I am both a trained Archivist and Librarian; mixed in with a budding computational archivist/museum person. I am keenly interested in the greater use of information, technology, and primary sources in unique and innovative ways to solve problems. Professionally, I am drawn to the big questions and ideas revolving around histories and machines; use, public engagement, strategic thinking and planning, and project management. My more personal research endeavors look at various archival and historiographical approaches to Black identity, representation, and silenced records.
| dominiqueluster_resume2019.pdf |
Teenie Harris Archivist, Carnegie Museum of Art
- Steward for archival integrity, access, and use of approx. 80,000 photographic negatives and corresponding digital surrogates, prints, oral histories, home movies, and manuscript materials.
- Responsible for improving discoverability and accessibility of the collection and developing comprehensive metadata profiles on the CMOA collection site and external collection aggregators.
- Responsible for administration of department; to include: budget and assets, programs (community outreach and education), project management, and grant writing and management.
- Invited member for the 2018-2020 CMOA Strategic Planning Committee; Project Management Development Working Group, and Digital Collection Committee.
- Curating and organizing (to include budget, research, publications, and interpretive materials) one to two photography exhibition projects per year that are seen by +400,000 museum visitors annually.
- Project Lead for the A.W. Mellon/University of Nevada, Las Vegas funded grant award: Collections as Data: Redefining Creators, Users, and Stewards of the Charles Teenie Harris Photography Archive
Exhibitions
Teenie Harris Photographs: Service and Sacrifice
January 27 - May 28, 2018
*'Pittsburgh 360: Service and Sacrifice': A mini-documentary produced by WQED Television regarding this exhibition received the Mid-Atlantic Emmy Award for Historical/Cultural -Program Feature/Segment.
In 1770, Crispus Attucks, a black man, became the first person to die in the pursuit of American independence. Attucks served as a model for centuries to come, as black men and women fought in armed positions when white Americans felt threatened by outside enemies. Indeed, African Americans often fought and died abroad for a country that marginalized them with segregation and Jim Crow laws at home.
Black Soldiers Matter. And their unique experiences frame the conversation of this exhibition. During the 1940s, Charles “Teenie” Harris photographed over 1,500 soldiers in his studio, located on Centre Avenue in Pittsburgh’s Hill District; these portraits were his contribution to the war effort. As a photojournalist for the Pittsburgh Courier, Harris also captured the realities—points of pride and points of sorrow—of a “separate but equal” service to one’s country.
Here we balance three voices, each with their unique insights. Teenie Harris, the photographer observing and documenting African American life. Eugene Boyer, Sr., a veteran of World War II and Korea. Lance Woods, 60 years Boyer’s junior, a veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan. Each of their unique perspectives is woven into a shared history.
Teenie Harris Photographs: Erroll Garner and Jazz from the Hill
Carnegie Museum of Art: December 2016-July 2017
August Wilson Center: December 2016- February 2017
The time period from 1935 to 1960, often considered the golden age of jazz, was a pivotal moment in American music history, particularly in Pittsburgh. It was when the Hill District, a neighborhood that Harlem Renaissance poet Claude McKay once referred to as “the crossroads of the world,” became a vital destination for jazz musicians from across the country. Teenie Harris Photographs: Erroll Garner and Jazz from the Hill celebrates the social and cultural history of this era by focusing on the work of jazz pianist and composer Erroll Garner (1921–1977), who alongside close friends and collaborators such as Billy Eckstine, Leroy Brown, Stanley Turrentine, and Dizzy Gillespie helped define the sound of a generation while performing in venues like the Crawford Grill and the Hurricane Club.
Articles I've written on the Exhibition:
January 27 - May 28, 2018
*'Pittsburgh 360: Service and Sacrifice': A mini-documentary produced by WQED Television regarding this exhibition received the Mid-Atlantic Emmy Award for Historical/Cultural -Program Feature/Segment.
In 1770, Crispus Attucks, a black man, became the first person to die in the pursuit of American independence. Attucks served as a model for centuries to come, as black men and women fought in armed positions when white Americans felt threatened by outside enemies. Indeed, African Americans often fought and died abroad for a country that marginalized them with segregation and Jim Crow laws at home.
Black Soldiers Matter. And their unique experiences frame the conversation of this exhibition. During the 1940s, Charles “Teenie” Harris photographed over 1,500 soldiers in his studio, located on Centre Avenue in Pittsburgh’s Hill District; these portraits were his contribution to the war effort. As a photojournalist for the Pittsburgh Courier, Harris also captured the realities—points of pride and points of sorrow—of a “separate but equal” service to one’s country.
Here we balance three voices, each with their unique insights. Teenie Harris, the photographer observing and documenting African American life. Eugene Boyer, Sr., a veteran of World War II and Korea. Lance Woods, 60 years Boyer’s junior, a veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan. Each of their unique perspectives is woven into a shared history.
Teenie Harris Photographs: Erroll Garner and Jazz from the Hill
Carnegie Museum of Art: December 2016-July 2017
August Wilson Center: December 2016- February 2017
The time period from 1935 to 1960, often considered the golden age of jazz, was a pivotal moment in American music history, particularly in Pittsburgh. It was when the Hill District, a neighborhood that Harlem Renaissance poet Claude McKay once referred to as “the crossroads of the world,” became a vital destination for jazz musicians from across the country. Teenie Harris Photographs: Erroll Garner and Jazz from the Hill celebrates the social and cultural history of this era by focusing on the work of jazz pianist and composer Erroll Garner (1921–1977), who alongside close friends and collaborators such as Billy Eckstine, Leroy Brown, Stanley Turrentine, and Dizzy Gillespie helped define the sound of a generation while performing in venues like the Crawford Grill and the Hurricane Club.
Articles I've written on the Exhibition:
Writing & Speaking
Professionalism: As Pursuit of Archivist Identity
Excerpt from Archival Values: Essays in Honor of Mark A. Greene, Edited by Christine Weideman and Mary A. Caldera
Forthcoming from the Society of American Archivists, Fall 2019
Archives in Context: Episode #7 Dominique Luster
The podcast about Archives and the people behind them.
'Archives have the Power to Boost Marginalized Voices', Archival Outlook
Published by the Society of American Archivists; Fall/Winter issue 2018
Archives Matter: 8 mins of eloquent rage: The power of voice - archives of marginalized voices
TEDxPittsburgh 2018 Speaker - June 16, 2018
"Culture, Competencies, and Colleagues: a Cafe on divers*"
2017 Society of American Archivists Annual Meeting, Session Co-Presenter
Fellow session presenters: Ellen Engseth, Abdi Roble, Athena Jackson
Teaching "Teenie Harris Photographs: Erroll Garner, and Jazz from the Hill"
Training session for the Carnegie Museum of Art 55 member docent corp on upcoming Teenie Harris exhibition, November 2016
Presentation available HERE:
“Careful Mediation: Concealing, Revealing, and Constructing Identities”
OPERATING IDENTITY, History of Art and Architecture Graduate Symposium at the University of Pittsburgh - October 2016
-Panel Discussion Facilitator
Art >=< Archives
IGNITE style presentation for annual Connect & Learn in-service day at Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, September 2016
Presentation available HERE:
"Deconstructing Whiteness in Archives: Opportunities for Self-Reflection"
Society of American Archivist Annual Conference -workshop facilitator, August 2016
National Association for Schools of Theatre Accreditation, 2015
University of Pittsburgh Department of Theatre Arts
“Midwest Archives Conference 2015 Annual Meeting,” Provenance: XXXIII, Issue 1 (2015): 81
http://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/provenance/
Exhibition: “Kentucky Hemp”
University of Kentucky Special Collections Library April--‐June 2014
“Is Epic Theatre Still Epic? An Investigative Look at Brechtian Aesthetics”
National Conference for Undergraduate Research April 2014 Visual Arts Presentation,
“The Look of American Beauty from the 1950s to the Present”
Harvard University National Collegiate Research Conference January 2014 Poster Presentation
Excerpt from Archival Values: Essays in Honor of Mark A. Greene, Edited by Christine Weideman and Mary A. Caldera
Forthcoming from the Society of American Archivists, Fall 2019
Archives in Context: Episode #7 Dominique Luster
The podcast about Archives and the people behind them.
'Archives have the Power to Boost Marginalized Voices', Archival Outlook
Published by the Society of American Archivists; Fall/Winter issue 2018
Archives Matter: 8 mins of eloquent rage: The power of voice - archives of marginalized voices
TEDxPittsburgh 2018 Speaker - June 16, 2018
"Culture, Competencies, and Colleagues: a Cafe on divers*"
2017 Society of American Archivists Annual Meeting, Session Co-Presenter
Fellow session presenters: Ellen Engseth, Abdi Roble, Athena Jackson
Teaching "Teenie Harris Photographs: Erroll Garner, and Jazz from the Hill"
Training session for the Carnegie Museum of Art 55 member docent corp on upcoming Teenie Harris exhibition, November 2016
Presentation available HERE:
“Careful Mediation: Concealing, Revealing, and Constructing Identities”
OPERATING IDENTITY, History of Art and Architecture Graduate Symposium at the University of Pittsburgh - October 2016
-Panel Discussion Facilitator
Art >=< Archives
IGNITE style presentation for annual Connect & Learn in-service day at Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, September 2016
Presentation available HERE:
"Deconstructing Whiteness in Archives: Opportunities for Self-Reflection"
Society of American Archivist Annual Conference -workshop facilitator, August 2016
National Association for Schools of Theatre Accreditation, 2015
University of Pittsburgh Department of Theatre Arts
“Midwest Archives Conference 2015 Annual Meeting,” Provenance: XXXIII, Issue 1 (2015): 81
http://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/provenance/
Exhibition: “Kentucky Hemp”
University of Kentucky Special Collections Library April--‐June 2014
“Is Epic Theatre Still Epic? An Investigative Look at Brechtian Aesthetics”
National Conference for Undergraduate Research April 2014 Visual Arts Presentation,
“The Look of American Beauty from the 1950s to the Present”
Harvard University National Collegiate Research Conference January 2014 Poster Presentation
Leadership Training
2018 Harvard Library Leadership Institute
Radcliffe Institute Workshop on Technology and Archival Processing 2018
Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America, Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study
The Harvard Library Leadership Institute is a prologue to the Radcliffe Institute Workshop on Technology and Archival Processing 2018, To Create a More Complete Record: The Case for Archival Partnerships. This half-day session will be led by senior administrators and leaders in the profession. Instead of focusing on traditional areas of leadership such as the development of a strategic vision and priorities, it will emphasize skills that are necessary for becoming an effective advocate and for creating meaningful institutional change, especially in regard to diversity and social justice.
Coro Pittsburgh - Women in Leadership
The Coro Women in Leadership (WIL) program is a 10-month, part-time training program that provides women the opportunity to refine their personal and professional leadership competencies, and connect with other women from diverse backgrounds. Gender-specific workforce issues are discussed.
Graduates of the program gain improved leadership effectiveness to apply to their personal and professional lives, an enhanced ability to network within the community, and the access to resources to produce results.
New Leaders Council - Pittsburgh
New Leaders Council (NLC) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that engages a diverse, collaborative national network of progressive political entrepreneurs. The NLC Institute, a rigorous 5-month training program that focuses on entrepreneurship, advocacy, organizing, and fundraising. NLC seeks out the top tier of emerging progressive leaders from around the country for the Institute, building a community of vetted, trained progressive leaders with the skills and support system t o help to change the way politics is done and foster a more equitable, just America. The result of NLC is a growing corps of diverse and highly skilled new progressive leaders who rise to the top of their fields, working together across sectors and in their local cities to build, expand, and improve the progressive infrastructure necessary for strong democracy, social justice, and equal opportunity.
Radcliffe Institute Workshop on Technology and Archival Processing 2018
Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America, Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study
The Harvard Library Leadership Institute is a prologue to the Radcliffe Institute Workshop on Technology and Archival Processing 2018, To Create a More Complete Record: The Case for Archival Partnerships. This half-day session will be led by senior administrators and leaders in the profession. Instead of focusing on traditional areas of leadership such as the development of a strategic vision and priorities, it will emphasize skills that are necessary for becoming an effective advocate and for creating meaningful institutional change, especially in regard to diversity and social justice.
Coro Pittsburgh - Women in Leadership
The Coro Women in Leadership (WIL) program is a 10-month, part-time training program that provides women the opportunity to refine their personal and professional leadership competencies, and connect with other women from diverse backgrounds. Gender-specific workforce issues are discussed.
Graduates of the program gain improved leadership effectiveness to apply to their personal and professional lives, an enhanced ability to network within the community, and the access to resources to produce results.
New Leaders Council - Pittsburgh
New Leaders Council (NLC) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that engages a diverse, collaborative national network of progressive political entrepreneurs. The NLC Institute, a rigorous 5-month training program that focuses on entrepreneurship, advocacy, organizing, and fundraising. NLC seeks out the top tier of emerging progressive leaders from around the country for the Institute, building a community of vetted, trained progressive leaders with the skills and support system t o help to change the way politics is done and foster a more equitable, just America. The result of NLC is a growing corps of diverse and highly skilled new progressive leaders who rise to the top of their fields, working together across sectors and in their local cities to build, expand, and improve the progressive infrastructure necessary for strong democracy, social justice, and equal opportunity.
Professional Experience
Teenie Harris Archivist, Carnegie Museum of Art-- May 2016-Present
Liaison Librarian, University of Pittsburgh, August 2015--‐May 2016
Liaison research support and collection development for the Theatre Arts Department.
Provide library instruction designed to support teaching, learning, and enhance user satisfaction.
Cultivate relationships with departmental faculty to integrate library resources into curriculum.
Provide general and subject--‐specific reference and research support.
First Experiences in Research Instructor, Spring 2016
1‐2 credit course to class of 19 students in addition to mentoring one Undergraduate Teaching Assistant.
Course designed to prepare students involved in faculty research projects in various disciplines.
Learning objectives: Research Methods, Mentor-Relationships, Abstract and Poster Development.
Freshmen Programs Instructor, Fall 2015
Teach 1-credit Introduction to Arts and Sciences course to class of 19 students.
Learning objectives: Academic Skills, Honesty, and Communication, and Education Goals
Supervision and Guidance of one Undergraduate Teaching Assistant
Liaison Librarian, University of Pittsburgh, August 2015--‐May 2016
Liaison research support and collection development for the Theatre Arts Department.
Provide library instruction designed to support teaching, learning, and enhance user satisfaction.
Cultivate relationships with departmental faculty to integrate library resources into curriculum.
Provide general and subject--‐specific reference and research support.
First Experiences in Research Instructor, Spring 2016
1‐2 credit course to class of 19 students in addition to mentoring one Undergraduate Teaching Assistant.
Course designed to prepare students involved in faculty research projects in various disciplines.
Learning objectives: Research Methods, Mentor-Relationships, Abstract and Poster Development.
Freshmen Programs Instructor, Fall 2015
Teach 1-credit Introduction to Arts and Sciences course to class of 19 students.
Learning objectives: Academic Skills, Honesty, and Communication, and Education Goals
Supervision and Guidance of one Undergraduate Teaching Assistant
Horowitz-Fraad Collections Processing Intern
Archives of American, Smithsonian Institute
May - August 2014
Archives of American, Smithsonian Institute
May - August 2014
- Collection processing of diverse 20th century artists’ papers and creating online finding aids.
- Developed skills in thoughtful analysis and integration of contextual organizational details.
- Participated in SI EAD Users Working Group and AAA Social Media Working Group.
Specialized Skills
Command Line
Grant Writing and Management
IIIF - International Image Interoperability Framework
EMu Collections Management System by Axiell
MARC Records
Dublin Core/MODS Catalog Records
Voyager Library System
OCLC World Cat Library System
Spring Share Library Products
HTML, CSS, and XML, XSLT
EAD/EAC Finding Aids
Provenance Research
Adobe Creative Cloud C6
Social Media Marketing
Project Management
German Language: Reading Proficiency
Grant Writing and Management
IIIF - International Image Interoperability Framework
EMu Collections Management System by Axiell
MARC Records
Dublin Core/MODS Catalog Records
Voyager Library System
OCLC World Cat Library System
Spring Share Library Products
HTML, CSS, and XML, XSLT
EAD/EAC Finding Aids
Provenance Research
Adobe Creative Cloud C6
Social Media Marketing
Project Management
German Language: Reading Proficiency
Professional Activity
Digital Libraries Federation
Museums Cohort
Society of American Archivists (SAA)
2018 Nominating Committee (Chair)
Archives and Archivist of Color Roundtable
Museum Archives Section
Visual Materials Roundtable
Mid-Atlantic Regional Archives Conference (MARAC)
Midwest Archives Conference (MAC)
Museums Cohort
Society of American Archivists (SAA)
2018 Nominating Committee (Chair)
Archives and Archivist of Color Roundtable
Museum Archives Section
Visual Materials Roundtable
Mid-Atlantic Regional Archives Conference (MARAC)
Midwest Archives Conference (MAC)
Non-Archival Community Engagment
New Leaders Council - Board Member
YMCA Greater Pittsburgh Young Leaders Board Member
Rankin Christian Center Board Member
Junior League of Pittsburgh
Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh Young Professionals
YMCA Greater Pittsburgh Young Leaders Board Member
Rankin Christian Center Board Member
Junior League of Pittsburgh
Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh Young Professionals
Educational Experince
Diversity Librarianship Resident and Fellow
University of Pittsburgh
September 2014 - July 2015
University of Pittsburgh
September 2014 - July 2015
- One-year rotation throughout a number of the Library System departments including Scholarly Communication and Publishing, Information & Reference Services, Research and Educational Support, Assessment, Digital Scholarship, and Technical Services
- Participate in a variety of public and information management activities throughout library system.
- Assist in Research and Curriculum enhancement initiatives as a part of larger university strategic plan.
- Contribute to cross-departmental work-flows in effort to improve Library Research Services.
Special Collections Learning Lab Intern
University of Kentucky
October 2013- May 2014
University of Kentucky
October 2013- May 2014
- Collection processing of multi-format artists’ materials, project digitalization, and creating finding aids.
- Developed research skills to create a variety of content-based source materials.
- Completed independent scholarly project using collections for outreach education.
