Uncovering Midwest Histories on Film During the Time of Covid-19

FAIN: PB-274021-20

Chicago Film Archives, NFP (Chicago, IL 60616-1120)
Yasmin Desouki (Project Director: May 2020 to November 2024)

The retention and hiring of four positions at the Chicago Film Archives to process and digitize portions of four audiovisual collections documenting Midwest culture and history.

"Uncovering Midwest Histories" is an effort to remedy the universal problem of archives - that of having too few staff to meet the challenge of processing a multitude of collections that contain enormous numbers of items. Because of the abrupt halt of everyday operations at CFA caused by COVID-19, social distancing measures, and a recession, CFA will take this opportunity to have its staff focus on processing four large and important film collections that CFA has not had the time nor capacity to address under normal circumstances. Simultaneously, CFA will evolve an effective and safe way of operating in the office as social distancing becomes a necessary and routine component of operations.