ART REGISTRAR (full-time)

Job Description

Under direction, the Museum Registrar is a critical position to the department and the collection operations by performing a wide variety of professional registration duties in support of the museum's collections management and exhibition programs. The Museum Registrar will oversee the intake and processing of all new acquisitions, averaging approximately 800 objects annually. This position also manages all registration aspects of the institution's deaccessioning process.

Essential Duties

Receives, inspects, accessions, documents, labels and catalogs objects acquired for collections and/or exhibitions; makes notes and/or comments on condition reports; oversees deaccession procedures in compliance with collection management policies.

Oversees the movement, exhibition, storage, and disposition of art objects in order to guarantee security of the collections, including coordination with conservators, preparators, designers, curators and photographers.

Facilitates care and security of collections of art and artifacts on site; coordinates with conservators regarding the conditions necessary to store objects in a seismically safe, temperate place; controls art storage area; oversees object movement, internal and external; conducts periodic inventories of collection areas; maintains storage records and shelf lists.

Arranges for insurance on permanent collection, outgoing or incoming loans, including executing applications for federal indemnification of international exhibitions, maintaining insurance coverage and computing premiums when due, and processing liability and damage claims.

Prepares agreements and arrangements for outgoing and incoming loans, special exhibitions or permanent installation of objects, including contractual arrangements, loan agreement forms, exhibition contracts, condition reports, facility reports, supplying photographs, cataloging information, and other documents related to collections management.

Makes shipping arrangements for incoming and outgoing objects; inspects objects and checks condition reports, making notes as needed; coordinates the packing, crating and couriering of objects; establishes the date and method of shipping items. Works collaboratively with museum staff including curators, conservators, preparators, and packers, as well as representatives of other museums and outside art handling personnel such as airline personnel and cargo handlers in coordinating, scheduling, and monitoring the safe and legal movement of objects.

Researches and provides accurate information to museum administrators, staff and board members, representatives of other museums and the general public regarding loans, special collections, catalog information, packing, shipping, and insurance; promotes compliance with federal, state, and local laws relating to art collections management.

Serves as a courier accompanying valuable objects of art in transit as required. Accompanies art to offsite storage or airport cargo facility, oversees containerization and security; coordinates with customs broker; travels with art; supervises loading and unloading of crates at airport, borrowing museum and other venues. May oversee installation of objects at borrowing museums.

May prepare and manage special project budgets as required.

May train and supervise the work of subordinate personnel such as associate or assistant registrars, interns, and volunteers when required.

May check exhibitions to ensure environmental standards and security.

Performs related duties as required.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Possession of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university in art, art history, museum studies, arts administration or a closely related field and four years of verifiable museum registration experience; OR

Possession of a master's degree from an accredited college or university in art, art history, museum studies, arts administration or a closely related postgraduate program and two years of verifiable museum registration experience. AND

Computer literacy in word processing, database management and a computerized registration system.

Applicants must meet the minimum qualification requirement by the filing date unless otherwise noted.

One year of full-time employment is equivalent to 2,000 hours. (2,000 hours of qualifying work experience is based on a 40-hour work week). Any overtime hours that you work above forty (40) hours per week are not included in the calculation to determine full-time employment.

Desirable Qualifications

Knowledge of and diversified experience with museum registration methods and techniques particularly as they relate to accessioning and deaccessioning.

Ability to work effectively with a variety of donors, vendors, international and domestic institutions.

Thorough knowledge of and efficient mastery of software and databases, including applications such as Microsoft Office and collections management database systems.

Familiarity with customs restrictions, provenance and repatriation issues, and pertinent fine arts insurance practices.

Familiarity with basic conservation concepts, procedures, and terms. Skill and awareness in regard to the sensitive handling of works of art, including current best practices in packing, crating, and transportation of objects.

Demonstrated organizational skills and knowledge of pertinent office and administrative procedures, including: basic accounting (A/P, A/R, POs); rigorous collections documentation practices; receipting; organizing and maintaining digital and hard-copy records.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Extremely high level of accuracy and attention to detail; commitment to efficiency and effectiveness of systems and schedules.

Ability to work well under pressure and with conflicting demands.

Ability to efficiently and effectively work on a variety of projects concurrently, with attention to the goals and priorities of the department and the Museums.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with colleagues, volunteers, interns, and effectively represent the Museum to outside professionals, lenders, donors, and members of the artistic community.

Additional Information

Verification: Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process.

Selection Procedures: After application submission, candidates deemed qualified must complete all subsequent steps to advance in this selection process, which includes the MQSQ and Supplemental Questionnaire.

Note: This description reflects the role and responsibilities as described, and does not include promotional content beyond what is necessary to describe the job and the department.

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