Meet Sophie Glidden-Lyon
I am an archivist with over ten years experience in archives, specifically performing and visual arts collections that defy traditional best practices. I can help you develop digitization plans, write grants to obtain funding, and connect you with vendors who prioritize artists and arts institutions.
As the manager of digital and special projects at La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club Archives (2018-2023) I oversaw the digitization and management of over 60 years of Off-off Broadway history. At NYU's Fales Library and Special Collections (2014-2017), I worked closely with artists to process their papers, and provide reference services to patrons of all kinds. At the New York City Municipal Archives, I collaborated on the design and implementation of the first comprehensive appraisal survey of the city's 400 year historical record.
As a consultant, some of my past clients include artist Denise Green, The Pierre and Tana Matisse Foundation, Jefferson Market Library (NYPL), the Museum of Reclaimed Urban Space, and Whirl-i-gig as an advisor to the CollectiveAccess Development Team.
I hold a masters in Archives and Public History from NYU, and a BA in American History from Smith College. My goal is to find creative solutions, beyond the constraints of traditional practice, to empower artists to organize, care for, and use their own archival materials.
Services
Cataloging & Processing
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Surveys and Inventories: Is this the first time you've ever had help assessing your material? We can start from square one with a thorough inventory, or survey, of all materials related to your artistic practice
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Arrangement: I will help you decide on the best physical arrangement of your material, enabling the easiest and most intuitive access to whatever you’re looking for
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Cataloguing and Description: I can make navigating and accessing your material easier by creating thorough description and metadata
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Access Points: Once your material is arranged, you’ll need a way to search for and find material, and perhaps share it with others. I tailor my work to your needs, creating finding aids, databases, research guides, spreadsheets, labeling and more.
Databases
A customized database can be a lifesaver for accessing and maintaining your records. Whether you are a non-profit, an artist, or inherited responsibility for an archive, I can help you determine whether or not a database would work for you, and if so, which of the many options would be best.
Needs Assessments
Are you overwhelmed managing a large archive and don't know where to start? A needs assessment includes a survey of what you have to get a handle on things, and the creation of an inventory that will help you keep track of materials. I will provide you with a customized report that gives a narrative overview of the research value in your archive, identifies preservation and storage concerns, and gives tiered recommendations for what to do next and what to prioritize.
Audiovisual & Digital Archiving
I have experience handling a broad array of digital and analog formats
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Inventorying and assessment
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Digitization project planning and grant writing
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Digital asset management: I can work with you to improve and maintain the organization of your digital files, leaving you with a file system that suits your needs.