Freelance Collections Documentation Specialist (Short-Term Contract) — Private Collection, Vancouver
On-siteVancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Job Summary
Conduct structured, in-person interviews with the collector to capture provenance, acquisition history, cultural context, and biographical details for ethnographic and historical artifacts. Take clear, well-lit reference photographs of each item and assign a unique, sequentially generated catalog number within an Excel spreadsheet. Attach a corresponding rubber band tag to each physical piece to maintain linkage between the item and its written record. Log item descriptions, dimensions, materials, condition notes, and photo references while flagging items requiring special handling due to fragility or uncertain provenance. Deliver a complete package including the spreadsheet, named photo files, and supplementary notes upon contract completion. This short-term, intensive on-site engagement supports the relocation of a private collection to the United States, working collaboratively with the collector at their Vancouver residence.
Required Qualifications
- Strong written communication skills
- Comfort and confidence working independently
- Good judgment
- Attention to detail
- Basic photography skills
- Comfortable spending extended time in a private home
- Comfortable working closely and respectfully with an older individual
- Based in or able to work in Vancouver, BC
- Understanding and proficiency with business tools and technology including Microsoft Office
- Advanced proficiency with Excel
- Advanced proficiency with Access
- Advanced proficiency with Outlook
- Advanced proficiency with PowerPoint
- Advanced proficiency with Word
- Proficiency with Adobe Acrobat
- Ability to quickly learn other tools as needed
Desired Qualifications
- Master's in Arts
- Early-career cataloger
- Archivist
- Museum studies professional
- Current gallery or museum position
- Other freelance commitments
- Some background or coursework in museum studies
- Coursework in archival work
- Coursework in anthropology
- Coursework in art history
- Coursework in journalism
- Related field background
- Care and rigor
- A good camera
- Smartphone
- Security clearance
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