Applications have now closed
Join London’s Screen Archives and Black Cultural Archives for an exclusive opportunity to develop valuable skills and gain hands-on experience in archiving audiovisual collections supported by the BFI, awarding National Lottery Funding.
Dates: 4th October-8th November
Time: 2:00-4:00 PM, every Friday afternoon
Location: Black Cultural Archives
Course Description: This 6-week course offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in archiving audiovisual collections at BCA. Participants will develop valuable skills in preserving and cataloguing historical film footage, with the opportunity to continue volunteering at BCA after the course. We are recruiting 6-8 volunteers. The deadline for applications is 25th September 2024.
Course Breakdown:
Session 1 - Introduction to the history of film and film formats.
Session 2 - Identification of different film formats.
Session 3 - Conservation best practice - identifying vinegar syndrome etc.
Session 4 - Collections assessment - using BCA collections, participants will learn how to write a condition report and prepare for cataloguing.
Session 5 - Cataloguing – learn to catalogue on ArchivesSpace (cataloguing system) and learn best practice tips about metadata, and the ways LSA and BCA catalogue.
Session 6 – Introduction to the importance of community archives and activist archivists. Along with an introduction to Film Archive and the LSA Undocumented project.
Role Description for an Archive Volunteer:
We offer a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in archiving audiovisual collections at BCA. Participants will learn key preservation and cataloguing techniques, and work closely with our collections team. Upon completion, volunteers may continue their role at BCA, applying the skills gained during the course.
We are looking for volunteers who:
- Are interested in learning the basics of film and audio-video identification and handling.
- Are keen on local history.
- Feel comfortable using online databases.
- Are attentive to detail.
- Want experience working in an archive.
- Would like to contribute to creating an amazing new resource for everyone to enjoy.
About us:
London’s Screen Archives
Managed by Film London, London’s Screen Archives is a unique network of historic film collections working together on a common mission: to enable Londoners to see their past come alive on film. We hold London’s rich film heritage, from feature films to the tiniest scrap of home movie, with particular strengths in public information films, newsreels, films from industry and business or amateur productions. Individually, these tell personal stories, of how life has been lived: collectively, they tell bigger stories of changing neighbourhoods, patterns of work, travel, commerce, leisure and governance. Through our work these fragile and often-neglected films can be seen and enjoyed. www.filmlondon.org.uk/lsa
Black Cultural Archives
We are the home of Black British History, with a mission to collect, preserve, and celebrate the histories of people of African and Caribbean descent in the UK and to inspire and give strength to individuals, communities, and society. Located at 1 Windrush Square in Brixton, we offer a series of gallery exhibitions, educational programmes, and public engagement events, and provide free access to our unique set of archives, museum objects, and reference library. As leaders in the heritage sector, we are committed to advancing workforce diversity and decolonial archival practices.
Delivered with the support of the BFI, awarding National Lottery funding.