The Toronto Society of Architects is looking for a student intern to assist in the digitization of the Society’s past newsletters, with the goal of making publicly accessible and searchable these important documents chronicling the history of our Society and city, and the architectural debates that shaped them both.
About the organization:
Established in 1887, the Toronto Society of Architects (TSA) is a non-profit volunteer-led organization dedicated to bringing people together to discuss, learn and explore around our shared passion for the built environment.
We are committed to the betterment of our city and have played an important advocacy role throughout Toronto’s history. We do this through a wide range of programs which foster welcoming and inclusive forums for debate and the exchange of ideas, stimulating critical thinking about the design and building issues of our time. Our public programming is complemented by initiatives supporting the personal growth and professional development of over 2,700 TSA members. Membership is open to everyone and welcomes design professionals, students and the general public.
Learn more about the TSA at www.torontosocietyofarchitects.ca
About the placement:
Having been around for over 130 years, the TSA has been witness (and at times active participant and instigator) to the many architectural debates that have shaped our city. Many of these stories are captured in the TSA’s newsletters, a series of publications chronicling not only the happenings of the Society, but also many of the architectural and urban debates of their time. Through short and long form articles, drawings, photographs, and sometimes even poems and cheeky jokes, these documents provide a first-hand perspective of what preoccupied architects at different moments in Toronto’s history, and their aspirations and frustrations with the city we all call home.
While these records provide invaluable insight into the evolution of Toronto’s architectural scene, there has never been a single repository for these documents and many of them are scattered in individual collections or archival repositories with limited access. Making these documents easy to access and search, and identifying the topics and themes contained within them to assist future researchers, is at the core of this digitization project.
Working closely with TSA Executive Director and staff, the successful applicant will provide research and documentation support for the TSA’s newsletter digitization project. Tasks may include:
- Visiting local archives and libraries, sifting through historic documents, and making a record of their content.
- Digitizing print records following digitization best practices for accessibility.
- Coordinating with Past Chairs and Executive for the digitization of private collections.
- Writing short, public-friendly descriptions of newsletter content, including identifying stories and content that could be of interest to a contemporary audience.
- Assist in the development of a new page within the TSA website to host the digitized records to allow for easy public access.
The student intern will also have opportunities to participate in other TSA programming including networking opportunities with professionals from across the GTA working in a variety of practices, forums and debates, and meetings of the Society.
Requirements
While this position is largely expected to take place remotely, the ideal candidate would be based in Toronto in order to visit the buildings and participate in TSA events.
Because many archives in the city only operate Monday to Friday during regular business hours, it is expected that the selected candidate would have some availability during weekdays to make visits to the archives.
Timing/hours of placement and special requirements: Placement begins the week of January 8. Hours per week can be flexible up to a maximum of 120 hours per semester (typically 8-10 hours per week).
While a portion of this placement can happen remotely, the ideal candidate would be based in Toronto in order to visit the archives and participate at TSA events. Digitization of records will happen either at the archives containing the records or at the TSA’s co-working space at the Centre for Social Innovation The Annex.
Because many archives in the city only operate Monday to Friday during regular business hours, it is expected that the selected candidate would have some availability during weekdays to make visits to the archives.
Credit: Half credit (0.5). This internship is for pass/fail course credit at the University of Toronto through the Department of Art History. Only University of Toronto students are eligible. This is not a paid position.
Interested students should send an application by December 8, 2023 to Dr Jessica Mace (jessica.mace@utoronto.ca). Applications should include 1) a letter of interest (including any relevant coursework or experience) and 2) a resume. Please indicate to which posting(s) you are applying. If you are interested in multiple postings, you only need to submit one application.
This project is supported by the Learning & Education Advancement Fund at the University of Toronto.
Canada constructed: architecture, landscape, history 