Art Institute of Chicago
Senior Editor
Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60290
MISSION
The Art Institute of Chicago shares its singular collections with our city and the world. We collect, care for, and interpret works of art across time, cultures, geographies, and identities, centering the vision of artists and makers. We recognize that all art is made in a particular context, demanding continual, dynamic reconsideration in the present. We are a place of gathering; we foster the exchange of ideas and inspire an expansive, inclusive understanding of human creativity.
We offer a competitive, comprehensive benefits package: Generous paid time off Paid holidays (up to 14 days) Medical, dental, and vision insurance Generous parental, caregiver, and medical leave benefits Competitive retirement plan Tuition remission and Tuition Exchange Program Great employee discounts Complimentary general admission to participating cultural institutions Salary Grade 9
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT Publishing plays a key role in the Art Institute of Chicago's mission by helping readers make meaningful connections with the museum's collections and exhibitions in print, online, and in the galleries. The team strives to reach diverse audiences, transforming scholarly research in different ways for different readers. They also aim to create works of the highest quality: careful in conception, accessible in language, rigorous in scholarship, and engaging in their design and materials.
ABOUT THE POSITION The Senior Editor develops, edits, and manages a range of publications, including exhibition and collection catalogues, digital publications, and exhibition didactics. Oversees all aspects of these projects in consultation with the Associate Vice President of Publishing, Editorial Director, Director of Production, and all relevant curators and volume editors.
RESPONSIBILITIES Develops, edits, and manages a range of print and digital publications, including exhibition and collection catalogues, books for general readers, brochures, and in-gallery interpretive materials. Helps maintain institutional Style Guide and associated documents.
Works with authors to plan, revise, and edit manuscripts. Communicates with freelance editors, indexers, proofreaders, and translators; administers contracts with authors and peer reviewers.
Duties include content/developmental editing (reading for argument and evidence); copyediting (to improve clarity, accessibility, and style); and proofreading (to correct grammar, punctuation, and typography); fact checking; working with author and Rights and Reproduction Specialist to obtain reference images, final images, and complete caption information for comparative illustrations; and working with designer to implement design and editorial corrections in galleys.
Collaborates with Associate Vice President of Publishing, Editorial Director, and Director of Production to develop book contents and establish and maintain project schedules. Manages the editorial aspects of these schedules and ensures that approved budgets are met. Sounds the alert when institutional expectations for quality, schedule, or cost are not being maintained and recommends corrective action to resolve the situation.
Works in cooperation with Editorial Director and Yale University Press on sales and marketing materials. Works with Marketing and Communications colleagues within the museum to maintain website listings of museum publications.
Works with curators and colleagues in Interpretation, Design, and Experience Design to edit and produce didactic texts, including labels, wall texts, digital labels, and other interpretive materials. Maintains project schedules and alerts colleagues in Museum Exhibitions about delays or complications.
Works with curatorial colleagues and collection managers to edit and maintain object information and associated texts published to the museum website, including reviewing or maintaining the style guide for the museum's object database.
Participates in exhibition planning and edits prcis, loan letters, and grant applications as necessary.
Champions standards for writing and editing across the institution, including collaborating with colleagues in Interpretation to originate print resources and live writing workshops to support good writing practices or assuming responsibility for relevant institution-wide projects or initiatives. Supports other editors, reviewing their work in manuscript and galleys.
QUALIFICATIONS
Master's degree in art history, literature, or a related humanities discipline required. Exposure to graduate study in the fine arts strongly preferred Minimum 6-8 years of editorial experience in a museum publications department, university press, or trade publishing house required Proven ability to perform all aspects of the editorial process and manage complex projects, particularly while working independently. Demonstrate excellent editing skills, as well as grammar and writing skills, and communication skills. Familiarity with Chicago Manual of Style preferred. Familiarity with book design and editing software (such as InDesign) will be highly valued. Proficiency in foreign language(s) is highly valued. Experience in editing for digital publications preferred
CLOSING STATEMENT
The Art Institute of Chicago is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits, hires and promotes qualified individuals without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, veteran status or citizenship. The Institute complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the Department of Human Resources at apply_help@artic.edu.
UNION INFO
This position is part of a bargaining unit represented by AFSCME Council 31.
The Art Institute of Chicago shares its singular collections with our city and the world. We collect, care for, and interpret works of art across time, cultures, geographies, and identities, centering the vision of artists and makers. We recognize that all art is made in a particular context, demanding continual, dynamic reconsideration in the present. We are a place of gathering; we foster the exchange of ideas and inspire an expansive, inclusive understanding of human creativity.
We offer a competitive, comprehensive benefits package: Generous paid time off Paid holidays (up to 14 days) Medical, dental, and vision insurance Generous parental, caregiver, and medical leave benefits Competitive retirement plan Tuition remission and Tuition Exchange Program Great employee discounts Complimentary general admission to participating cultural institutions Salary Grade 9
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT Publishing plays a key role in the Art Institute of Chicago's mission by helping readers make meaningful connections with the museum's collections and exhibitions in print, online, and in the galleries. The team strives to reach diverse audiences, transforming scholarly research in different ways for different readers. They also aim to create works of the highest quality: careful in conception, accessible in language, rigorous in scholarship, and engaging in their design and materials.
ABOUT THE POSITION The Senior Editor develops, edits, and manages a range of publications, including exhibition and collection catalogues, digital publications, and exhibition didactics. Oversees all aspects of these projects in consultation with the Associate Vice President of Publishing, Editorial Director, Director of Production, and all relevant curators and volume editors.
RESPONSIBILITIES Develops, edits, and manages a range of print and digital publications, including exhibition and collection catalogues, books for general readers, brochures, and in-gallery interpretive materials. Helps maintain institutional Style Guide and associated documents.
Works with authors to plan, revise, and edit manuscripts. Communicates with freelance editors, indexers, proofreaders, and translators; administers contracts with authors and peer reviewers.
Duties include content/developmental editing (reading for argument and evidence); copyediting (to improve clarity, accessibility, and style); and proofreading (to correct grammar, punctuation, and typography); fact checking; working with author and Rights and Reproduction Specialist to obtain reference images, final images, and complete caption information for comparative illustrations; and working with designer to implement design and editorial corrections in galleys.
Collaborates with Associate Vice President of Publishing, Editorial Director, and Director of Production to develop book contents and establish and maintain project schedules. Manages the editorial aspects of these schedules and ensures that approved budgets are met. Sounds the alert when institutional expectations for quality, schedule, or cost are not being maintained and recommends corrective action to resolve the situation.
Works in cooperation with Editorial Director and Yale University Press on sales and marketing materials. Works with Marketing and Communications colleagues within the museum to maintain website listings of museum publications.
Works with curators and colleagues in Interpretation, Design, and Experience Design to edit and produce didactic texts, including labels, wall texts, digital labels, and other interpretive materials. Maintains project schedules and alerts colleagues in Museum Exhibitions about delays or complications.
Works with curatorial colleagues and collection managers to edit and maintain object information and associated texts published to the museum website, including reviewing or maintaining the style guide for the museum's object database.
Participates in exhibition planning and edits prcis, loan letters, and grant applications as necessary.
Champions standards for writing and editing across the institution, including collaborating with colleagues in Interpretation to originate print resources and live writing workshops to support good writing practices or assuming responsibility for relevant institution-wide projects or initiatives. Supports other editors, reviewing their work in manuscript and galleys.
QUALIFICATIONS
Master's degree in art history, literature, or a related humanities discipline required. Exposure to graduate study in the fine arts strongly preferred Minimum 6-8 years of editorial experience in a museum publications department, university press, or trade publishing house required Proven ability to perform all aspects of the editorial process and manage complex projects, particularly while working independently. Demonstrate excellent editing skills, as well as grammar and writing skills, and communication skills. Familiarity with Chicago Manual of Style preferred. Familiarity with book design and editing software (such as InDesign) will be highly valued. Proficiency in foreign language(s) is highly valued. Experience in editing for digital publications preferred
CLOSING STATEMENT
The Art Institute of Chicago is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits, hires and promotes qualified individuals without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, veteran status or citizenship. The Institute complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the Department of Human Resources at apply_help@artic.edu.
UNION INFO
This position is part of a bargaining unit represented by AFSCME Council 31.