Institute of Contemporary Art Boston 25 Harbor Shore Drive Boston, MA 02210

Date Posted:

August 24, 2026

Region:

Eastern Massachusetts Category:

Artistic/Programming Type:

Consultant

Project Archivist Description:

Contract:

Project Archivist Position Status:

Independent Contractor (Form 1099)

Performance Period:

Immediate start through June 30, 2027, renewal options

TBD Primary Work Onsite:

Onsite and Remote (hybrid) as required by project milestones.

Onsite location:

ICA Watershed, 256 Marginal St, East Boston, MA 02128

Project Overview:

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 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 workpleted 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: 1. Organization and Documentation Catalogue collection materials Develop cohesive series and subseries structures and physically ranize 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 3. 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 4. 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, andanizational 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

Qualifications:

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 strongmand 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 aputer 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 immediatelythrough 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.