Collection Positions
Job Title: Collection Assistant
Job Description:
The Collection Assistant position will provide hands-on experience to learn about daily routines and established best practices for collection management. The Collection Assistant will be responsible for the day-to-day activities of the Collection, in coordination with the Director, including object moves both on and off-site, climate monitoring, processing incoming loans and new acquisitions, inventories and maintaining the record files. She/he will assist with upcoming exhibitions, participating in the installation and deinstallation of the exhibitions as well as planning and scheduling programming associated with the exhibitions. She/he will be responsible for the continued maintenance of the collection database, CatalogIt, and preparing collection records for publication online. The Collection Assistant will also act as an ambassador for the Drexel Founding Collection with visiting donors, researchers and special guests as well as the Drexel community.
Qualifications:
- Understanding of database management using provided software, with experience in collection databases preferred;
- Flexibility to work with and take direction on a variety of projects;
- Familiarity with digital camera and basic imaging software;
- Experience handling art objects a plus; the successful applicant will be expected to become familiar with museum practices and guidelines established by the American Alliance of Museums
- Superb verbal and written communication skills;
- Excellent organizational skills; and
- Interest in and appreciation for fine and decorative arts and collection management.
- Some coursework in Art History and/or Arts Administration
Responsibilities may include but are not limited to:
- Process Collection acquisitions, deaccessions and loans, under the guidance of the Director, collecting proper documentation for database records and object files;
- Standardize data in existing CatalogIt records in preparation for online access and continue the data entry process;
- Manage and maintain all object files;
- Monitor climate and environmental conditions using handheld and stationary hygrothermometers and light meters;
- Provide exhibit assistance, including object selection, research, layout and design, to Director when requested;
- Conduct inventories of exhibit and storage areas throughout the three University campuses;
- Daily object moves and gallery maintenance;
- Plan and schedule exhibition programming, including handling logistics with Event Services, catering and University Facilities;
- Ability to lift 50-pound objects, climb step stools and short ladders, to tend to the Collection’s exhibits and/or storage; and
- Other duties as assigned.
Dates:
June – September
Hours:
20 or 40 hours per week
Majors:
EAM, ARTH
To Apply:
Available positions will be posted on the co-op job board. Applications accepted January through April. Please email cover letter and resume to Lynn Clouser at lcc48@drexel.edu. Include co-op job title in email subject line and cover letter.
Job Title: Gallery Attendant
Job Description:
Gallery attendant for the Drexel Founding Collection’s Anthony J. Drexel Picture Gallery during the hours it is open to the public, 3pm-5pm, Monday – Friday, hours will be shared between two attendants. The individual will greet and welcome all visitors in a professional manner which includes: faculty, staff, students and community members. They will answer basic questions about the Drexel Founding Collection and its current exhibitions. The individual will monitor the collection area and notify the director of the collection of any issues.
Qualifications:
Friendly and courteous demeanor. Interest in fine art or museums preferred but not essential
To Apply:
Available positions are posted on the Federal Work Study page in Drexel Central.
Job Title: Cataloging Assistant
Job Description:
Assisting with the cataloging of the Drexel Founding Collection by updating the information within the collection’s database, CatalogIt, in order to have complete records of the objects within the collections and to prepare the records for online use. Cataloguing consists of photographing, measuring and condition reporting all objects, inserting written descriptions of the objects into the database record, and researching the objects to gather additional information and create a short reference list for each object.
Qualifications:
Understanding of database management using provided software, with experience in collection databases preferred; Flexibility to work with and take direction on a variety of projects; Familiarity with digital camera and basic imaging software; Experience handling art objects a plus; Superb verbal and written communication skills; Excellent organizational skills; and interest in and appreciation for fine and decorative arts and collection management. Some coursework in Art History and/or Arts Administration.
To Apply:
Available positions are posted on the Federal Work Study page in Drexel Central.
The Drexel Founding Collection offers opportunities for students in the Museum Leadership graduate program to complete their practicum courses with hands on experience in the curatorial, exhibitions and collection management fields.
MUSL 750 Museum Leadership Practicum I 3.0 Credits
This is the first term course of a two-term required practicum for all museum leadership students. Students will work in teams at a local museum to complete a practical project that will expose them to contemporary museum practices.
MUSL 755 Museum Leadership Practicum II 3.0 Credits
This is the second term of a two-term required practicum for all museum leadership students. Students will work in teams at a local museum to complete a practical project that will expose them to contemporary museum practices.