The Menil Collection Employment Opportunity
Title: Imaging Services Specialist Department: Registration Reports to: Digital Asset Manager The Menil Collection seeks a qualified individual to support the Registration Department with Rights and Reproductions requests as well as Imaging and Cataloguing duties. General Responsibilities: The Imaging Services Specialist processes internal and external requests for images of objects in the collection to be reproduced, seeing requests through from initial contact through to providing deliverables. The Imaging Services Specialist also assists with special projects such as ARTstor image contributions, a large-scale museum-wide digitization initiative, and implementation of digital asset management software. Specific Rights & Reproduction Duties: * Respond to public requests for photographic material to be reproduced. * Initiate rights and reproductions contracts and invoices, establish rates for usage. * Maintain databases (transparencies, CDs, contacts, etc.), process agreements and invoices, and track receipt of copies of publications. * Assist with research and resolve copyright permission issues related to the reproduction and filming of collection objects for print, website, and press use. * Update licensing and photography agreements, as needed. * Work with various museum departments (including Curatorial, Membership, and Publications) to secure copyright permission for reproductions featured in Menil Collection publications. Specific Imaging Duties: * Scan and/or photograph transparencies, negatives, slides, and documentation. * Assess digital image files for quality assurance purposes and identify images that need to be rescanned or photographed from their original formats. * Organize, maintain, and properly store all Menil Collection visual resources, including transparencies, photographic prints, and digital images. * Assist with new photography of collection objects as well as photography of objects borrowed for temporary exhibitions, as needed. * Maintain the Imaging Services studio space, image library, and supplies. Specific Cataloguing Duties: * Research, vet, enter, and update credit lines and photography credits in the collection management database (TMS). * Research, vet, enter, and update image metadata into the digital asset management software. * Organize, archive, and file images in the image library. Desired Skills: * Thorough knowledge of intellectual property law, including "fair use" and similar copyright issues is required, as well as the ability to interpret and communicate copyright information to the layperson. * Ability to professionally and diplomatically correspond with artists, artist foundations and estates, museums, artist rights societies such as ARS and VAGA, and the general public. * Thorough understanding of digital still image file creation including image sizing, bit depth, color profiling, image resolution, compression, and creating derivatives. * Working knowledge of digital archiving standards and best practices including file naming and embedding and extracting metadata from and into digital image files according to standards and workflows. * Basic knowledge of The Museum System (TMS) and digital asset management software. * Moderate skill level with Photoshop and Acrobat. * Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel and Word. * Ability to work both on the Mac and PC. * Knowledge of digital cameras, scanners, lighting, and light tables. Experience: * A minimum of three to five years' experience in a Rights & Reproduction role is highly desired, preferably at a museum, image archive, or other arts-related or non-profit organization. * Digital imaging experience in an Imaging studio at a museum, photo archive or agency preferred, but not required. * Expertise in cataloguing and archiving, media conservation, and knowledge of developments in the digital field required. * A BA in an arts-related field such as Media Studies, Museum Studies, Art History, etc. with knowledge or appreciation of art and architecture including modern and ancient art is preferred. * Experience working in a fast-paced, results-driven environment with tight deadlines. * Must enjoy working both collaboratively and independently. Salary and benefits competitive and commensurate with experience. Please send resume and cover letter with salary expectations to: Human Resources, the Menil Collection, 1511 Branard Street, Houston, Texas 77006. Application materials may also be emailed to: smmaloch at menil.org<mailto:smmaloch at menil.org>.
