Position Overview
The Kaish Family Archive Project is seeking a skilled Digitization and Digital Asset Manager with expertise in the handling and digitization of artwork and archival materials. Reporting to the Director and working closely and collaboratively with colleagues and the artist in an artists’ studio environment, the ideal candidate will have extensive experience in photographing artwork, scanning archival materials, and managing digital assets within a digital asset management system. They will play a pivotal role in organizing, preserving, and optimizing access to the archive's valuable digital assets.
Role & Responsibilities
● Develop and implement the digitization workflow of artwork and archival materials, including the creation and editing of images, audio, and video recordings, ensuring archival and publication-quality digital assets, including file formats for long-term preservation, are created and ingested into the DAMS.
● Work with KFAP team members to select and source images, ensure that digital assets are color-corrected, edited and properly prepared.
● Streamline the cataloging of artworks, archival materials, and digital assets, including the creation of metadata and tags from creation and cataloging through ingestion into the DAMS.
● Manage the digital asset management system in collaboration with system vendor, including identifying user needs, implementing system changes to address user needs, managing permission levels and access, and monitoring the system for performance and optimization.
● Serve as point person for in-house image needs providing appropriate files as described above for public programs, website, social media, newsletter, collections, research, etc.
● Establish and implement comprehensive metadata schemas, file naming conventions, taxonomies, keywords, and controlled vocabularies to enhance searchability and accessibility.
● Obtain necessary copyright permissions for digital assets and coordinate agreements for all publication uses. Track and monitor external licensing agreements within the DAMS.
● Manage and track image and research requests for internal and external publication requests, including those from publishers, authors, museums, and galleries, to monitor image, text and permissions standards, coordinating with KFAP team members and external constituents as necessary.
● Conduct regular audits to ensure the accuracy, consistency, and integrity of digital assets and associated metadata.
● Collaborate with KFAP team members to understand their DAMS knowledge and needs and provide training and support as needed.
● Oversee and apply digital archive and digital asset management best practices for data security, copyright compliance, and digital preservation to safeguard the organization's digital assets.
● Stay abreast of industry trends and emerging technologies to continually enhance the digital asset management infrastructure and workflows.
Required Qualifications
● Bachelor's degree in Library Science, Information Science, archival studies, or related field with demonstrated knowledge and experience of digital asset management, digital archives, or equivalent experience.
● A minimum of 5-7 years of experience maintaining a digital asset management system and deep familiarity with photography workflows.
● Advanced proficiency with image editing in Photoshop and/or other relevant professional software; emphasis on strong visual acuity and color sensibility in preparing publication-ready digital files to exacting standards.
● Proficiency in photography techniques and equipment, as well as experience with digitization standards and practices.
● Experience with Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, and Lightroom; Airtable and Dropbox.
● Operating and maintaining digitization equipment, including digital SLR cameras, lighting, and scanners is preferred.
● Proven experience handling artwork and archival materials in a cultural heritage institution, archive, or similar setting.
● Demonstrated experience in digital project management; digital imaging, and digital photography standards; and the management and long-term preservation of digital images.
● Strong understanding of metadata standards and best practices, including file naming conventions, taxonomies, and controlled vocabularies. Familiarity with technical, administrative, and descriptive image metadata.
● Excellent organizational and project management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
● Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate across departments and provide training and support to users.
● Knowledge of copyright laws, intellectual property rights, and ethical considerations related to digital asset management.
● Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
