Processing Archivist and Cataloger

Background in Black visual art history or Chicago public history.

$25.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the

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Inspects, cleans, repairs, digitizes, and creates access files for the majority of the remaining Ramon Williams films, with assistance from the Project Manager.

This includes conducting inventory and condition assessments, preparing film materials for digitization workflows, and coordinating specialized preservation processes when required.

Creates, edits, and manages metadata records for audiovisual materials using established cataloging standards and SSHMP’s adapted controlled vocabulary.

Conducts research to identify people, places, events, and cultural references depicted in the films, ensuring accurate, inclusive, and context-rich descriptions.

Ingests digitized files into SSHMP’s digital archive and ensures materials are accessible through its online platform.

Performs quality control on digitized files and metadata records to ensure accuracy, consistency, and completeness.

Founded in 2005 by Dr. Jacqueline Stewart, the South Side Home Movie Project (SSHMP) is dedicated to collecting, preserving, digitizing, exhibiting, and researching the rich tapestry of home movies created by Chicago's South Side residents. More than just an archive, SSHMP empowers individuals and families to share their cherished memories and unique perspectives, creating an unparalleled visual record. We ensure the vibrant cultures and evolving narratives of the South Side are preserved for generations to come and celebrated as a vital thread in the history of the city of Chicago.

Today, SSHMP holds more than 1,200 reels of small-gauge film – 16mm, 8mm, and Super-8mm footage shot by South Siders spanning from the 1930s to the 1980s. As part of UChicago’s Arts + Public Life, the South Side Home Movie Project goes far beyond traditional archival boundaries, acting as a cultural steward that brings together a community of donors, students, artists, practitioners, and neighbors to explore a wide range of educational and creative reuse initiatives.

Job Summary

The South Side Home Movie Project (SSHMP) seeks a part-time Processing Archivist for a two-year term to support the implementation of its Getty Foundation-funded project, Black Visual Arts in Motion: Activating Mid-20th Century Home Movies from Chicago’s South Side. This project focuses on processing and describing the Ramon Williams Collection and identifying key figures and events from the Black Chicago Renaissance. SSHMP is a community-centered archival initiative dedicated to collecting, preserving, digitizing, and making accessible home movies created by residents of Chicago’s South Side, advancing a vital visual record of underrepresented histories.

Working under the supervision of SSHMP leadership, including the Project Director and Project Manager, the Processing Archivist and Cataloger will play a central role in processing, digitizing, and describing audiovisual materials. The position is responsible for ensuring that materials are preserved, described, and made publicly accessible in alignment with professional archival standards and SSHMP’s community-centered stewardship model.

This position is for the term of 9/01/2026 to 8/31/2028. A hybrid position, most work will be conducted on-site at Logan Center for the Arts, with the option to work remotely up to 25% of the time.