APERTURE
FOUNDATION
WORK-SCHOLAR PROGRAM
BECOME
AN INTERN AT APERTURE
Involve yourself in publishing, in making some of the world's finest
books and its foremost photography periodical, in working with the greatest
living photographers and writers. Learn about the production and manufacturing
of fine art publications and gain valuable experience in arts administration,
traveling exhibitions, marketing and special sales, or archival processes.
Work with a small, committed, experienced staff.
APERTURE
FOUNDATION
Aperture, now in its forty-seventh year, is a not-for-profit organization
devoted to photography and the visual arts. Our mission is to promote
photography as one of the most powerful forms of human expression and
to use its unique capabilities to illuminate important social, environmental,
and cultural issues.
PURPOSE
OF THE PROGRAM
We offer individuals of special promise the opportunity to work in close
collaboration with Aperture's staff and acquire the skills they need
in order to pursue their careers. You will learn firsthand about editing,
design, production, distribution, publicity, fundraising, non-profit
business practices, and marketing of books and magazines, as well as
about exhibition planning, and archival work.
DEPARTMENTS
Editorial, Production, Design & Typesetting, Development & Circulation,
Marketing, Publicity, Foreign Rights, Traveling Exhibitions/Burden Gallery,
Director's Office, Information Technology/Systems, Image Bank, and Paul
Strand Archive.
ATTRIBUTES
The program is designed for a six month full-time commitment; from January
through June or from July through December. The stipend is $250 a month.
Applicants must make their own living arrangements and should have sufficient
financial resources to cover their living expenses. College credit may
be available from your college for this program.
REQUIREMENTS
A first selection is made on the basis of your interest and motivation
in working for Aperture, your ability to contribute significantly to
the program, and your openness to gaining a meaningful work experience.
Your interest and experience in photography, publishing, and the visual
arts, as well as in the fields covered by the aforementioned departments
will enhance your application.
TO
APPLY
Send your resume, a short writing sample, and a cover letter describing
your background, special skills, and personal objectives in becoming
involved with the program. Please specify which departments you are
interested in working with. You can fax your application to (212) 475-8790,
email to MDecsey@aperture.org,
or write to: Aperture Foundation, Work-scholar Coordinator, 20 East
23 Street, New York, NY 10010-4463.
EDITORIAL
The
Editorial department offers six work-scholar positions per year. Interns
assist the editors in both the book and the magazine departments. Responsibilities
include, but are not limited to:
Picture
and text research
Reviewing manuscripts and portfolios and returning them
Contacting museums, galleries, and individuals to request artwork for
reproduction
Proofreading
Compiling copy for catalogues and book jackets
Darkroom work as needed
Development and publicity support
Registering copyrights
General office support: typing, filing, Xeroxing, and answering telephones
A
working grasp of the photographic field, excellent grammar and communication
skills, as well as prior editorial experience will enhance a candidate's
application.
DESIGN & TYPESETTING
The
Design department offers two work-scholar positions a year. Interns
assist the staff designer on
Aperture's books and magazine, as well as other related materials such
as brochures. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Preparing files for color output
Creating mechanicals
Sizing art
Scanning and placing photographs
Conceptual design on selected projects
General office support: typing, filing, Xeroxing, and answering telephones
Some
experience with QuarkXPress and interest in design essential. Photoshop
and Illustrator experience valued. Good ability to work under pressure
and pay close attention to detail required. Experience and ability to
proof read are a big plus. Applicant will end up with invaluable and
attractive samples in their portfolio.
PRODUCTION
The
Production department offers two work-scholar positions a year. The
intern will assist the Vice-President of Production and the Production
Manager make some of the finest black/white and color photographic books
published. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Handling and receipting art
Reviewing specifications
Communication with suppliers
Following-up on schedules
Preparing work process reports
Handling of invoices
Typing manufacturing orders
General office support: typing, filing, Xeroxing, and answering telephones
PROJECT
SUPPORT AND GRANT WRITING
The
Development department offers in conjunction with the Circulation Department
two work-scholar positions a year. Supervised by the Development Manager
and the Board & Development Coordinator, responsibilities include,
but are not limited to:
Compilation of proposals, including research and perhaps writing and
editing
Updating of donor listings
Assisting with the annual appeal
Assisting with board and donor relations
Assisting with special events at all stages from planning to follow-up
Maintaining the development database
Assisting with the coordination of Work-Scholar Program
General office support: typing, filing, Xeroxing, and answering telephones
Excellent
communication, organization, and writing skills, as well as an interest
in fund-raising, social issues, and human resources will enhance a candidate'
s application.
Supervised
by the Circulation Consultant, responsibilities include, but are not
limited to :
Assisting the Circulation Consultant with aspects of direct marketing
Assisting in maintaining subscribers
Assisting with aspects of fulfillment and customer service
Organizing invoices
General office support: typing, filing, Xeroxing, and answering telephones
MARKETING
The
Marketing department offers two work-scholar positions a year. The intern
assists the Marketing staff in all facets of sales & marketing.
Supervised by the Sales Manager, responsibilities include, but are not
limited to:
Maintaining marketing & advertising databases
Assisting in preparation of sales materials
Assisting in preparation & distribution of media kits
Assisting in preparation for sales conferences
Assisting in maintaining contact with Aperture's distributors and sales
representatives
Assisting in preparing for Aperture's participation in trade shows
Assisting in the selling of ad space in our quarterly, Aperture
Assisting in the servicing of Aperture's house accounts
Assisting in the area of damaged and overstock sales and customer service
General office support: typing, filing, Xeroxing, and answering telephones
A
good knowledge of Word, Excel or Lotus, as well as familiarity with
database programs (also Paradox) and excellent communication and writing
skills are essential. Sales experience, as well as some knowledge of
PageMaker or Photoshop will enhance a candidate's application.
FOREIGN
RIGHTS
The
Foreign Rights department offers two work-scholar positions a year.
The intern will assist the Foreign Rights Manager to promote Aperture
books internationally. The responsibilities include, but are not limited
to:
Interfacing with foreign distributors and publishers
Assisting with contracts and licensing agreements
Arranging coeditions of Aperture books with publishers worldwide
Identifying new publishing partners around the world
Working closely with Production and Customer Service
Preparing for the Frankfurt Book Fair
Organizing pricing of books for potential foreign copublications
General office support: typing, filing, Xeroxing, and answering telephones
PUBLICITY
The
Publicity department offers two work-scholar positions a year. The intern
assists the Publicist in all facets of publicity and promotion. Responsibilities
include, but are not limited to:
Maintaining publicity books
Assisting in preparation and assembly of press material
Assisting in the creation of first draft press releases
Assisting in the preparation and mailing of press releases and review
copies
Circulating reviews to sales representatives and staff
Updating and maintaining publicity files and mailing lists
Research
Assisting in special book promotion projects
Correspondence
Assisting with permissions
Telephone contact with authors and reviewers
General office support: typing, filing, Xeroxing, faxing and answering
telephones
TRAVELING
EXHIBITIONS/BURDEN GALLERY
The
Traveling Exhibitions department offers two work-scholar positions a
year. The intern assists the Traveling Exhibitions Coordinator to promote
Aperture's traveling exhibition program.
Responsibilities
include, but are not limited to:
Maintaining files on correspondence and venues contacted
Researching potential venues
Keeping the mailing list of potential venues up to date
Assisting in the creation of exhibition kits, and mailing the kits to
potential venues
Coordinating exhibitions
Maintaining the museum/gallery database
Assisting with Burden Gallery openings
Correspondence
General office support: typing, filing, Xeroxing, and answering telephones
The
intern will also assist the Traveling Exhibitions staff to maintain
the gallery and handle the limited edition prints and portfolios when
appropriate.
DIRECTOR'S
OFFICE
The
Director's Office offers two work-scholar positions a year. The intern
assists the Executive Director and the Administrative Assistant to coordinate
the efforts of all departments. This position offers the potential to
get involved with special projects at the discretion of the executive
director. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Liaise between the Director's Office and other departments
Assist with the development of special projects (act as liaison between
the director, the staff and other parties involved: (correspondence,
phone calls, research)
Maintain the director's library
Maintain a database of professional contacts
Assist with the preparation of important meetings, including the board
meetings
Liaise between the Director's Office and the work-scholar coordinator
to schedule lectures on Aperture and a luncheon with the executive director
General office support: typing, filing, Xeroxing, faxing, and answering
telephones
Excellent
communication, computer, and organizational skills, a good proficiency
on the keyboard, as well as the ability to work well under pressure
and to communicate with senior level executives will enhance a candidate's
application.
PAUL
STRAND ARCHIVE
The
Paul Strand Archive, located in Millerton, New York, offers two work-scholar
positions a year. The intern assists the Archive Director and his staff
with the following projects and responsibilities:
Maintain ongoing file of Strand material in print and other related
material
Organize, catalogue, and preserve Aperture collection of artwork and
photographs
Inventory and organize book library (Aperture and non-Aperture titles)
Exhibition preparation work for the Burden Gallery and Traveling Exhibitions
(also dismantle exhibitions and return work to artists)
Administration of copyright and permissions for use of photographs by
Paul Strand
Assembly, distribution, and recordkeeping of limited editions and portfolios
Darkroom and on-camera copy work
General office support: typing, filing, Xeroxing, and answering telephones
Archive
experience will enhance a candidate's application.
IMAGE RESOURCE DIVISION
The
Image Resource Division offers two work-scholar positions a year. The
intern will assist in the creation and maintenance of the image bank.
The intern will learn about the full range of activities in the procurement,
editing, processing and marketing of photographs and will handle originals
and be responsible for their safe storage. The intern will be given
the opportunity to contribute innovative ideas and procedures to an
evolving creative work environment. Responsibilities include, but are
not limited to:
Research
and information gathering for all aspects of licensing program.
Support copyright registration process.
Maintain research library.
Assist in the creation of photographer mailing and contact lists.
Assist in the mailing and follow-up of information packets.
Input information and upkeep of Film Submission data base.
Support and assist in film edits. Create low-res scans for image data
base.
Coordinate and record return of film to photographers.
General support as needed.
Aperture
Images requires an intern with interests in photo editing and the creation
of digital image files. The position involves a lot of research, data
entry, and record procedures. Other skills required: computer skills
(Mac and PC) including Word, Excell, Photoshop, Filemaker or equivalent
programs, knowledge of contemporary photography, and attention to details.
Ability to scan, retouch and save low-res image files.
INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY/SYSTEMS
This
new work-scholar position involves assisting Aperture's Information
Technology/Systems Manager in implementing and managing Aperture's current
information systems. There will be two work-scholar positions per year
in this department. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Assisting
with Aperture's modern client-server, PC-based computer network running
primarily Microsoft Operating Systems, Microsoft Office, Outlook and
Exchange as well as a variety of other applications.
Assisting Aperture staff with daily computing functions as needed.
The
ideal candidate is someone pursuing or interested in pursuing a degree
in computer science/Information Systems/Information Technology, but
the position is open to any qualified and motivated individual. Experience
with Microsoft systems is preferred.