Fatima Mahdi Email & Phone Number

Richmond, Virginia Area

I am now the ruler/judge/slave of all things TMS at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in glorious Richmond.

As a freelance database design consultant, I have designed new systems, and redesigned old systems, for various types of databases. Many have been art collections databases, but I have also designed exhibitions, membership, and research databases, and even a database for an environmental monitoring company. I have also written data entry and search guides for these databases. I work mostly in FileMaker Pro.Some of my clients include: • U.S. Senate Commission on Art, Washington, DC• Asia Society, New York, NY• American Federation of Arts, New York, NY• American Watercolor Society, New York, NY• Salmagundi Club, New York, NY

For two years I worked at the wondrous Metropolitan Museum of Art, helping the Office of the Registrar make the most out of their database systems and streamline information processes. I worked mainly with TMS, but two older systems for exhibitions and loans were also in place.

For the last couple of years I have been having a lot of fun and learning about the world of Native media at the Film and Video Center of the National Museum of the American Indian. I have performed a whole range of tasks to support the amazing programming schedule of the center, from database management and media organization to research and writing. They even let me pick a few films to show from time to time!As the Information Services Assistant to the center, I:• Manage collections database (Indigenous Media Online system); administer user accounts• Catalog collections materials; create & update database records; clean up data in older records• Train staff, interns & volunteers on database; supervised & checked their work• Write user guides• Create reports using Crystal Reports• Work with database designer & IT staff to improve database functionality• Prepare database records to feed new collections website; work with web & IT staff to adapt database to needs of web publishing• Research & write marketing materials, film notes, biographies, blog posts, departmental reports; fact check & proofread departmental materials written by others; coordinate printed calendar & prepare files for designer & copyeditor• Assist outside researchers with access to collections materials• Media storage organization; filing & file system organization• Manage general department e-mail

At the Historical Society, I managed the FileMaker Pro collection database, which I also designed. The database is part of the Mary Allison Archive Project to digitize the collections of the Historical Society's archive, winner of award of merit from the American Association of State and Local History for the excellence of its local-history collection. The database now contains records for over 15,000 items, representing approximately 90% of the collection -- and we're still plugging away at it!As the Collections Assistant, I:• Designed & managed collection database (FileMaker Pro)• Cataloged collections materials; created & updated database records• Trained staff, interns & volunteers on database; supervised & checked their work• Wrote user guides• Photographed & scanned collections materials; processed & archived digital images• Assisted researchers with access to collections materials, documentation & images• Assisted trustees with research & planning for exhibitions & publication projects• Managed general organization e-mail• Research & write articles & blog posts on the collection; assist with editing, design & production of educational & marketing materials, book, calendar, newsletter, postcards, etc.

At the Asia Society, I worked on a web site project called the "Collection In Context," an online presentation of the Asia Society Museum's permanent collection (www.asiasocietymuseum.org). The project was completed in 2001 and won honorable mention in the American Association of Museums’ 2002 MUSE awards for outstanding achievement in museum media.As the producer, I:• Developed & managed FileMaker Pro database housing the content of the web site• Worked with the web site programmer to insure that all data was transferred and displayed correctly• Liaised with editor and content producers to develop the content• Consulted on site design• Managed project production

At the MMA, I worked on the online "Timeline of Art History" project (www.metmuseum.org/toah). The web site debuted in October 2000 with “The Ancient World” segment. On the TOAH project, I:• Developed & managed FileMaker Pro databases housing the site content• Collaborated with a colleague to design the information structure & navigation for the site• Edited text & managed the editorial process• Liaised with content producers, curators, editorial staff, and IT staff to make sure all the parts of the project came together at the right time