Arts & History Seeks Historians, Archivists, Genealogists

NEWS RELEASE

June 20, 2012

CONTACT | BRANDI BURNS 208.433.5676, BBURNS@CITYOFBOISE.ORG
WEB ADDRESS | WWW.BOISEARTSANDHISTORY.ORG

Boise's story is as diverse and complex as the people who have made Boise home for the past 150 years. As the city commemorates its sesquicentennial in 2013, the year-long event -Boise 150- is a unique opportunity to recognize the city's past and contemplate its future. Boise residents, businesses, and organizations are invited to host community events, collect and document their histories, and share in conversation about our city.

To assist neighborhoods and community groups interested in documenting their history, the Boise City Department of Arts & History is developing a roster of local historians. The roster will be available to neighborhood associations, community organizations, and individuals interested in working with a historian regarding their Boise 150 projects.

REQUIREMENTS:
Historians, archivists, and genealogists on the roster will need a working knowledge of Boise history, understand the themes of the Boise 150 anniversary: Enterprise, Environment and Community (see below), and be interested in helping neighborhood associations and/or organizations in public history projects. To be added to the roster, please provide:

Resume, including work experience in historical research, writing and project management and educational background

Writing sample, less than 5 pages and/or sample of project/product (brochure, website, etc.)
Description of your historical work. For example:
-House histories and historic preservation projects
-Research: familiarity with a variety of document sources and types, include genealogical research
-Business and/or Corporate histories
-Exhibits
-Interpretive projects
-Walking tours
-Brochures
-Digital history, such as website creation, blogs, etc.
-Publications

The submitted materials will allow the Department of Arts & History to group applicants by field/project specialty to allow neighborhood associations, community organizations and individuals to better identify the person needed for their project. The Department will only maintain the roster but will not advocate for one applicant over the other.
Selection for the roster does not guarantee that you will be contacted or funded for a community history project.

PROJECT TIMELINE: All submissions must be received on or before July 18 at 12:00pm (noon). All applicants will be added to the roster and notification will be sent out by September 1, 2012.

SUBMISSION: All applicants must submit their piece via email (bburns@cityofboise.org) or mail (see above for mailing address). Please contact the project manager for other arrangements. Submit the following:

Resume (required). Maximum of 2 pages, including educational background.
Writing Sample (required). Provide less than 5 pages of a sample of your writing, or sample of a project/product (brochure, website, oral history excerpt, etc.) that you completed.
Brief description of your historical work (required).
Attached document, or image of your historical work. This can range from a brochure to an image of an exhibit, etc.

SELECTION PROCESS: All applicants will be listed on the roster. The History Committee of the Department will assist Arts & History to categorize applicants by specialty. All applicants will be notified of the roster's availability by September 1, 2012.

QUESTIONS: Contact Brandi Burns, Historian, at bburns@cityofboise.orgor 208-433-5676.