Head of Archives and Special Collections (FT Position)

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Center for Craft, a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization located in downtown Asheville, North Carolina, is seeking a Head of Archives and Special Collections to lead the establishment and day-to-day management of the Community Craft Library & Archives, which will become a home, resource, and destination for studying expansive craft histories. These collections contain valuable information and resources for independent researchers, educators, students, collectors, curators, scholars, writers, publishers, artists, hobbyists, and craft appreciators. By stewarding and activating these invaluable resources, the Center aims to broaden access, expand the holdings, and catalyze new research to ensure that craft’s evolving histories continue to be explored, understood, celebrated, and shared for generations to come.

This is a hands-on, mid-career role for an archivist/special collections professional who has a proven track record of creating strategic access plans, building systems, and offering excellent public services—all while partnering across departments to integrate the collections with other programs to impact the craft field and communities. The successful candidate will manage the access, care, and maintenance of archival and special collections, including supporting the development of collections policies, plans, and procedures, as well as processing, arranging, and describing unprocessed materials and liaising with a Community Advisory Committee.

A core mandate of this role is to oversee the relocation of the American Craft Council Library & Archives Collection to Asheville, and its integration with the Center’s holdings, culminating in a public opening currently projected for 2028. Collections consist of 25,000+ digital records and over 400 linear feet of archival materials, including artist/individual files and organizational records such as photographs, slides, negatives, oral histories, ephemera, and digital holdings, among others. In addition, the position will manage a reference library consisting of more than 20,000 books, exhibition catalogs, publications, and other resources. Special Collections also includes a materials collection with over 100 samples of common and novel craft materials.

Compensation: This position is full-time and exempt, with occasional evenings/weekends, and reports to the Director of Programs and Curator. The starting salary is $75,000, with full benefits, including Medical/Dental, Life Insurance, LTD and STD, and 401K, as well as five weeks of paid leave and recognized federal holidays. This position is required onsite and is a functional member of the Operations Team. Relocation stipends are not available.

Deadline: Applications will be accepted until January 31, 2025.

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QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate will have a master’s degree in Library and Information Science or a related field, and 5+ years of related experience or education in practicing professional archival standards and current community archiving practices. A working knowledge of the arts and craft fields and U.S. craft/art history is highly preferred. The following skills, qualities, and experiences are also a priority:

• Strong interpersonal, communication, and customer service skills; ability to work effectively in a diverse and cooperative environment
• Ability to create, interpret, and apply written policies and procedures
• Strong customer service and interpersonal skills
• Efficiently manage correspondence, research inquiries, and multiple projects within deadlines
• Knowledge of archival best practices, including conservation, preservation, and special collections procedures
• Knowledge of national data content, structure, and visual materials standards for library and archival collections
• Demonstrated skills and experience balancing prioritizing access and conservation with holdings to be digitized and available online
• Understanding of records coding and tagging to ensure optimal discoverability
• Experience working across collections-focused platforms and ensuring integration with external-facing publicly accessible sites and, as required, other institutions’ collections technologies
• Strong organizational skills; able to set priorities and plan short- and long-term goals
• Skilled in gathering data, creating systems, and preparing reports for leadership as needed
• Proficient with job-related software, including Google Drive, ContentDM, OCLC Cataloging & Metadata Service, and WorldCAT
• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds with reasonable accommodations
  

The Center for Craft is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate against any individual or group based on age, disability, gender, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, or Veteran status. The Center encourages applications from candidates who can complement the Center for Craft’s Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion work by offering unique perspectives and understanding of issues impacting groups traditionally underrepresented in the field. Applying does not constitute a promise or guarantee of employment.

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TO APPLY

Please send the application form, cover letter, and C.V., to Marilyn Zapf, Director of Programs and Curator, at mzapf@centerforcraft.org. No phone calls, please.

Offer of employment is contingent on successfully passing a background check.

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ABOUT THE CENTER FOR CRAFT

Founded in 1996, the Center for Craft is a national 501c3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to resource, catalyze, and amplify how and why craft matters. We increase access to craft by empowering and resourcing artists, researchers, organizations, and communities through grants, fellowships, and programs that bring people together. The Center is widely acknowledged as one of the most influential organizations working on behalf of craft in the United States. For more information, follow the Center at centerforcraft.org, and on Facebook and Instagram.