The Jewish Museum

JOB DESCRIPTION

DATE:                          January 2014

DEPARTMENT:         Program Administration

TITLE:                         Rights and Reproductions Coordinator

SCHEDULE:             Full time

REPORTS TO:          Digital Assets Manager

FLSA STATUS:          Non-exempt

The Rights and Reproductions Coordinator serves as the rights, permissions, and licensing expert for The Jewish Museum (TJM). This position oversees all policies, procedures and activities involving intellectual property rights for the Museum’s permanent collection, loans of art for temporary exhibitions, publications and other assets and programs.

The position is responsible for managing and coordinating the acquisition of reproduction rights and permissions, as well as licensing fees, for images in all media for use in the museum’s exhibitions, public programs, publications, advertising and promotions.

In addition, the Rights & Reproduction Specialist will work with the museum’s licensing partner (currently Art Resource), licensing museum-generated materials to third parties for all media, including images, text, film and other audiovisual work.

This newly created position will work with TJM colleagues to centralize the distribution of, and access to, still image, video and other digital asset rights information for museum staff and external clients.

Some duties include:

  • Collaborate on the development and maintenance of a rights data management system based on The Museum System (TMS) and the Museum’s DAMS (Piction)
  • Update and maintain database of activities related to internal and external copyright and permissions including status, purpose, expenditures, approvals, expiration date and procedures for renewal
  • Conduct research to determine image and artist rights, ownership of copyright and required clearances
  • Correspond with rights owner(s) or legal representatives concerning copyright and permissions.
  • Secure image rights for use in publications, exhibitions, and website, as well as for public relations and marketing use
  • Secure blanket permissions or non-exclusive contracts for new acquisitions when possible
  • Work closely with ARS, VAGA, and other licensors to acquire rights for both commercial and educational image reproduction
  • Develop and document best practices to protect the museum from liability and maintain expertise in copyright law
  • Update and maintain current copyright notices and related rights information regarding all sections on the museum website
  • Provide due diligence in cases of potential orphan works and unknown copyright assertion
  • Work closely with Curatorial Departments, Collections Management, Publications, Education, Communications and Marketing, the Museum Shop and other staff
  • Procure images and other materials for reproduction in publications and exhibitions ensuring that all assets obtained meet the Museum’s guidelines for reproduction
  • Coordinate and oversee image license agreements with Art Resource
  • Assist in bringing existing rights records up to appropriate standards
  • Write image captions and photo credits when necessary

The ideal candidate will be an individual who is creative, results-driven, energetic, dedicated, diplomatic, and able to maintain a sense of humor and grace under pressure.

The ideal candidate will also have:

  • A B.A. ideally in Museum Studies or a related field
  • At least 3 years of experience in a rights acquisition position preferably within an art museum or image archive
  • A thorough understanding of intellectual property law, including “fair use” and similar copyright issues, is required.
  • Basic understanding of digital imaging standards and formats
  • Familiarity with TMS, digital asset management systems, and print and media technologies is preferred
  • The ability to work collaboratively with others as part of a team as well as independently
  • Excellent oral and written communications skills
  • Project management skills and an obsession with data management
  • The drive to improve and expand the distribution of and access to the museum’s Permanent Collection and Exhibition assets

Please submit resume, cover letter, and salary requirements to:

Director, Human Resources

The Jewish Museum

1109 Fifth Avenue

New York, NY 10128

FAX: 212.423.3232

Email: jobs@thejm.org

The Jewish Museum is an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.