Archive Curator
Closing date 15 November 2021
Glasgow Print Studio is seeking an Archive Curator to work with them to fulfill their objective to position the GPS Archive as a key organisation asset and visitor resource fit for the future. As GPS head into their 50th year in 2022, they have identified key significant developments required over the next three years in order to achieve their ambitions, unlock potential and ensure the security of the Archive for future generations.
Salary: £26,000 pro rata (2 days per week), this is a 3 year funded post.
Location: Glasgow Print Studio, Trongate 103, Glasgow, G1 5HD
Applications should be emailed FAO Sarah Stewart, Education Officer to [email protected] by 2pm on Monday 15th November 2021. Interviews are planned to take part week beginning Mon 6th December 2021.
History and 50th Anniversary
Glasgow Print Studio (GPS) was founded in 1972 as an artist-led initiative providing facilities and workshop space to artists working in the medium of fine art printmaking. Now, as an internationally acclaimed centre of excellence in printmaking, we promote traditional, contemporary and innovative printmaking through supporting artists, exhibitions, learning and conservation. Over the past 50 years the organization has grown in scale and has a wide-reaching range of audiences and participants who visit, participate and learn about traditional fine art printmaking.
The forthcoming 50th anniversary in 2022 is an opportunity for us to engage further, deeper and wider. Celebrating the creative talent and work produced in our Glasgow workshop, we will showcase works by leading Scottish and International artists, including Philip Reeves, Ken Currie, Stephen Campbell, John Byrne, Elizabeth Blackadder, Nicolas Party to name a few. Our engagement work and reach will be intensified by a 50th programme of exhibitions and events driven by a key exhibition planned for Kelvingrove Art Gallery in 2022. Much of this show will be selected directly from the GPS Archive.
Outline of GPS Scale and Activities
Our open access workshop supports a community of printmakers and provides support to professional artists through its exciting publications programme, collaborations and residencies. The workshop brings artists together and provides access to specialist equipment, studio space and technical expertise.
The exhibitions programme supports the emerging talent of Scottish based artists and presents contemporary international printmaking. The retail gallery supports artists through the sale of their work and promotes opportunities to buy the best in contemporary Scottish printmaking.
The learning programme is accessible to a wide range of learners. It gives artists, newcomers and the public an environment to create, thrive and learn about printmaking though exhibitions, classes, tours, workshops and community participation. We are currently the only print workshop in the UK to hold a collection on site. The Archive reflects the work published by the Studio and created by members and associated artists since the early 1970s.The close connection with the workshop allows for a unique setting in which visitors can learn about fine art printmaking.
Archive Background, Achievements and Vision
The Glasgow Print Studio Archive includes over 3,500 prints, plates, stage proofs, photographs, slides and many other items related to the history of the Studio, the workshop and exhibitions held. The collection is ongoing, to reflect the contemporary publication programme and work by members. We act as custodians and preserve Scotland’s printmaking heritage through the transference of traditional skills.
The collection confers a crucial living link between present-day production and the history of printmaking in the West of Scotland. The Archive also sits within a wider national context, alongside the
print collections of Glasgow Museums and Galleries, The Hunterian Art Gallery and the National Galleries of Scotland. Our collection policy takes into account these collections.
The completion and launch of an oral history website resource www.graphic-impact.co.uk in 2021 is a significant landmark for the Archive. This has provided a new digital identity, opening up possibilities for broader developments and the site will be a catalyst to develop our participatory work, with new rich resources embedded in our learning programme and 50th Anniversary programme celebrations.
Archive Security and Upgrading of Digital Images
An Axiell software update is required before any further site development can be carried out. To ensure security we need to upgrade our Content management system and ensure cloud storage back up is in place. The Archive Curator would be responsible for overseeing and carrying out the upgrading of the Archive content management system and ensuring the Archive is properly transferred and embedded.
Overseeing and providing in house training to current staff in the new system will be required.
Upgrading the digital images of Archive works is required, to provide improved user experience and to fully capitalized across our sales, marketing, exhibitions and learning programmes. Providing increased accessibility opportunities will be an important outcome.
Working alongside our Education Officer and Gallery Manager, the Archive Curator would be responsible for overseeing and carrying out the upgrading of Archive images.
Archive Development: Oral Histories
Continuing the story captured through Graphic Impact: Our Lives in Print project, our collective goal is to bring the historical information up to present day, preserving information regarding the creative output and achievements of the organisation and the many people who have contributed to this.
Phase 2(1989-2008) King St including decant for refurb, 1990’s Glasgow City of Culture
Phase 3 (2008- 2021) T103 Redevelopment to present day
It would make a substantial contribution to engaging with the general public, making it more accessible and visible to a wider audience.
The Archive Curator would be responsible for overseeing and carrying out this oral history research while continuing the general upkeep of the Archive and accessioning new publications as they are made.
Application Process
Please send a current CV along with a covering letter outlining your interest in the post and how your skills and experience would make you a suitable candidate for this role. Applications should be emailed FAO Sarah Stewart, Education Officer to [email protected] by 2pm on Monday 15th November 2021. Interviews are planned to take part w/k beginning Mon 6thDecember 2021.
To assist us to meet the aims and commitments set out in our Equality policy, and build an accurate picture of the make-up of the workforce in encouraging equality and diversity, we ask that you also complete our EDI monitoring form, the information provided will be kept confidential and will be used for monitoring purposes only. Please note filling in this form is voluntary.
Print Archive Curator Job Description
Salary: £26,000 Pro Rata. (2 days per week) This is a 3 year funded Post
Responsible to: Director – Glasgow Print Studio
Location: Glasgow Print Studio, Trongate 103, Glasgow, G1 5HD
Outline of Main Duties:
- Ensure the continued care and maintenance of our onsite Archive in line with current industry standards.
- Continue the general upkeep of the Archive and accessioning new publications in line with current recognised Archive procedures.
- Produce condition reports when required and ensure proper procedures are carried out to manage loan requests in line with Archive procedures.
- Manage and implement the upgrading of content management system Adlib to Axiell database system to cloud storage solution
- Oversee and manage the upgrading of current images on Archive database.
- Continue the oral history research project Graphic Impact: Our Lives in Print
By carrying out oral history interviews with staff and artists & incorporate new information into existing website
- Responsible for structuring a programme of research and enriching records in collections database
- Ensure vital cataloguing and collections management skills are passed on to key members of staff and Interns
- Support and provide graduates with hands on collections work experience through internship programme.
- Contribute to the updating of web access to archive collection to improve information for a range of users.
- Facilitate sharing events and access opportunities for a wide range of users and the general public.
- To collaborate with Education Officer on educational aspects in the lead up to 50th Anniversary & beyond.
- Develop interpretation materials for collection in liaison with Education Officer including teacher’s resource packs
- To contribute to the development of archive element of education and learning strategy
Personal Specification
Essential
- A Degree in History of Fine Art
- Post graduate qualification in Museum Studies
- Sound knowledge and understanding of collections management practice
- Highly developed communication skills both written and verbal
- Demonstrable Information and Communications Technology (ICT) skills and an understanding of ICT for collections management and public access
- Experience of structuring, planning and delivering research programmes
- Experience of overseeing and managing oral history gathering
- Experience contributing to funding applications & organisation reporting
Desirable
- Understanding and knowledge of printmaking processes and artists
- Experience of staff management as well as an ability to work as part of a team
- Experience of exhibition development, education and learning strategies
- Previous experience of developing, preparing and facilitating visual arts educational activity with children, young people, academia and the general public
- Experience with volunteers and internship opportunities
Applications should be emailed FAO Sarah Stewart, Education Officer to [email protected] by 2pm on Monday 15th November 2021. Interviews are planned to take part week beginning Mon 6thDecember 2021.