Part-Time Archival Assistant – Film & Visual Art Archive (Los Feliz, Los Angeles)

We are seeking a detail-oriented archival professional to assist with organizing and inventorying the archive of filmmaker and visual artist James Scott. A large collection of materials recently relocated from Europe to Los Angeles, the collection includes extensive journals, sketchbooks, production documents, photographs, film-related materials, and other ephemera spanning several decades of artistic practice.

Many materials are intended for eventual donation to the Academy of Motion Pictures, requiring thorough, museum-standard inventory and documentation.

This role requires not only strong archival handling skills but also a keen eye and curatorial sensibility when navigating creative materials. The archive contains layered working documents — drafts, notebooks, preparatory sketches, production files, and related artifacts — and the assistant will be expected to make informed decisions about categorization, grouping, prioritization, and the level of descriptive detail warranted for particular items.

The assistant will work closely with the studio to develop logical systems of organization while exercising independent judgment when navigating large quantities of material.

• Conduct detailed, item-level inventory of journals, sketchbooks, production files, film materials, and related documents
• Assess condition and flag preservation concerns
• Develop organized, standardized digital inventory records
• Maintain archival handling best practices
• Assist in preparing materials for institutional donation

Qualifications:

• Background in archival studies, museum studies, art history, art preservation, or related field
• Experience working with special collections, artist archives, or museum/library collections
• Highly detail-oriented, methodical, and able to work independently
• Strong organizational skills and curatorial judgment

• Two-week paid trial period
• 15–20 hours per week 
• $25–$30/hour, depending on experience
• Duration: 1–6 months (dependent on volume of materials)
• Los Feliz, Los Angeles