Job Summary:

This position is part of the Walt Disney Animation Research Library (ARL). The ARL is the repository for all the production artwork created by the Walt Disney Animation studio from the 1920's to the present day. We house a collection of more than 65,000,000 pieces of original artwork, which includes, but is not limited to, conceptual art, storyboards, maquettes, hand drawn production art, 3D models, textures, image files and final rendered images.

This role actively contributes to both the organization and preservation of the ARL’s production art collection as well as activities related to the digitization pipeline project. This role involves processing the physical artwork that has been identified to be digitized into the ARL’s collections management database including; placing artwork into correct production order by consulting production reference materials, re-housing artwork in appropriate archival storage materials, capturing metadata for each piece of art and cataloguing the artwork into our collections management database. This position may also be called upon to contribute to non-digitization collections projects, maintain the organization of the collection storage spaces and support the research and exhibition teams in pulling and tracking artwork.

This role is an integral member of the team of Collection, Research, Design and Image Capture Specialists who make-up the ARL, and will report to the Manager of the Collections team.

Responsibilities:

• Rehousing and organizing artwork for both the image capture pipeline and non-digitization collections projects using best museum practices in handling and housing artwork.
• This work includes reading and interpreting production information, physically re-organizing and re-housing artwork and tracking information needed for later cataloguing
• Identify damaged and/or inappropriately housed artwork and bring it to the attention of a member of the Collections team for repair assessment or re-housing
• Identify misfiled artwork and determine the correct location
• Occasionally constructing pastel trays, maquettes boxes or other types of specialized housing
• Supporting the research and exhibitions teams on an as-needed bases with pulling and organizing artwork needed for special projects
• Carefully and consistently pull, move and track the location of the collections as needed.
• During the cataloguing phase of collections projects, this role will work closely with the Archives Data Specialist to:
  • Carefully and consistently catalogue artwork in our new collections management system following procedures and nomenclature developed by the collection team
  • Cataloging work includes medium identification, artist identification, measuring and labeling, and determining the correct metadata for consistency across all films
  • Collaborate with team members on key words, and nomenclature hierarchy for consistency

Basic Qualifications:

• College degree or a minimum of 3 years of equivalent work experience
• Ability to work in a collaborative environment while also being able to work independently
• Ability to anticipate daily workload expectations and meet and maintain weekly project goals
• Experienced in handling original art using best museum practices
• Familiarity with archival methods
• Ability and willingness to follow specific in-house procedures for artwork handling
• Experience working with databases (i.e., FileMaker Pro) and spreadsheet software (i.e., Excel)
• Experience working with collections management database a plus
• Effective problem solving in a high stress/fast paced environment
• Experience working on and contributing to projects that require sustained attention and effort over a long period of time (i.e., measured in both weeks and months)
• Ability to distinguish between different art mediums, (i.e., charcoal, pastel, graphite, acrylic, etc.)
• Must be able to identify when artwork is damaged and bring it to the attention of the appropriate ARL staff member
• Ability to work independently and solve database error issues, prioritize multiple tasks and to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Knowledge of animation process and element types
• Ability to embrace change and adapt to new processes and procedures as needed
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and strong attention to detail
• Knowledge of Disney Animated Films – character names, artists, animation elements
• Appreciation of, and interest in, animation, art history and/or photography.
• Requires the physical ability to lift, push, pull or physically maneuver a minimum of 35 lbs. of materials and/or supplies