Exhibition Research and Development Fellow – Olmsted 200
Reports to: Katie Martin Peck, Associate Director for Campus Environment at University of Chicago
Library Contact: Andrea Twiss-Brooks, Director Humanities and Area Studies/Interim Director Special Collections
General Summary:
Exhibitions are exciting opportunities to tell compelling visual stories with a wide range of library, archival, and special collections materials. Developing exhibitions is an interdisciplinary team effort that can involve curatorial subject specialists, research assistants, graphic designers, preservationists, archivists, rare book curators, editors, IT specialists, gallery preparators, and others. Online exhibition development involves research, developing a central narrative, outlining learning objectives, writing concise exhibition text, defining graphic identities, creating audio-visual support materials, and more.
One of the University of Chicago-planned exhibits in conjunction with 2022-2023’s celebration of the bicentennial of the birth of American landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted will be a curated selection of archival photos of the Midway Plaisance and University of Chicago main quadrangle, both of which were shaped by Olmsted’s designs. The photos will be displayed online with an historical description for each image, credit information, and geocoordinates for the approximate vantage point from which the photo was taken. The exhibit will also be accessible via QR codes mounted at the actual vantage points on campus; mounted plaques will include a brief description and graphic prompts encouraging passersby to view the digital content for comparisons of the locations, “then and now.” Images will highlight 12 or more locations, in some cases featuring multiple photos taken over time to show the evolutions of the landscape. All images will also direct viewers to additional information drawn from the University’s archives.
The Exhibition Research and Development Fellow will work to collect, review, and help select images for use in this exhibit, as well as providing detailed historical descriptions to provide context for each image. The research will primarily be focused on historical images of Olmsted designs but other interesting images that portray different uses or eras are also potential options for inclusion. The selection, review and general scope of work will be guided by Katie Martin Peck, University of Chicago Landscape Architect and will incorporate feedback from other University staff and consultant researchers focused on the Olmsted legacy on and around campus. The primary resources used for image searches will be the University of Chicago Library’s Special Collections and archival Chicago Parks District historical images available from Chicago Public Library. This position will create credit information as part of this process and have creative input into the exhibit’s final form and related promotional programming. The Fellow may gain experience in one or more digital humanities tools/platforms, such as Omeka or Scalar. The Fellow will gain familiarity with the range of professional careers in the educational and cultural heritage fields that participate in exhibition development.
Specific activities may include:
- Support the curatorial research process by identifying and summarizing archival photos and historical materials that support the theme and discussion of the exhibition
- Identify and articulate key learning objectives
- Assist in label writing and editing
- Participate in the exhibition design process with others on the team to outline graphic considerations and develop the exhibit’s overall aesthetic
- Gain insight and understanding of central preservation considerations that guide item treatment, exhibition production, and collection safety
- Participate in exhibition development meetings
- Assist in online exhibition production work
- Work on designing and creating audio-visual exhibition components
- Assist with the planning of outreach events
Qualifications:
- Enrolled in a UChicago graduate program and in good academic standing during the period of the fellowship
- Familiarity with use of original research materials, including digital image resources and historical archives
- Strong written and oral communication skills
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools
- Some experience with historical research and methods is a benefit but not a strict requirement
Hours and Schedule: Approximately 15 hours per week
Stipend: $3300 for quarter (approximately 10 weeks)
Start Date: Fall 2022
To Apply:
Students currently enrolled in a UChicago graduate program and in good academic standing during the period of the fellowship are invited to submit a resume and cover letter highlighting their interest and relevant background experience to Katie Martin Peck, Associate Director for Campus Environment at University of Chicago, katie2@uchicago.edu. Applications received by September 15, 2022 will receive assured consideration, with the opportunity remaining open until fellowship is awarded.