Collections Contractor

The Louisiana Prison Museum & Cultural Center, also known as the Angola Museum, seeks a qualified museum, archives, public history, or collections professional to assist with a one-year grant-funded project to organize, inventory, catalog, and improve stewardship of the Museum’s collection.

The Museum’s collection includes approximately 3,000–4,000 items related to the history of the Louisiana State Penitentiary, corrections, public safety, institutional life, and Louisiana history. The selected consultant will work closely with the Museum Director to establish stronger collection control, create core catalog records, improve storage and rehousing practices, and develop procedures that Museum staff can maintain after the project ends.

This is a professional services contract, not a staff employment position.

Scope of Work

The selected contractor will be expected to:

• Conduct or complete a baseline inventory of the Museum’s collection.
• Assign or confirm unique object identification numbers and location codes.
• Create or update core catalog records for priority collection items.
• Develop a comprehensive, searchable collection database or spreadsheet that can be maintained by Museum staff after the project ends.  At this stage, an Excel-based database is acceptable provided it is clearly organized, searchable, backed up, and includes consistent fields for item identification, description, location, condition, and notes.
• Identify duplicates, “found-in-collection” items, and items requiring further review.
• Assist with basic rehousing using appropriate archival materials.
• Prepare a shelf/location map and basic collection control tools.
• Recommend preventive conservation and storage improvements.
• Train Museum staff on basic handling, labeling, location tracking, and cataloging procedures.
• Prepare a practical Collections Procedures Manual for ongoing use.
• Provide regular progress updates to the Museum Director.

Digitization of records or audiovisual materials is not part of this project.

Desired Qualifications

Preferred qualifications include one or more of the following:

• Experience in museum collections management, archival processing, public history, library science, or related work.
• Familiarity with cataloging, inventory, accession records, object numbering, or collection databases/spreadsheets.
• Knowledge of basic museum handling, rehousing, and preventive conservation practices.
• Ability to work independently and produce practical, usable procedures for a small museum.
• Strong organizational, writing, and communication skills.
• Experience working with historical, institutional, cultural, or public-sector collections.

A graduate degree in museum studies, public history, library/information science, archives, history, or a related field is preferred but not required if the applicant has relevant practical experience.

Work Location and Schedule

Most collection handling, inventory, cataloging review, and staff training must be performed onsite at the Museum in Angola, Louisiana. Some work, such as drafting procedures, preparing reports, and organizing documentation, may be completed off-site with the approval of the Museum Director.

The project is expected to require part-time work over a one-year period. A proposed schedule should be included in the applicant’s response.

Compensation

The contract amount is not to exceed $50,000 for the one-year project. Applicants should provide a proposed fee structure, including hourly rate or project-based fee, estimated hours, and any assumptions.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should submit the following:

1. Cover letter describing relevant experience and approach to the project, not to exceed 3 pages;
2. Resume or CV;
3. Proposed work plan or schedule;
4. Proposed fee structure;
5. Three to five examples of similar work, if available; and
6. Three professional references.

Please submit materials by email to:

angolamuseum@angolamuseum.org

Subject line: Collections Contractor Proposal – [Applicant Name]

Deadline

Applications/proposals are due by JULY 9, 2026

Selection Process

Responses will be reviewed by a Selection Committee appointed by the Museum Board President. The committee may conduct interviews before making a recommendation. Final selection is subject to approval by the Museum’s authorized representatives and execution of a professional services agreement.

The Louisiana Prison Museum & Cultural Center reserves the right to reject any or all responses, waive informalities, and negotiate the final scope, schedule, and fee structure with the selected contractor.