The Image Licensing Specialist acquires visual materials and clears the rights to digital images, audio, and video from external sources for use in Museum publications and exhibitions as well as in marketing and publicity. The specialist collaborates with the Art Division; Audio Visual; the Education Division; Exhibitions; Graphic Design; Marketing and Communications; Public Programs; Publications, Interpretation, and Editorial Services; and Technology in support of projects across the Museum. The specialist is required to assess the copyright status of collection works and, in collaboration with other Digital Collections staff, pursue non-exclusive licenses to support the Museum’s activities and advise on application of the Museum’s copyright policy. The position also assists the Rights and Reproductions Manager on licensing out images of objects in the Museum’s collections for commercial partnerships.
Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in art history, museum studies, or another relevant field, and three to five years’ relevant experience
Knowledge of intellectual property and copyright law as it applies to licensing materials for use in a museum setting, and assessment and application of the fair-use doctrine
Ability to independently research and source materials from other institutions, libraries, archives, and photo agencies
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
High degree of computer literacy, including experience managing and assessing the quality of digital images using Photoshop and working with databases including The Museum System (TMS) and digital-asset management systems (DAMS) as well as standard office software, particularly Excel and Access
Ability to manage multiple complex projects, set priorities, and meet firm deadlines while remaining organized and tracking details
Comfortable working both independently and collaboratively
Responsibilities:
Under the direction of the Director of Digital Collections and Services, and in collaboration with staff in multiple departments, undertake the following:
Licensing In—Media Acquisition: research and acquire assets and clear rights for external media needed to support and publicize the Museum’s exhibitions, programs, and other projects; maintain database to document project activities and stakeholder contact lists; negotiate fees; process and track payments; contribute cost estimates to project budgets; manage incoming file transfers; write captions following the Museum’s Style Guide; create asset package for transmission to publishers, including rights documentation, captions and credit/copyright lines; track restrictions and requirements and share all necessary information with relevant teams; maintain project records
Licensing Out—Rights and Reproductions: assist the Rights and Reproductions Manager with licensing programs, including targeted copyright assessment and research, packaging and transmitting digital assets and associated data, and submitting photography and scan orders
Collection research, copyright assessment: research copyright status of collection works: contact copyright holders, estates, and other representatives to acquire non-exclusive licenses, and research orphaned works. Respond to questions relating to copyright and fair use of collection works. Participate in developing and updating established copyright policies.
Start date: Immediately
Department: Digital Collections and Services
Reports to: Director of Digital Collections and Services
Position type: Full-time
Salary grade: $60,000
Union status: Union—UAW 2110
Exempt status: Non-exempt
Apply online
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At the Brooklyn Museum, we value all types of experience. For us, a successful candidate has many of the qualities listed in our job postings, and the desire and capacity to learn the rest on the job. So if much, but not all, of a job posting describes you, then we welcome your application.
