Archivist - L.A. Louver

Location: Los Angeles and Venice, CA
Salary: $$77,000-$82,000 
Employment Term: Full-time
Employer Contact: work@lalouver.com

Archivist
L.A. Louver seeks a project-based, limited term Archivist to work in its active Archive and
Library, which is distinguished by records and materials that document the Gallery’s activities
since 1975. On September 16, 2025 during the 50th anniversary of the founding of L.A. Louver, it
was publicly announced that the L.A. Louver Archive and Library will be received as a promised
gift by The Huntington.

This is a unique opportunity for an Archivist with demonstrated professional experience and
expertise to appraise, accession, process, arrange, describe, and preserve historical and
contemporary archival records, including digitized and digital-born materials. L.A. Louver
Archive and Library will be physically transferred to The Huntington Library by July 2029. The
Archivist will work collaboratively with Archive and Library staff including the Assistant Archivist
and the Head Archivist and Research Specialist, as well as with Gallery colleagues including the
Directors, Assistant Director, Preparators, Communications and Research Assistant, and Gallery
Receptionist.

About L.A. Louver:

Founded in Venice, California in 1975, L.A. Louver is a private commercial contemporary art
gallery that has exhibited the work of over 430 artists, mounted more than 660 exhibitions, and
helped to organize over 125 museum shows. L.A. Louver has long been recognized for its role as
being among the first cultural organizations to build dialogue between Southern California and
the global art world, having represented local and international artists such as David Hockney,
Edward Kienholz and Nancy Reddin Kienholz, R. B. Kitaj, Leon Kossoff, Gajin Fujita, and Alison
Saar, among many others. In September 2025, L.A. Louver announced a major shift to a new
model that embraces private art dealing, artist support, consulting, and special projects. For
more information, please visit the Gallery website: https://lalouver.com/

Major Responsibilities:

With the goal of preparing the L.A. Louver Archive and Library for physical transfer to The
Huntington, the Archivist will apply professional standards and best practices to appraise,
accession, process, arrange, describe, and preserve archival records. Under the direct
supervision of the Head Archivist and Research Specialist and general supervision of the
Managing Director, the Archivist will:

• Lead the development of an appraisal and processing plan for digital records according
  to professional standards, best practices, and internal workflows. Collaborate in
  implementing the plan to appraise, accession, process, arrange, describe, and preserve
  digital records
• Lead digital preservation of the L.A. Louver website with Archive-It
• Collaborate to appraise, accession, process, arrange, describe, and preserve physical
  archival records according to professional standards, best practices, and internal
  workflows
• Collaborate to write and enhance the finding aid in ArchivesSpace according to
  Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS)
• Collaborate to maintain processing metrics and project documentation
• Collaborate to identify high-risk information, third party intellectual property rights, and
  other sensitive data in archival records using various tools and standards. Collaborate to
  develop recommendations for appropriate handling, restrictions, and eventual future
  access
• Collaborate to identify physical conservation concerns and perform basic preservation
  practices
• Collaborate to refine internal standards, procedures, and policies

Additional Responsibilities:

• Undertake special independent and collaborative projects as assigned
• Collaborate with Archive and Library colleagues to:
  • Acquire and process books into the Library; write and maintain cataloging records in
    the collection management system (ArtBase)
  • Document and maintain the saleable catalogue and merchandise inventory (on-site
    as well at off-site storage)
  • Write and maintain artist CVs and bibliographies in the Digital Archive Database
    system
  • Write and maintain artwork cataloging records including provenance, literature, and
    exhibition history information in ArtBase
  • Conduct art historical and archival research as needed

Requirements:

• Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS), Library Science (MLS), or Archives and
  Records Administration (MARA) from an ALA-accredited institution
• Bachelor of Art (B.A.) in art history, library and information science, history, museum studies, or related field
• At least two years of professional experience appraising, accessioning, processing, arranging, describing, and preserving archival records, and managing projects with multiple deadlines at academic or cultural institutions
• Demonstrated experience with professional standards and best practices that govern the arrangement, description, and use of archival records such as DACS, Encoded
• Archival Description (EAD), and Resource Description and Access (RDA)
• Demonstrated experience with current toolkits and processes used in web, email, and social media archiving
• Ability to develop, refine, and implement internal policies, procedures, and workflows
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced work environment
• Knowledge of modern and contemporary art and art history
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Skills: ArchivesSpace, Archive-It, FileMaker Pro/ArtBase, Google Suite, Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Creative Suite
• Ability to lift 40 pounds and climb ladders

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master of Art (M.A.) in art history, museum studies, curatorial practice, or related field
• Experience with metadata creation and applying metadata standards according to
  Machine-Readable Cataloging (MARC), Metadata Object Description Schema (MODS),
  Metadata Encoding and Transmission Standard (METS), and Dublin Core Metadata
  Initiative (DCMI)
• Knowledge of current and emerging practices for preserving digital records including
  using digital forensic tools, programming, and scripting languages
• Experience in emerging uses of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in archival processing
• Familiarity and interest in current archival issues and trends
• Membership and participation in relevant professional organizations

Compensation and Benefits:

• This is a full-time (Monday-Friday), on-site, project-based, limited term position with a
  salary range of $77,000-$82,000
• Benefits include medical, dental, vision, and life insurance; paid vacation days; paid
  holidays and birthday holiday; paid sick leave; and participation in the Gallery’s 401K
  plan

Additional Information:

The Archivist will be primarily based at L.A. Louver’s archive and library facility located in Mid-
City Los Angeles but will also work out of the Venice Beach gallery as projects and responsibilities require.

This project-based, limited term Archivist position will be concluded on a date to be determined
after the physical transfer of L.A. Louver Archive and Library.

APPLY:
Please submit a resume and cover letter in PDF format with the subject line “Archivist” to
work@lalouver.com. Applications will be received on a rolling basis. The first round of
applications should be received no later than January 23, 2026.

No phone calls or walk-ins please.