Library and Archive Intern Overview:The studio of contemporary artist Cai Guo-Qiang (Cai Studio) is looking for a summer library and archive intern. This position will primarily be in the New York studio in Manhattan, though occasional travel may be assigned as needed.The intern will primarily be responsible for organizing and cataloguing the studio’s reference library, though other work may be assigned as needed. This internship is well suited to someone interested in working in contemporary art and art archives, particularly in the context of a fast-paced, living-artist archive that is continually growing and expanding.The internship will run for 3 months during the summer. The intern is expected to work 3-4 days per week, from 10:00 AM-6:00 PM. This is a fully in-person position.Compensation is $17/hour. About Cai Studio:Under the direction of the artist, Cai Studio oversees the fabrication of original artworks, the coordination of public exhibitions, and the conception and production of related publications. The archive department is one of the four main departments (projects, archives, collections/tech, and administration) at the studio. This department is responsible for cataloging and maintaining photographs, videos, and printed documentation of artworks, the art making process, and exhibitions from the earliest stages of the artist’s career up to the present day. The team contributes to a wider understanding of the arts by supporting publications, exhibitions, and scholarship. Responsibilities:Reshelve library books, following the established organization systemEnsure that all books are properly stored, with adequate space between books, so as not to cause any damageCreate library labels for incoming, unlabeled, or mislabeled booksDigitize archival materials related to the artist’s bibliography, following digitization standards and file naming protocolsRehouse and digitize press materials related to the artist’s bibliography, locating outside vendors for oversized materialsLearn to search and find project information on the CollectiveAccess database to help identify the materialsPerform other duties and tasks to assist the archivists, as assignedQualificationsRequired:Bachelor’s degreeBackground and/or interest in archives, libraries, and preservationStrong organizational skills and attention to detailAbility to follow established workflows and documentation protocolsBasic proficiency with Excel spreadsheetsBackground and/or interest in contemporary art and art historyAbility to carry and lift heavy boxes and objects (up to 30 lbs.), including up and down stairs Preferred:Current or recent MSLIS studentExperience working with databases and digitizing archival materialsFamiliarity with working with CollectiveAccess or other DAMSFluency in Chinese strongly preferredProficiency in Japanese a plus Interested applicants should send a resume and brief cover letter to nystudio.search@gmail.com with the subject line “Library and Archive Intern”.
