Digital Preservation & Digitization Intern

Job Description

Motown Museum: Digital Preservation & Digitization Intern

About Motown Museum

Step into the vibrant legacy of Hitsville U.S.A. The Motown Museum stands as a testament to the extraordinary entrepreneurial energy and musical genius that once thrived within its modest buildings on Detroit’s West Grand Boulevard. As a premier museum and cultural institution, we are dedicated to preserving and celebrating the Motown sound and its profound global impact. We cultivate a dynamic environment, attracting talented individuals across diverse functions—including collections, programming, fund development, guest services, retail, and management—all united by a passion for our mission.

About The Role

The Motown Historical Museum is actively seeking an enthusiastic undergraduate or graduate student to join our Archives & Collections Department as a Digital Preservation & Digitization Intern. This unique role offers a hands-on opportunity to contribute significantly to the digitization of invaluable born-analog materials and the meticulous management of both digitized and born-digital assets. The intern will play a critical part in ensuring these resources are meticulously preserved for the long term and made readily accessible for exhibitions and on the Archives & Collection website. The intern will gain valuable experience working directly within a professional archives setting, reporting to the Digital Preservation Specialist.

What You’ll Do

Essential Functions:

• Digitization: Execute high-quality imaging of various archival materials. This includes scanning flat materials (photos, documents, publications) using a flatbed scanner and capturing 3D objects with a DSLR camera. Responsibilities also encompass light photo editing utilizing Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom.
• Preservation File Creation: Generate essential Preservation files designed for long-term digital safekeeping, alongside creating Access files for general reference and public use.
• Object Handling: Assist the Archives & Collections team with the careful and proper moving of museum objects, adhering to best preservation practices.
• Data Input: Accurately input and manage data within established databases and collection management systems, specifically AirTable and Qi.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Currently enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate student, or a recent graduate, majoring in archival studies, library science, history, historic preservation, museum studies, or a closely related academic field.
• Demonstrated interest in archives, museums, and digital preservation.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• A keen willingness to learn and adapt to new computer applications, including Qi, AirTable, Adobe Creative Suite, and Epson Scan.
• Proven ability to work effectively independently or collaboratively within a team.
• Exceptional attention to detail.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with FADGI standards and other established archival preservation practices.
• Completion of relevant coursework in archives and collections management.
• Prior experience with Adobe Creative Suite or other photo editing software.
• Practical experience with photography and digitization equipment.
• Familiarity with archival collection management systems such as PastPerfect, ArchiveSpace, CollectionsSpace, CatalogIt, or Qi.

Eligibility

This internship is open to current undergraduate and graduate students as well as recent graduates from relevant academic programs.

Required Application Materials

• Resume / CV
• One-page cover letter meticulously outlining your career aspirations and articulating how this specific position will contribute to achieving your professional goals.