Charter

I. Purpose

Whereas, four-in-ten ARSC members participate in the preservation and study of sound recordings avocationally and not as a profession (ARSC 2.0 Membership Survey); and

Whereas, significant advancements in the field of sound recordings are generated outside of the professional community by independently directed avocational initiatives; and

Whereas, independent initiatives are generally excluded from material support by granting agencies, public institutions, and employers; and

Whereas, ARSC exists to support the generation and sharing of knowledge among all persons contributing to the broad field of reproduction, storage, preservation, and understanding of sound recordings (Bylaws, Article II);

ARSC’s Board of Directors establishes the ARSC Independent Initiatives Award.

The award serves the following purposes:

1. It celebrates initiatives, independently undertaken by individuals outside of their professional duties, which are yielding exemplary outcomes and promising to yield more.
2. It materially supports such initiatives and elevates them as exemplars for emulation.
3. It disseminates the lessons learned from such initiatives via ARSC’s conferences, publications, and webinars.
4. It reinforces ARSC’s position, unique in a field populated by professional associations, as the organization embracing expertise generated by and shared among all persons engaged in the management and study of sound collections.

II. Process

The award is administered by the Independent Initiatives committee consisting of:

1. A chairperson appointed by ARSC’s President,
2. ARSC’s Second Vice President or their designee,
3. The Editor of ARSC’s Journal or their designee, and
4. At least one member appointed by the chairperson.

Any individual who is materially and avocationally contributing to the preservation, availability, and study of sound recordings can be considered for the award. Individuals who are employed in a profession dealing with sound recordings can be considered on the merits of personal initiatives uncompensated by their employers. Nominees need not be members of ARSC.

Individuals may not apply for the award on their own behalf. They must be nominated, and anyone can nominate one or more individuals for the award. Nominations should introduce the committee to the individual and their accomplishments, enumerate their achievement’s contributions to the field, and explain how the award may support their ongoing initiatives.

Members of the committee and officers of the Board of Directors are excluded from consideration during their terms of service.

The chairperson determines award recipients and the size of each award with the advice and consent of the committee. Recipients are notified in January of each year and are encouraged to present their work at ARSC’s annual conference, in ARSC’s Journal, and other ARSC venues as appropriate.

III. Criteria

The committee considers the merits of independent initiatives as established by their productive impact, current or potential, on the field of recorded sound preservation and study. Candidates may be:

1. Sharing knowledge and expertise gained from extensive experience with sound carriers.
2. Developing technologies to facilitate the safe and effective transfer of audio recordings.
3. Conserving primary source materials and research libraries related to sound recording.
4. Advancing awareness of our audio heritage and the cultural benefits of preserving it.
5. Contributing to audio-related STEM education both in and outside of the classroom.
6. Advancing best conservation and preservation practices among private collectors.
7. Managing websites that materially enhance the availability of historical audio.
8. Documenting the historical outputs and activities of record companies.
9. Correcting and augmenting historical accounts of sound recording.
10. Building systems to play recordings unplayable by existing means.
11. Preserving significant audio recordings.
12. Rescuing audio from damaged carriers.
13. Undertaking discographical research.
14. Curating collections of significance.

Awards are not limited to these initiatives; they are provided as examples only.

IV. Funding

Each recipient receives an award of no less than $2,000 and no more than $10,000 based on the committee’s assessment of the value of their initiatives to the field. At least one award is presented each year, and the chairperson may grant as many awards as designated funds allow.

The committee coordinates with ARSC’s Executive Director as required to raise funds from ARSC’s membership for the award. The committee assists ARSC’s Director of Development in applications for external grants to support the award.

Approved: ARSC Board of Directors – August 30, 2022