Permanent Collection-Contract Registrar (Freelance)

This is a freelance (1099) independent contractor position and is not a benefits-eligible employee role.  

Reporting to the Head Registrar, Permanent Collection, the Contract Registrar will be responsible for coordinating all aspects of outgoing international loans, including crating, packing, transportation, courier logistics, insurance, security, and condition reporting. This role will have a great degree of latitude to perform the essential duties as listed below.  

Responsibilities 

• Prepare loan documentation, including agreements and invoices for loan and insurance fees 
• Coordinate with internal departments (Conservation, Art Handling, Curatorial, and Director’s Office) on object preparation, framing, valuations, and related approvals 
• Serve as courier or coordinate in-person and virtual couriers, including oversight of tracking devices for shipments 
• Maintain accurate loan records in The Museum System (TMS) and ensure all loan files are current 
• Conduct condition reports for artworks prior to departure and upon return 
• Arrange and oversee crating, packing, and safe handling of artworks.
• Coordinate international shipping logistics with customs brokers and freight forwarders 
• Liaise with the Museum’s insurance broker to review borrowing institutions’ fine arts insurance coverage 
• Manage logistics for artwork transport, installation, and condition reporting for Acquisition Committee meetings and special events 
• Support exhibition activities as needed, including condition checks and supervision of couriers during installation and deinstallation 
• Perform other related duties as assigned 

Qualifications 

• B.A. in art history or museum studies (M.A. preferred);  
• 5-10 years of registration experience, preferably at an art museum, with demonstrated knowledge of best museum practices and procedures.  
• Experience with domestic and international shipping, customs brokers/freight forwarding, packing methods, and fine arts insurance.  
• Strong attention to detail.  
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and meet deadlines in a team-oriented environment.  
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.  
• Knowledge of and/or experience with The Museum System (TMS).

Compensation and Benefits

• Pay rate of $60 - $65 per hour (4 days a week, expected to last 5 months) 
• Admission to world-renowned museums across the city and nationally

If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply. We are dedicated to considering a broad array of independent contractor candidates.  Please use your cover letter to tell us about your interest in the arts and culture space and what you hope to bring to this role.  

About the Whitney:

The Whitney Museum of American Art, founded in 1930 by the artist and philanthropist Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, houses the foremost collection of American art from the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. From her vision arose the Whitney Museum of American Art, which has been championing the most innovative art of the United States for 86 years. The core of the Whitney’s mission is to collect, preserve, interpret, and exhibit American art of our time and serve a wide variety of audiences in celebration of the complexity and diversity of art and culture in the United States. Through this mission and a steadfast commitment to artists themselves, the Whitney has long been a powerful force in support of modern and contemporary art and continues to help define what is innovative and influential in American art today.

EEO Statement:

The Whitney Museum of American Art is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Museum does not discriminate because of age, sex, religion, race, color, creed, national origin, alienage or citizenship, disability, marital status, pregnancy, partnership status, caregiver status, veteran status, gender (including gender identity), sexual orientation, genetic information, predisposition, or carrier status, arrest or conviction record to the extent required by applicable law, credit history, domestic violence, sexual violence, or stalking victim status, or any other factor prohibited by law.  The Museum hires and promotes individuals solely on the basis of their qualifications for the job to be filled. The Museum encourages all qualified candidates to apply for vacant positions at all levels.