Museum Photographer [National Music Museum]

Review of applications will begin November 10, 2014.

Position:  The Museum Photographer will be the primary staff member charged with all aspects of the photography of the National Music Museum’s collection of more than 15,000 musical instruments, related artifacts, and archives, as well as occasional event photography.  Incumbent will have knowledge of all aspects of the digital photography of objects, as well as safe object handling, processing of digital images, embedding metadata into individual image files, creating derivative image files, and managing the museum’s digital assets.

Essential Functions:

• Collaborate with NMM staff, providing leadership when appropriate, in establishing and maintaining best practices for the use of photography toward fulfilling the NMM’s mission.
• Provide support to NMM staff for all photographic needs related to cataloging, research, publishing, and collections management.
• Provide support for any museum activities with needs for images, video, and visual design.

Specific tasks (may include, but are not limited to the following):

• Photograph a wide variety of musical instruments for documentation, research, print and electronic publications following professional museum standards.
• Make judgments about proper object and art handling, lighting, and safe handling of equipment.
• Produce digital image files with various types of digital cameras.
• Produce digital image files from original negatives, slides, and color transparencies that are already in the museum’s collection.
• Process digital image files following museum standards for color management, file naming, metadata tagging, and storage.  Produce derivative image files from master image files.
• Work with Senior Curator and Collections Manager to discover, recommend, implement, and manage an improved method of digital asset management that will provide all staff the ability to access new derivative image files, legacy digital images, and archival digital assets.
• Manage digital files and metadata for the museum’s TMS collections management database.
• Work closely with museum staff to manage photography workflow and object movement.
• In collaboration with museum staff, set and meet project goals and deadlines. Record and interpret digital imaging statistics for reports and reviews.
• Assist with selection and maintenance of digital imaging equipment.
• Advise staff about scanning of photographs into computers for editing and electronic transmission.
• Take photos of the museum facility, as well as special events, for use in promotional materials.
• Supervise photo shoots (including magazine, television, newspaper, etc.) at museum.
• Order printing and additional photo services from local vendors, as required.
• Assist Collections Manager with retrieval and re-shelving of objects, artwork, and archival items to be photographed.
• Have knowledge of basic curatorial and conservation issues relating to museum collections including safe handling and current best practices for disaster preparedness.
• Assist curators, collection manager, conservators, librarians, and archivists to implement best practices in museum photography.
• Assist with moving of instruments for use in public programming and recordings.
• Assist curatorial and collections management staff in the transport, installation and de-installation of artifacts for exhibitions and loans.
• Assist Senior Curator with management and fulfillment of requests for photographic reproductions/publications (including contracts with outside photographers).
• Assist with development of graphic artwork in a variety of media to support publication requirements.
• Shoot videos and assist with editing for various marketing projects.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding all sensitive museum information.
• Other duties as assigned may include (depending upon experience and need), but are not limited to:  assist staff with supervision of visiting researchers; assist with supervision and training of volunteers, interns, work-study students, and graduate students; participate in continued development/maintenance of multi-media tour app.

  Level of Responsibility: Reports to Director and Associate Director/Senior Curator of Musical Instruments; consults with other Curators, Collections Manager, Conservator, Communications Manager; helps supervise work-study employees, interns and volunteers, as appropriate.

Desired Skills:

• Professional photographic training from an accredited program or institution
• Familiarity with Windows and Mac computing systems
• Expert knowledge of software for image and video processing, such as Adobe Photoshop/Audition/Lightroom, Final Cut, etc.
• Expert knowledge of the equipment needs for specialized object photography, such as musical instruments, and the operation/maintenance of such
• Knowledge of professional office software including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Access, PowerPoint)
• Experience with general event photography
• Familiarity with Digital Asset Management software
• Knowledge of musical instruments
• Business English to include spelling, grammar, and punctuation
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills
• Ability to solve problems effectively, efficiently, and creatively
• Ability to work under pressure and prioritize work to meet competing deadlines
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team, have excellent organizational skills, be able to pay attention to a high level of detail with minimal supervision, and demonstrate a positive and flexible attitude
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings/weekends as necessary
• Some physical activity such as climbing ladders, lifting, and kneeling is required for this position

Application  Procedure:   Application should include a cover letter, resume, unofficial copy of graduate school or college transcript(s), names and phone numbers of three professional references.  A CD must be submitted that includes 5 -10 jpegs of images that reflect the candidate’s ability to work in a studio environment with artificial lighting.  The CD must be readable on a PC computer where the widest dimension is no larger than 1800 pixels at 150 ppi.  Please submit only color photographs.  Any examples of work shot in studio settings, including portraits and still lifes, as well musical instruments and other three-dimensional material objects, are acceptable.

Submit application by email to Margaret.Banks@usd.edu and send CD by regular mail to:

Dr. Margaret Downie Banks, Associate Director

National Music Museum

University of South Dakota

414 E. Clark Street

Vermilion SD  57069

Application Deadline:  Review of applications will begin November 10, 2014.  Search will continue until position is filled.