Project ArchivistSalary transparent

Founded in 1936, the Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston is one of the oldest contemporary art museums in the country, and its long history is recorded in many years of accumulated ephemera and documents. The ICA/Boston is in the process of a long-term effort to preserve and share this history with the public. As part of this effort, the ICA/Boston seeks a qualified independent Project Archivist to continue developing and building the structural foundation of the ICA Archives. Expanding on previous work completed to rehouse and initially process the Archives, the Contractor’s scope will support future public access infrastructure. This includes developing the Finding Aid in ArchivesSpace and documenting and maintaining records related to the Archives. The Contractor will partner with the ICA’s Curatorial department, primarily with the Curator of Collections as the point of contact.

Scope of Services:

The Contractor will independently oversee and execute deliverables across four core areas:

• Organization and Documentation

Catalogue collection materials

Develop cohesive series and subseries structures and physically reorganize catalogued materials into these new series

Utilize existing finding aids and catalogues to author a definite Finding Aid in ArchivesSpace

Configure ArchivesSpace and perform necessary data migration and entry

2.

Digitization Management

Identify priority materials for digital preservation

Maintain, adapt, or establish digitization work plans aligned with ICA’s structure and resources to support internal and external digitization

Fulfill digitization requests from internal staff or external researchers

Coordinate the collecting, shipping, and saving of audio-visual materials in the ICA Archives for external vendor digitization

• Access Architecture

Facilitate reference and access requests for ICA staff

Facilitate reference requests from external researchers, as needed under project scope

Process, redirect, and document general email queries regarding Archives research

• Policy & Compliance Development

Identify restricted materials, and document restrictions of materials, implementing physical and digital labeling system to enforce restrictions within asset management and ArchvesSpace

Draft and finalize an institutional retention policy matching legal, industry, and organizational requirements

Establish an Archives Collections Management Policy, including Reading Room Policies, to ensure the care, safety, and security of the Archives

Additional Project Tasks and Priorities:

Track and maintain project workflows, timelines, and statistics

Conduct independent historical research to contextualize records and creators

Perform standard archival preservation tasks

Identify records for future digitization for public outreach, education, or social media

Provide professional updates on project milestones to curatorial and museum stakeholders

Graduate degree in Library and Information Science (MLIS/MSLIS) or related graduate program with formal training in archives, archives management, and/or archival studies

A minimum of two years’ experience working independently and without supervision or oversight in an archive

Demonstrated knowledge, hands-on experience, and strong command of archival theory, arrangement and description, and the use and application of current national data standards related to the archival control of collection materials such as DACS, EAD, LCSH, and MODS

Hands-on experience with best practices of archival processing, handling, and preservation standards

Experience with digital preservation standards, digital formats, and best practices of their documentation, preferred

Experience processing digital objects and collections, preferred

Experience in implementing collections management systems; experience with ArchivesSpace is highly preferred

Background or interest in contemporary art and museum environments is a plus

Experience with the early stages or establishment of an archive, preferred

Physical & Equipment Requirements:

Ability to transport, lift, and maneuver standard archival boxes weighing up to 50 lbs.

Ability to work stationery at a computer or move throughout museum and storage environments as dictated by physical processing needs

Contractor must provide their own standard mobile phone

Project Schedule and Budget

The contract begins immediately through June 30, 2027

Anticipated time is approximately 30 hours per week to meet project milestones

Payment structure is $39.00 per hour upon biweekly submission of invoice, outlined in contract.

Interested candidates should send a resume and letter of interest to

jobs@icaboston.org

. When applying, please include “Contract Project Archivist” in the subject line. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis; applications received by Friday, September 25, 2026 will be prioritized

The ICA is located at 25 Harbor Shore Drive, Boston, and is accessible by public transportation Red and Silver Line.

The ICA Watershed is located in the Boston Harbor Shipyard and Marina at 256 Marginal Street in East Boston.

Other Locations:

ICA Museum

25 Harbor Shore Drive

Boston, MA 02210

Seaport Studio

100 Pier 4 Blvd, Second Floor

Boston, MA 02210

The ICA values building a pluralistic workforce to foster a culture of collaboration, community and respect. We are committed to hiring talented, creative and qualified candidates from all backgrounds.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, the ICA is committed to being a diverse and inclusive workplace. We are dedicated to fair employment practices for all individuals, adhering to all non-discrimination laws. The ICA is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities.

To request reasonable accommodation (as defined by the ADA) to participate in the job application or interview process, contact

HR-EOE@icaboston.org

or 617-478-3171.