Digital Asset Intern - Toshiko Takaezu Foundation

About Us
The Toshiko Takaezu Foundation was founded in 2015 to preserve and promote the legacy of renowned abstract sculptor Toshiko Takaezu (1922–2011) and to educate the public about her work and teachings. Her art was deeply influenced by nature, her experiences in Hawaiʻi and New Jersey, and her travels worldwide, particularly in Japan and Okinawa. The Foundation facilitates exhibitions, supports research projects, provides access to archives, and ensures public access to Takaezu’s artistic contributions. 
 

Position Overview 
Under the direction of the Executive Director, the intern will conduct a focused research and data management project supporting the Foundation’s development of a digital asset management system (DAMS) for artworks and image-based materials. 
The Foundation is currently working with a developer to design and implement this system. The primary objective of the internship is to identify, organize, migrate, and enter structured data into the new database, consolidating information on Toshiko Takaezu’s life, work, and professional activities. 
 

The intern will work directly with the Foundation’s archive and library, as well as with relevant third-party archival collections. Secondary responsibilities may include general archival research and support for exhibitions, publications, and related Foundation initiatives. Several emerging projects are underway, and project plans will be developed as needed.

Primary Responsibilities
● Conduct research to identify and reconcile existing Foundation data related to artworks, images, exhibitions, and biographical information
● Prepare, standardize, and migrate data into the Foundation’s new digital asset
management system
● Work with archival and library materials to ensure accurate, consistent metadata and documentation
● Coordinate data drawn from internal records and external archival collections
● Support general archival research and institutional projects as needed
 

Qualifications
● Currently enrolled full-time at a college or university; junior or senior standing only
● Preferred: enrolled in a bachelor’s-level program in Library and Information Sciences, Art History, or Museum and Curatorial Studies
● 3.0 GPA
● Minimum one year of experience working in an art or archive-holding institution
● Working knowledge of archival theory and best practice
● Familiarity with 20th- and 21st-century art history, museum archival records, and artists’ archives
● Understanding of the preservation and care of archives
● Excellent verbal and written communication skills
● Ability to work independently, meet deadlines, and manage multiple projects
simultaneously
● Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team
● Strong interpersonal skills to work collaboratively across an inter-departmental and institutional structure
● Basic understanding of dynamic database and library collections management systems, Microsoft Office Suite, and Google Workspace
● A basic understanding of Microsoft programs (including Word, Excel, and Access)
● Ability to lift materials weighing up to 40 lbs
● Commitment to continued professional growth and development
● Able to adapt quickly within a museum or cultural arts organization
● Legally authorized to work in the U.S. without visa sponsorship now or in the future

Schedule and Compensation 
● 5 days per week during standard office hours, 10:00am–6:00pm
● This is a temporary, part-time intern position with a competitive hourly wage
● The position is expected to last 9 weeks
● Compensation is $24.00 per hour
● $900 stipend