Art Institute of Chicago is hiring: Editor in Chicago

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.

Please click on the links below to view our competitive, comprehensive benefits package:

• Hiring Range
• Benefits
• PTO Overview
• Job Classification: Full-Time Salaried Staff
• Grade Level: 8

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 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, Administration, 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.
• Communicates with freelance editors, indexers, proofreaders, and translators; administers contracts with authors and peer reviewers. Works with authors to plan, revise, and edit manuscripts.
• 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); research and 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 establish and maintain project schedules. Manages the editorial aspects of these schedules and ensures that approved budgets are met. Sounds the alert when schedules or budgets 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 museum's style guide.
• 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.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Remain standing or sitting at a desk or with a computer for the majority of the work day
• Read and assess the editorial accuracy and physical (graphic) design of both print and digital publications as well as exhibition didactics and related materials
• Use a computer to edit manuscript; conduct research; and compare, proof, and input corrections and changes into manuscript and design layouts using PDFs, Microsoft Word, InDesign, and the Internet
• Assess visual graphic components of publication designs, exhibition didactics, and digital interactives and videos, including but not limited to: typeface and typesetting, page layout, image layout, header and footer design, etc.
• Move across the museum and navigate through all museum galleries to view and assess exhibitions and didactics
• Communicate with internal colleagues across the museum as well as external partners (artists, authors, curators, designers, freelancers, etc.) via spoken and written forms; exchange ideas, listen and respond to feedback

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in art history, literature, or a related humanities discipline required. Master's degree preferred. Exposure to graduate study in the fine arts, strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years' editorial work 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.
• Demonstrates excellent editing, grammar, and writing skills, as well as communication skills.
• Familiarity with Chicago Manual of Style preferred.
• Experience with editing digital publications preferred.
• Familiarity with book design and editing software (such as InDesign) will be highly valued.
• Proficiency in foreign language(s) is highly valued.

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION
The Art Institute of Chicago is an equal opportunity, equal access employer fully committed to achieving a diverse and inclusive workplace. We believe in a staff culture that benefits from a wide range of experience, backgrounds, and career paths, and we encourage nontraditional candidates to apply. All staff members are expected to embrace the museum's commitment to creating an inclusive and equitable institution and to adhere to the museum's shared values.

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.