Mecca Flats Archives Researcher
Mecca Flats Archives Researcher
Location: Chicago, IL
Pay Rate: $12,600 stipend
Position Type: Part-time; 20–25 hours per week for a fixed project term
About Floating Museum:
Floating Museum is an innovative arts organization dedicated to exploring the intricate connections between art, community, architecture, and public institutions. Through site-responsive art, design, and programming, we strive to unearth the vast potential within these relationships while taking into consideration the infrastructure, history, and aesthetics of the spaces we engage with. Our mission is to inspire creativity, foster inclusivity, and promote cultural engagement in our ever-evolving urban landscapes.
Project Overview:
Floating Monuments: Mecca Flats is a large-scale and moveable public work of art and exhibition platform which will be created as an inflatable architectural monument that references Mecca Flats, a historic building on Chicago’s South Side. Mecca Flats was significant to the city’s cultural and social history but was razed during urban renewal efforts. The floating monument will be installed in public spaces starting in the summer of 2025 and accompanied by programming that both celebrates the arts and artists associated with Mecca Flats and examines the legacy of displacement and disinvestment in Chicago.
The project seeks to explore what it means to conjure up the ghosts of past architecture through a complicated monument that intersects with histories of colonialism, capitalism, urban planning, cultural production, and a contested building envelope. This interdisciplinary project blurs the lines between architecture, sculpture, performance, and institutional partnerships to model a pluralistic approach to monumentality.
Position Overview:
The Floating Museum: Mecca Flats Archives Researcher Position is a paid eight-month fixed-term position with the possibility for extension. The archives researchers will work directly under the supervision of the lead archivist to conduct original research in order to inform the project's design, goals, and themes. The archives researchers will initially participate in an intensive training, which will include archival management instruction, completing assigned readings, and attending in-person field trips. They will learn about various types of archival repositories, the procedures and policies related to conducting archival research, how to apply archival research to art-based (and other) projects all while incorporating their interests as emerging professionals.
The archives researchers will be responsible for conducting research visits at various institutions and community archives throughout the Chicagoland area. They will be provided with equipment and resources to successfully complete in-the-field research assignments, including transportation costs. The archivist and archives researchers will work collaboratively with the Floating Museum co-executive directors by discussing the ongoing development of the archives research arm of the project and contributing to all public programming events in relation to the project.
Compensation and Commitment:
Part-Time: Flexibility for days worked: 20–25 hours per week for a fixed project term
Compensation: $12,600 project-based stipend
The Floating Museum team is committed to providing a safe and ethical work environment, supplies, and equipment to support efficient work development and to an overall spirit of reciprocal communication. The expectations of the Mecca Flats Archives Research Interns are to be fully present and onsite when requested, to be responsible for carrying out and completing all assignments, and to contribute to an overall positive work environment by way of open and effective communication.
Position Eligibility:
- Current undergraduate seniors.
- Current graduate students.
- Those who have recently graduated from an undergraduate or master’s-level program within twelve months of the application deadline.
- PhD students who have not yet achieved candidacy.
- Archives and archival management-adjacent, memory workers; and people who have been engaged in collecting, archiving, working with personal, community and/or movement materials.
Requirements
All archives researchers employed by Floating Museum must have valid U.S. work authorization. If you are not a U.S. citizen nor a permanent resident with authorization and a social security number, please provide valid status under U.S. regulations. The Floating Museum is unable to sponsor visas.
How to Apply
Application deadline: November 25, 2024 (12am CST)
Notification: December 2, 2024 (5pm CST)
Interested candidates are invited to submit the application materials listed below to skyla@floatingmuseum.org and
Please include: “Archives Researcher Application - [Your Name]” in the subject line.
If you need an access accommodation or have a question regarding available accommodations, or if you need this application in an alternative format to successfully submit your candidacy, please contact gail@floatingmuseum.org.
The application requires:
- A one-page cover letter or personal essay highlighting interest in the position
- An unofficial transcript
- A résumé describing any recent work and (if possible) including extracurricular experiences related to research projects, public programs, community/personal/movement archives work
- 1-2 letters of recommendation, one of which must be from a supervisor, professor or instructor who knows you in the context of research-related, academic, and/or community archiving work
- 2 references: One professional and one personal
Interviews
Interviews are for finalists. If you are selected as a finalist, we will contact you directly to set up a virtual interview.
Floating Museum is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences.
