Senior Archivist Confidential Artist Studio — New York A major contemporary artist studio is seeking an experienced Senior Archivist to establish and implement a comprehensive archival and cataloguing framework documenting the artist’s full body of work and related materials. This role will create the foundational documentation infrastructure supporting scholarship, institutional collaboration, exhibitions, publications, and long-term stewardship of the artist’s practice. The Archivist will translate museum-level standards into a working studio environment while maintaining flexibility appropriate to an evolving practice. The position requires sound judgment, independence, and absolute discretion. The Archivist will work directly with the artist and studio leadership to determine priorities and develop sustainable procedures for maintaining records going forward. Primary Responsibilities Archival Framework & Standards Establish documentation methodology and cataloguing standards tailored to the artist’s practice Develop metadata structure, controlled vocabularies, and record conventions Draft archival procedures and documentation guidelines for ongoing studio use Advise on policies related to research access and documentation handling Database Selection & Implementation Evaluate and recommend an appropriate collections management database Design database architecture, fields, and workflow structure Implement naming conventions, version control, and record consistency standards Integrate artwork records, images, and supporting documentation Artwork Inventory & Catalogue Development Conduct object-level inventory across studio and storage locations Catalogue artworks including: Title Date Medium and materials Dimensions Signatures, inscriptions, and distinguishing characteristics Record exhibition history, publication history, and related documentation Identify undocumented works and resolve incomplete records where possible Prepare records suitable for future scholarly and publication use Image & Digital Asset Management Reconcile and organize existing photography and digital records Match images to artworks and establish authoritative image sets Develop file storage structure and backup protocols Coordinate or conduct new photography where necessary Implement long-term digital preservation practices Storage Review & Preservation Assess current storage conditions and handling practices Identify preservation risks and stabilization priorities Recommend practical long-term storage solutions appropriate to the studio Advise on packing and environmental considerations Advisory Role Recommend technical infrastructure and equipment needs Provide guidance on archival priorities and documentation strategy Support preparation for institutional collaboration and publication initiatives Qualifications Experience working with artist studios, foundations, estates, or museum collections Demonstrated object-level artwork cataloguing experience Familiarity with collections management systems (Artlogic, TMS, FileMaker, Airtable, CollectiveAccess, or similar) Knowledge of exhibition histories, provenance tracking, and documentation standards Understanding of artwork handling and preventive conservation Exceptional organizational and research skills Ability to work independently and manage an evolving project scope Working Style & Expectations Absolute confidentiality required Self-directed and proactive approach Comfort working directly with the artist Ability to make informed decisions where documentation may be incomplete Engagement Project-based engagement; scope and duration to be determined Primarily on-site in New York Compensation commensurate with experience
