Head of Archives

COMPANY OVERVIEW

The Mike Kelley Foundation for the Arts advances the artist’s spirit of critical thinking, risk-taking, and provocation in the arts. Established by Kelley in 2007, the Foundation seeks to further Kelley’s philanthropic work through grants to arts organizations and artists for innovative projects that reflect his multifaceted artistic practice. The Foundation also preserves the artist’s legacy more broadly and advances the understanding of his life and creative achievements through educational initiatives, including exhibitions, educational events, publications, and the preservation and care of the Foundation’s art collections and archives.

At MKFA, we are a small team that works closely together. No task is too small, as we understand that every responsibility contributes to advancing our mission.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Head of Archives provides strategic and operational leadership for the Mike Kelley Foundation for the Arts archives, which includes original papers, records, audiovisual materials, born-digital assets, and substantial digital holdings related to Mike Kelley’s life and work, as well as the institutional records of the Foundation.

Building upon a substantially processed archive, the Head of Archives focuses on stewardship, access, preservation, and the continued development of systems and policies that support research, exhibitions, publications, educational initiatives, and future catalogue raisonné projects.

The position oversees archival operations, manages archival systems and preservation activities, supervises archival staff and contractors, and collaborates with colleagues across the Foundation to ensure archival collections and records remain accessible, well-documented, and responsibly managed.

The Head of Archives serves as the Foundation’s lead archival professional, providing expertise in archival standards, digital preservation, researcher access, and records stewardship while contributing to broader institutional planning and special projects.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for the Foundation’s archives, including planning, budgeting, staffing, and reporting.
• Advance access to and engagement with archival collections through the development of researcher services, educational initiatives, and other mission-aligned programs; provide advanced reference support as needed.
• Supervise archival staff, interns, contractors, and project-based consultants.
• Develop, implement, and assess policies, procedures, and workflows related to archival operations, researcher access, and records stewardship.
• Guide appraisal, preservation, access, and stewardship decisions for archival collections and institutional records.
• Oversee archival processing activities and establish priorities for arrangement, description, preservation, digitization, and access projects.
• Administer and maintain archival systems and repositories, including ArchivesSpace, Archive-It Vault, and related preservation and access platforms.
• Develop and maintain workflows for born-digital archives, web archives, and digital preservation activities.
• Collaborate with collections staff to support connections between archival resources, artwork records, exhibition histories, and related research tools.
• Maintain exhibition history authority records and related archival data in support of research, publications, and future catalogue raisonné initiatives.
• Oversee archival facilities and storage environments to ensure appropriate preservation conditions, security, and environmental stability.
• Manage archival vendors, preservation consultants, and related service providers.
• Collaborate with the Director of Administration and Operations on matters relating to institutional records stewardship, archival transfer, and long-term preservation.
• Collaborate with Foundation staff, consultants, and vendors on information management and digital asset initiatives to ensure archival and preservation requirements are represented.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned in support of the Foundation’s mission.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of archival standards, descriptive metadata practices, and best practices, including DACS, EAD, Dublin Core, authority control, and related guidelines pertaining to description, access, preservation, and security.
• Experience writing, implementing, and assessing policies and workflows related to the management of physical and digital collections.
• Demonstrated experience administering or working extensively with ArchivesSpace or comparable archival management systems.
• Demonstrated experience with digitization projects, born-digital archives, and digital preservation.
• Knowledge of 20th- and 21st-century art and experience with artists’ archives preferred.
• Proficiency in FileMaker Pro and other database platforms, Microsoft Office applications, and Mac and PC computers; strong technical ability to evaluate and learn new software to support innovative strategies for preserving and cataloging archival materials.
• Strong decision-making, problem-solving, project management, and time-management skills, with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple assignments and deadlines within a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Active participation in the archives profession preferred.
• Self-motivated, highly organized, with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team environment.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in Library Science, Information Studies, or a related field, with a concentration in archives management preferred, or an equivalent combination of relevant education and work experience.
• Seven or more years of progressively responsible archival experience, including experience managing archival projects, digital preservation initiatives, systems, staff, or contractors.

SCHEDULE, WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Position works in our Los Angeles location (Highland Park) during standard business hours Monday to Friday, 9 am – 5 pm and may require travel to storage facilities and other venues with which the Foundation does business.
• Periodically may require lifting, moving 40lb. boxes.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license
• This position will require a background check and professional references.

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by the employee assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Duties and responsibilities may be revised or assigned as organizational needs evolve.

We are seeking to hire the Head of Archives as soon as possible to support the continued growth of our organization. Applicants are encouraged to apply early. Interviews will be on a rolling basis.

We are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. Everyone is welcome and our employees are comfortable bringing their authentic selves to work. We believe that diversity drives innovation and allows employees to do their best work.

In California, the relationship between employer and employee is “at will.” This means that, without an employment contract, the employer or the employee can terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause.

It is the policy of Mike Kelley Foundation for the Arts to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

We will consider for employment all qualified Applicants, including those with Criminal Histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.

Applicants are encouraged to apply early to our Mike Kelley Foundation for the Arts Recruiting page HERE. Interviews will be on a rolling basis.

No calls or emails please.