Contract Art Museum Editor Opportunity
REQUEST FOR QUOTATION
Application deadline: March 1, 2019
Anticipated start date: April 1, 2019
Contract Editor and Exhibition’s Assistant (2019–2020), Temporary, one year position
- Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden; 7th Street and Independence Avenue SW; Washington, DC, 20560.
- 30–40 hours per week. Working hours are Monday through Friday; 9:00 am–5:00 pm.
- The individual will need to be in the Museum office most days, but some remote work is possible.
The Smithsonian plans to award this contract based on best value to the Smithsonian, taking into account the following factors when making its selection:
- Relevant past experience
- Technical Competence
- Knowledge of art history
- Familiarity with museum working processes
The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden is currently seeking an individual to work as an assistant editor and exhibition assistant, on a contract basis, to assist with editorial projects involving exhibitions, communications, advancement, public programs, the website, and publications. The individual needs to be extremely detail-oriented and self-motivated, and in addition to the requisite writing and editing capabilities, he or she should possess excellent interpersonal skills. The candidate must be very familiar with the Chicago Manual of Style guidelines and have one to five years of experience working in an editorial setting. Ideally, the individual will also have experience working at an art museum.
While editorial work will serve as the central part of this position, the incumbent will also assist the Manager of Exhibition and Curatorial Planning in administrative and basic organizational tasks related to the managing and logging of project management and budgetary information related to the Hirshhorn’s exhibition program.
DUTIES
- Work with Hirshhorn curators and the Hirshhorn’s Senior Editor to edit exhibition didactic text and labels.
- Edit all website content to ensure that the language is grammatically correct, accurate, effective, and consistent with the Hirshhorn’s style.
- Edit and assist with writing advancement materials, including prospectuses, brochures, grant applications, gala programs, handbooks for board meetings, and letters.
- Assist the Senior Editor in the preparation of text and art manuscripts for book publications.
- Edit press releases and media alerts.
- Draft and edit invitation text.
- Edit materials for visitor services, including maps and visitor guides.
- Edit exhibition ephemera, including brochures and rack cards; advertisements and marketing materials; and museum signage.
- Edit public program announcements, event calendars, and other public program materials.
- Work with the Hirshhorn’s Senior Editor to communicate with other staff members regarding the preferred style guidelines.
- Work with the Hirshhorn’s Senior Editor to update the Hirshhorn’s style guide.
- Assist the Senior Editor with photo research; coordinating acquisition of images and copyright permissions from artists, estates, galleries, museums, and others according to federal procurement policies; and write captions for material provided by or gathered for curators and external authors. Track, coordinate paperwork, and maintain files for all photo orders and license agreements.
- Attend select exhibition team meetings for projects to which the contractor is assigned as the editorial point-person by the Senior Editor and/or the Manager of Exhibition and Curatorial Planning.
- Assist Manager of Exhibition and Curatorial Planning with administrative texts, budget entry, basic procurement tasks, drafting and editing of team meeting notes, and other duties as assigned.
APPLICATION PROCESS
For receipt by MARCH 1, 2019
Please send the following materials to Lawrence Hyman, Manager of Exhibition and Curatorial Planning.
- Cover letter
- Resume
- Writing sample
- Hourly fee requirements
Application materials may be sent via email to: HymanL@si.edu,
Or, by FedEx/Courier:
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
Independence Avenue at Seventh Street SW
Washington, DC 20560
Attn: Lawrence Hyman / MRC 353
Or, by U.S. Post:
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
P.O. Box 37012 / MRC 353
Washington, DC 20013-7012
Attn: Lawrence Hyman
For additional information, please contact Lawrence Hyman, Manager of Exhibition and Curatorial Planning, at HymanL@si.edu.
Insurance Requirements
Note: Contractor can elect enrollment in the commercial general liability policy for Smithsonian contractors for a fee if they do not have their own policy. If they do have their own policy, and if selected, contractor shall maintain commercial general liability coverage in the minimum amount of $1,000,000 per occurrence for liabilities arising out of the contractor’s activities pertaining to this contract. This policy shall provide coverage for bodily injury, property damage, contractual liability, products and completed operations, and person and advertising injury. Smithsonian shall be listed as an “additional insured” under this policy. Contractor shall provide a certificate of insurance evidencing the required coverage prior to commencing under the contract.
System for Award Management (SAM) registration (formerly CCR)
If selected, contractor must complete registration and maintain an active record in the System for Award Management (SAM). The SAM requires a one-time business registration, with annual updates, and allows vendors to control the accuracy of the business information they enter. The financial data you enter, which includes the electronic funds transfer (EFT) data collected by SAM, will assist the SI in paying your invoices and complying with the Federal Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996. You may complete or update your information in SAM online at http://sam.gov. Questions regarding the process may be directed to the Federal Service Desk online at www.fsd.gov or via toll free call to 1-888-606-8220. There is no charge for registering in SAM.