The Creative Alliance is Baltimore’s premier multi-arts venue with a mission to present and promote artists, performers, and filmmakers; engage diverse audiences; and improve the quality of life in Baltimore City through community-based arts and education programs.

Everyman Theatre, an award winning professional theatre, with a resident company of
artists from the Baltimore/Washington, DC area, is seeking applicants for Box Office
Manager.

Box Office Manager

The Support Specialist provides support to the Foundation’s general administrative, accounting, grants management, database administration, external affairs, and office operations functions. Responsibilities include general clerical duties, management of manual and digital filing systems, processing of accounting and grant award documents, database entry and maintenance, preparation of accounting reports and schedules, and detailed special projects.

UMBC seeks a part-time Arts Publicity Coordinator who will take an active role in publicizing arts and cultural events for the university. Specific duties include maintenance of online communications to promote arts and cultural events; management of social media communications; facilitation of print and non-print creative projects, working with in-house designers; writing and editing copy; outreach to the media; and compilation and organization of event information. Position will work approximately 20 hours per week.

Hi! I’m Emily Somach, a graduate student at University of Maryland’s College of Information Studies. I am working towards my Master of Library Science degree, specializing in Archives, Records, and Information Management, and work as a Graduate Assistant in the UMBC Special Collections.

For the past six months, I have been working on an exciting project to create Encoded Archival Description (EAD) for Special Collections’ archives. The project is funded by the National Historical Publications & Records Commission (NHPRC) through the grant opportunity entitled “Documenting Democracy: Access to Historical Records Projects.”

What is EAD?

Well, the short answer is that EAD is a standard; it is used to encode data and information about personal papers or corporate records (i.e. archival materials). EAD is also an XML schema called EAD-XML, which means that an EAD record is written using the markup language XML (which is very similar in structure to the more familiar HTML). Lastly, an EAD record is also a type of finding aid.

And what, you may ask, is a finding aid? A finding aid is the archival term for an index or guide to a collection. It is useful to both archivists and researchers; it helps the former gain intellectual and physical control over collections, and allows the latter to find and use materials relevant to their work.

Essentially, EAD allows archivists to create platform independent records (or finding aids, the two are synonymous when discussing EAD) that are more dynamic and versatile than a word document or content management system record. EAD finding aids are easy to represent online and share between systems; they allow the public to find and access information about archival collections through online catalogs or discovery tools. Ultimately, collections represented in EAD become far more accessible and easy to locate and use.

How to Create EAD

EAD can be created by hand or through automated processes, but manually creating an entire record from scratch in XML is very time consuming and cumbersome. Luckily, for this project, we did not have to start from scratch or do everything by hand. Instead, we opted to repurpose the data we already had in PastPerfect, the content management system used by Special Collections. We developed a workflow that allows us to extract this data from PastPerfect and convert it into EAD-XML. While some post-processing and manual edits are required, the large majority of the workflow is automated.

PastPerfect records and data can be exported in a variety of formats, including PastPerfect’s own flavor of XML. For the purposes of our project, we decided to export records in this PastPerfect-XML format, which meant that we would eventually be transforming one type of XML into another, i.e. PastPerfect-XML into EAD-XML. We decided that such a transformation would be easier and more straightforward than any other, as it only requires one transformation and one language.

The Workflow

Stylesheet Creation

Upon starting the project, I worked closely with Dmitri Rudnitsky, an Information Systems undergraduate student at UMBC skilled in computer programming. Dmitri and I learned as much about EAD, XML, and XSLT as we could in two weeks, then set to work on the most technical aspect of the project: the XSLT stylesheet. XSLT (Extensible Stylesheet Language Transformations) is a language that is used to transform one XML file into another XML file. Not to get too technical, but we used this language to write functions that would take data from the PastPerfect-XML and rewrite it in the form appropriate to EAD-XML. Since Dmitri had to leave at the end of April, we wanted to utilize his expertise on this part of the project prior to his departure. By the time he left the project, I hoped to have learned enough to carry on with the rest of the work myself.

Fortunately, we had a working version of the stylesheet by the time Dmitri left. By this time, I also felt comfortable tweaking, streamlining, and editing the stylesheet on my own as the work progressed and I learned more about XSLT. This stylesheet is available on the project's GitHub space: https://github.com/UMBC-Library/EAD-XML/blob/master/stylesheets/PPtoEAD_withComments.xsl. A few months later I was able to create two more stylesheets for the project: one that splits a batch file into individual files and one that transforms the EAD-XML into HTML for web display. 

Data Cleanup

Once we completed the initial version of the stylesheet, I shifted gears and started focusing on the data export from PastPerfect. Before we could extract any data, we had to ensure that it was as standardized and error-free as possible. Using the descriptive rules outlined in the Society of American Archivists’ Describing Archives: A Content Standards (DACS), we developed our own set of guidelines and standard forms for each field in PastPerfect. We then checked and edited each field in each record to adhere to the guidelines and ensure a uniform output.

Occasionally, in order to correctly fill in a field, I had to physically locate a collection and identify or verify certain features. Most frequently this meant counting the number of boxes and calculating the equivalent linear footage, or checking to see what condition the collection was in and if it required conservation. Other times, it meant checking accession paperwork and describing how, when, or from whom we had acquired a collection.

Prioritization of Records

After the records were cleaned up, we prioritized all of them (about 150) into three groups: high, medium, and low. Prioritization was based on how complete they were or how much further editing they required. We added all of this information into a spreadsheet to track each record’s priority ranking, required edits, data cleanup status, and export status.

Export

Fortunately, after much brainstorming, trial, and error, I was able to create a batch processing tool that not only transforms one PastPerfect-XML file into EAD-XML but also splits it into multiple files. The result is a folder of files: one EAD-XML finding aid per record. Once I had the batch tool working, I exported all records from PastPerfect classified as highest priority into a batch file.

Transformation and Post-Processing

After export, I ran the batch tool on the PastPerfect-XML batch file which contained records for 38 collections. After about one second, a folder appeared containing 38 EAD finding aids.

As discussed earlier, it was not possible (or within the scope of my expertise) to automate every aspect of the EAD creation. This meant that a few aspects of each EAD file needed some manual edits. Most notably, the source and classification of subject terms and people names had to be added (i.e. if it was a Library of Congress subject heading or a local term, if a subject was a geographic location or a genre, etc.). Samples of these records are available on Github.

HTML for Web Display

The final step was to make the now complete EAD finding aids displayable on the internet. This meant using another stylesheet to transform the EAD-XML into HTML. To do this, I ran all of the new EAD-XML files through another batch tool, resulting in 38 HTML files. I then created a cascading stylesheet (CSS) to style the HTML, ensuring consistency with the new UMBC Special Collections website. While not complete, the final product will be an individual webpage for each collection that displays EAD data in a readable way and also links to the raw XML file as well as a printable PDF version of the EAD finding aid. The current templates for both of these processes are available through Github. Here is an example of how the EAD finding aid might display online:

Thank you for this thorough description, Emily! Although Emily is leaving UMBC very soon, the EAD project will continue into 2016. Have questions? Contact Lindsey Loeper, Special Collections Archivist, at lindseyloeper@umbc.edu or 410-455-6290.

Port Discovery Children's Museum provides experiences that ignite imagination, inspire learning, and nurture growth through play. We are currently looking for a talented, friendly and outgoing Box Office Associate.

This is a part time position consisting of approximately 10 to 15 hours per week, requiring only Saturday and Sunday availability. This is a perfect schedule for college students!

Summary of Position:

Cohesion Theatre Company is seeking designers, stage managers, and general technical assistance for four main stage and three workshop productions as part of our 2015/16 Season. Interested applicants should submit a resume and brief letter of interest detailing which positions and productions they are available and applying for. Each show will not necessarily require all listed positions. All inquiries should be emailed to Artistic Producer, Brad Norris via email at Brad@cohesiontheatre.org.

One Week Until Class begins! Yikes!

Fall 2015 Internship Postings

Internships

The Walters Art Museum is pleased to offer opportunities for qualified undergraduate and graduate candidates to intern in various museum divisions throughout the year. Based on a system of supervised learning, the internships enable interns to understand how a museum operates and how to relate this experience to academic and professional goals. Credit can be arranged with your college/university.

All candidates will submit a cover letter, resume and all supplemental materials to internships@thewalters.org by September 4th, 2015. Some internship positions require additional materials (see below). Please indicate your first and second choice of internship in your cover letter.

The Walters Art Museum is an equal opportunity, equal access employer committed to achieving a diverse workforce. Employment at the Walters is contingent on a favorable investigative background check. The museum is a drug and smoke free work workplace. The Walters Art Museum is an at will employer.

Fall 2015 Internships

Development Intern 

The development internship will introduce students to the importance of the development department and fundraising to an arts institution. Interns will assist staff members with tasks crucial to daily fundraising efforts including: donor research data maintenance and renewal mailings. Interns will learn about planned giving, major gifts, individual and corporate giving, grants, membership, and database administration; and how these divisions come together for a comprehensive fundraising plan.

Duties:

 Assist in preparation for the Museum’s Annual Gala and various donor stewardship events

 Perform monthly renewals for members and annual giving donors

 Research and direct mailing

 Organize donor profiles using Raiser’s Edge database system

 Other tasks as assigned Experience/Skills:

 Strong written communication skills

 Detail oriented and strong organizational skills

 Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) at the intermediate level

 Flexible, able to work in a fast paced environment

 Strong sense of teamwork

 Interest in nonprofits and fundraising: donor stewardship, major gifts, membership, grant writing, and annual giving

 Knowledge of Blackbaud’s Raisers Edge a plus

Preferred Major or Areas of Study:

 Art History/ Arts Administration

 English

 Business Management

 Computer Science

In addition to the standard application materials, please provide your transcript, two letters of reference, and a writing sample. Application deadline is September 4th, 2015.

Institutional Giving (Grants) Intern

The Institutional Giving Internship is in the Walters Museum Advancement Division which integrates development (fundraising) and marketing & communications. This opportunity will provide learning experiences about the critical role of fundraising for an arts museum. While projects and duties will focus on those from institutional sources including government, foundation, and corporate entities, the intern will also learn about planned giving, major gifts, individual giving, membership, and database administration; and how these divisions come together for a comprehensive fundraising plan.

Duties:

 Learn about the grant process by participating in meetings, reviewing draft proposals or reports (i.e. government, corporate, foundation)

 Conduct online research

 Assist with producing materials for presentations for a variety of funding sources

 Learn the intricacies of the Raiser’s Edge database system, a fundamental tool of many nonprofit organizations

 Other duties as assigned

Experience/Skills:

 Organized and detail oriented

 Ability to follow instructions and work independently

 Interest in grant writing or fundraising preferred, but not necessary

 Knowledge of Blackbaud’s Raisers Edge a plus

 Strong sense of teamwork

 Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) at the intermediate level

 Excellent writing and communication skills

In addition to the standard application materials, please provide a writing sample.

Application deadline is September 4th, 2015.

Manuscript Digitization Intern

This internship will support the Walters Art Museum Curatorial and Information Technology departments by helping to digitize our collection of French manuscripts. Intern will also assist with increasing the project’s social media presence.

Duties:

 Aid in the digitization of the museum’s extensive collection of French Manuscripts, including writing catalog entries for digitized manuscripts, updating biographical information, and assisting digitizers

 Perform general rare book duties, including preparing books for display and updating curatorial files

 Assist with imaging French medieval manuscripts including, properly handling delicate books from the Walter’s manuscript collection, operating a custom-made book cradle, using image-processing software to capture high resolution images, and performing initial quality control checks on each image captured

 Contribute to the project’s social media presence on Flickr and Twitter by uploading and tagging digitized manuscripts and composing daily tweets

 Other duties may be assigned based on skill and level of interest

Experience/Skills:

 Must be detail oriented; strong written communication skills and an understanding of the book as an object

 Experience handling fragile archival materials and historic documents is desirable; working with medieval manuscripts and printed rare books is a delicate task

 Foreign language reading knowledge a plus

 Photography skills, metadata knowledge a plus

Preferred Major or Areas of Study:

 Art History

 Medieval Studies

 Book Arts/ Codicology

 Historical Bibliography

 Museum Studies

 History

In addition to the standard application materials, please provide your transcript and two letters of reference. Application deadline is September 4th, 2015. 

Public Relations Intern 

The Walters public relations internship will introduce students to the business of public relations and offer them an opportunity to be involved in daily public relations activities. This intern will assist with public and media relations outreach for Pearls on a String: Artists, Patrons, and Poets at the Great Islamic Courts. Interns will gain experience in media relations, internal communications, and community relations.

 Duties:

 Assist manager with creating press lists and drafting media advisories  Pitch letters and releases for news worthy content  Research and analyze target audiences and competitive trend tracking for industry related opportunities

 Other public relations duties as assigned

Experience/Skills:

 Excellent writing and editing skills

 Proficient computer skills (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)

 Strong business communication skills

 Familiarity with public speaking

Preferred Major or Areas of Study:

 Public Relations

 Communications

 Journalism

 Mass Media Arts

 English

 In addition to the standard application materials, please provide two letters of reference and two writing samples. Application deadline is September 4th, 2015.

Curatorial Intern in East Asian Art

This intern will perform research and assist with projects related to the Walters’ renowned collection of art from the Eastern Asia. The intern will contribute the Museum’s scholarly resources for the study of East Asian art through research on Walters’ objects. The products of this research will find their place within the permanent installation, curatorial research files, and online.

Duties:

 Conduct research related to East Asian Collections

 Update descriptions, and other specified data fields related to works of art in the collection using the TMS database

 Identify potential objects for display based on existing themes in the arts of Asia and create information packages

Experiences/Skills:

 Library and web research skills required

 Educational or professional background in Art History preferred

 Some East Asian language exposure/ experience preferred

Preferred Major or Areas of Study:

 Chinese/Japanese/Korean Art History

 Study of Asian languages

 Humanities Studies 

In addition to the standard application materials, please provide your transcript and a letter of reference. Application deadline is September 4th, 2015.

Family Programs Intern 

The Family Programs Intern will work as part of the Family & Community Programs Department to assist the Head of Family & Community Programs and Sr. Education Coordinators on upcoming programming and interpretation for families. The Family Programs Intern will assist with the planning and implementation of upcoming Sensory Morning programs, accessible museum programming designed for visitor with Sensory Processing Disorders. 

Duties:

 Assist with developing activities for upcoming Sensory Morning programs

 Identify and contact organizations to participate in Sensory Morning programs

 Select and organize materials for Sensory Morning programs

 Promote access programming for diverse audiences

Experiences/Skills:

 Excellent organizational and time management skills

 Strong sense of teamwork with the ability to work independently

 Intermediate fine arts experience preferred, demonstrating an understanding of various art materials and techniques

 Knowledge of visitor needs with Sensory Processing Disorders, including Autism

Preferred Major or Areas of Study:

 Fine Arts

 History

 Liberal Arts

 Special Education

In addition to the standard application materials, please provide two letters of reference.

Application deadline is September 4th, 2015.

Family Programs Intern

The Family Programs Intern will work as part of the Family & Community Programs Department to assist the Head of Family & Community Programs and Sr. Education Coordinators on upcoming programming and interpretation for families. The Family Programs Intern will assist with the planning and implementation of upcoming Drop-In and Art Cart Activities.

Duties:

 Assist with the planning of weekly Drop-In Art Activities by researching the collection, developing art activities, writing lesson plans, preparing materials, and creating exemplars of projects

 Assist with maintaining Art Cart activities by organizing and replenishing materials, as well as recommending new activities

 Assist with the implementation of Drop-In and Art Cart activities

 Perform studio and office duties

Experience/Skills:

 Excellent written and communication skills, including the ability to great lesson plans and write for a multi-generational audience

 Strong organizational and time management skills

 Fine arts studio experience preferred, demonstrating an understanding of various art materials and techniques

 Hands-on art education experience in formal or informal education environments preferred

 Museum experience desired

 Strong sense of teamwork with the ability to work independently

Preferred Major or Areas of Study:

 Fine Arts

 Art History

 Museum Education

 Art Education

In addition to the standard application materials, please provide two letters of reference and a writing sample. Application deadline is September 4th, 2015.