager will undertake the coordination of 15 to 20 interviews and produce transcripts, excerpts, finding aids, and other public-facing materials to enhance the accessibility of archival documents related to Dia’s history and that center the contributions of artists.

Supported by the Archivist and Assistant Archivist, the Project Manager will be given full access to the Dia Archives for project-related research. Archival research will be conducted on-site at the Dia Beacon location 2–3 days per week.

This position is for an independent contractor; pay schedule to be confirmed upon contract signing.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct preliminary research on prospective interviewees and their relationship with the Foundation; produce overview materials and hold reference appointments, as needed, with Curatorial staff
• Identify archival documents, photography, and other media for inclusion in transcripts; liaise with the Archives Assistant regarding timely digitization requests, as needed
• Schedule interviews in coordination with Curatorial, Communications, and IT staff; reserve locations, equipment, and technical support for recording interviews
• Generate automated transcripts of interviews; copyedit and fact-check
• Liaise with Curatorial to secure final approvals of transcripts from interviewees
• Recommend excerpts of interviews and related archival documentation for publicity materials and online features related to the Dia Art Foundation’s 50th anniversary, as needed

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to manage project deadlines and deliverables
• Demonstrated experience and/or thorough familiarity with oral history project management and ethics
• Art historical research background; emphasis on postwar and contemporary art, strongly preferred
• Experience conducting archival research and fact-checking within an arts context
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work collaboratively with multiple stakeholders
• Video, audio, and/or photography editing and production experience, strongly preferred
• Experience with archival digitization and cataloging workflows, a plus

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

Work is performed in a hybrid environment with no fewer than 2 days at the Beacon office; typically, prolonged periods of sitting, use of computers and standard office equipment is required to accomplish work objectives.

Please note that to provide a safe workplace free of recognized hazards and to take every possible step to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 among our employees, Dia requires proof of COVID-19 vaccination upon hire, except for those who obtain an exemption due to a medical condition, a religious belief, or pregnancy.

Qualified candidates are invited to apply by completing the online job application and attaching a resume and letter of interest.

Dia provides a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package with significant employer contributions towards the cost of healthcare premiums. The 401(k) plan provides 100% employer match up to 4% of the employee’s deferral and immediate vesting. Paid time‐off benefits include three weeks of vacation, ten days of sick leave, thirteen holidays, and a generous parental leave program. Work-related travel expenses are fully covered. Additionally, staff ID badges gain reduced or free admission to most American museums and arts organizations.

Dia Art Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, national origin, ethnic origin, citizenship status, disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law in its employment policies. In addition, Dia will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and supports an equitable, inclusive, and neurodiverse workplace.

https://diaart.org/about/employment-internships-and-opportunities/oral-history-project-manager

To Apply please go to https://diaart.wufoo.com/forms/z17b6o6n1ck19ys/