Open Call: Queens Museum Archive Project

Information Session: March 26, 5-6pm via Zoom

Application Deadline: April 5, 11:59pm EST

Click here to access the application form.

Situated knowledges are about communities, not about isolated individuals. The only way to find a larger vision is to be somewhere in particular.
— Donna Haraway

The Queens Museum (QM) is pleased to announce an open call for three Queens-based collaborators interested in learning about our collection of art and the local context of Queens. This project recognizes and uplifts diverse narratives, lived experiences, and forms of expertise. Looking specifically at the art collection at the Queens Museum, this project will consider:

• Why were the artworks the Museum collected important or significant in the moment they were collected? 
• How might we add texture to the narratives they share or historical legacies they are a part of? 
• What can we learn from these artworks in conversation with one another? 
• What dialogues do these artworks spark in the current day?

Three collaborators will be selected for a four-month engagement (May-August 2024) within the Exhibitions department, working closely with the Archives and Collections team and curators. Over three days per week, these individuals will do significant work researching and cataloging in the art collection, and are required to commit to being on-site for all three days over this four-month period. This project will be the first of its kind at QM: a participatory process of interpretation that considers narratives of American art and how the Museum’s collection can engage audiences in an imaginative way.

For this opportunity, the three grantees will work a total of 20 hours per week (3 days) with no additional benefits. 

Participants receive:  

• Archival training that includes cataloging, art handling, database management, research of historical objects and artworks.
• An introduction to working with and gathering groups of people together toward a common aim, with an emphasis on public speaking, preparing presentations, and presenting information to a general audience
• $25 per hour for their work three days per week (20 total hours per week)
• Transportation costs (monthly metrocard) for four month work period
• Professional development and mentorship opportunities from QM staff across all departments

Eligibility:

• Must reside in NYC from the beginning to the end of the opportunity. Queens-connected individuals from all walks of life are encouraged to apply
• Must be available to undertake this work on-site, Monday–Friday.
• Must be able to provide documentary evidence of eligibility for employment in the United States
• We encourage applications from individuals who have language skills in addition to English including but not limited to ASL, Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Arabic

Qualifications:

• A commitment to values of inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility 
• An interest in intersectional thinking and learning in community
• A team player who can follow directions, remain attentive to details, and manage their time effectively
• Readiness to serve as a point of contact and conversation with a variety of individuals, remaining sensitive to and interested in an array of cultural and personal contexts 
• Interest in archives, art, exhibitions, research, collaboration, Queens history, and/or desire to connect with Queens audiences specifically
• Some basic understanding of Google Suite and organizational systems helpful
• Optional writing sample to be submitted

Selection Process and Onboarding:

• A jury of QM staff from the Exhibitions & Programs department will review and shortlist applications based on their cover letters and past experiences.
• Shortlisted candidates will join a short Zoom interview with a small group of QM staff (April 2024)
• Finalists will attend a second in-person interview at QM (April 2024)
• Selected participants will begin work in April/May 2024, with the first day being remote for Human Resources orientation.
• Once selected, participants will work with the Collections team to determine work days, a schedule for weekly meetings, and rotating assignments related to this project.

Equity, Access, and Inclusion

Equity, Access, and Inclusion are at the forefront of all our initiatives. The Queens Museum proudly welcomes residents and visitors to participate in and enjoy our programs in an inclusive, diverse, equitable, artistic, and educational environment. Community is at the center of the QM’s work. We collaborate with neighbors and community partners across the borough of Queens to serve our uniquely diverse audiences.

We seek to provide every resident with an equal opportunity to pursue their creative practice and share their work with the public/community.

The Queens Museum is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race ancestry, religion, national origin, immigration status, age, disability, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, sexual and reproductive health decisions, familial status, HIV status, caregiver status, conviction record, domestic victim status, unemployment status, military service, credit history, salary history, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. Our management team is dedicated to this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities and general treatment during employment. Our commitment to equal opportunity employment applies to all persons involved in our operations and prohibits unlawful discrimination by any employee, including supervisors and co-workers.

The QM’s studios are situated on the ground floor of the building with gender neutral ADA-accessible bathrooms and a communal lunch area. The QM is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for physical or cognitive needs. If you have any questions or would like to know more about the building and our programs in relation to your accessibility needs, or if you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, please contact us at idea@queensmuseum.org or by phone at (718) 592-9700 ext. 145.