Job description
This is a full-time temporary position for approximately18 months. The Chicago History Museum seeks a Digital Humanities curator to play a key role in Humanities 2020, a partnership initiative between Lake Forest College and the Museum, funded by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, that works to enhance and advance humanities education through deep engagement with issues of race in Chicago. The curator, as part of the Museum staff, will work closely with Lake Forest faculty, staff, and students to accomplish the mission, goals, and directions for digital research, to ensure a healthy partnership, and to set priorities within the larger topic of race and segregation in Chicago.
Responsibilities
- Develop and surface new understandings of the museums’ race and ethnicity-related collections by helping us reinterpret, exhibit, share, and connect our collections with the public
- Leverage Chicago’s museum, library and archival resources, including the Chicago Collections Consortium
- Work to develop digital humanities projects that unite the data and collections held at this and other institutions with a particular focus on the Chicago Sun-Times image collection and the Encyclopedia of Chicago
- Work closely with Lake Forest faculty/staff to ensure a healthy partnership under its Mellon grant. This would include training students in physical and digital archiving techniques, guiding students through content research and publishing for student projects, and acting as a contact for student questions and concerns
- Act as a resource for Lake Forest College faculty interested in incorporating the Chicago Sun-Times images into their research. Help faculty develop means to present that research to the public
- Evaluate, develop, document, and help curate the museum’s data, data sources, and research of its race and ethnicity-related collections
- Collaborate and contribute to the work of inter-departmental committees and initiatives
- Participate as a key stakeholder of the Collections and Curatorial Affairs Department and Research and Access Departments to help identify and establish data governance, metadata creation, and cataloging workflows
- Participate as a key stakeholder in evaluating and prototyping the next iteration of the Encyclopedia of Chicago, including exploring and recommending requirements and options for its technological platform
- Learn and develop skills and methods for metadata curation and cultural analytics
- Apply new methodologies and curation skills to each institution’s respective project
- Collaborate with museum staff to establish guidelines and an understanding of the level of effort and ongoing sustainability needed to continue this partnership.
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Develop trainings for staff on new and existing digital humanities tools or concepts
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Build out Omeka site as needed to accommodate additional projects and add one digital exhibit
Skills and Qualifications
- Undergraduate degree in humanities or computer sciences. Preferred: Current enrollment in or recent completion of Master’s degree in digital humanities, humanities, or computer science discipline
- Working knowledge of Chicago history, with an emphasis on racial and ethnic history
- Understanding of data management and curation
- Comprehension of metadata standards, digital image file parameters, and intellectual property best practices as applied to cultural heritage institutions
- Demonstrated knowledge of enterprise-level DAMS and database applications
- Project management and organization skills
- Excellent interpersonal skills, with a focus on active listening and relationship-building
- Some experience working with college- or high school-age students is desirable
- Experience conducting archival research
- Familiarity with museums and libraries
- Familiarity with digital humanities methodologies and/or cultural analytics
- Familiarity with common digital exhibit tools and platforms, including Omeka
- Demonstrated knowledge of HTML, CSS, and Adobe Creative Cloud
- Experience with GitHub and knowledge of JavaScript and PHP preferred
CHM has implemented a mandatory vaccination policy requiring COVID-19 vaccination(s) for all employees.
This decision was made in accordance with CHM's duty to provide and maintain a workplace that is as safe as possible during these uncertain times. We believe that adopting this policy safeguards the health of our employees and their families, our customers and visitors, and the community at large from infectious diseases that may be reduced by vaccinations.
To Apply: Please submit the following as a single document: cover letter and resume. Online submissions with incomplete information may not be considered. E/O/E D/V/M/F. No Phone Calls please.
This job description is not intended to be an express or implied contract between CHM and any employee. CHM employees are employees at will. CHM reserves the right to change or assign other duties to this position as necessary to meet changing business needs. CHM is an equal opportunity employer.
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