Senior Registrar & Collection Management, Gallery of American Art

We are currently seeking an experienced Senior Registrar and Collection Manager to join a gallery for American Art. As the Senior Registrar and Collections Manager, you will be expected to maintain the highest standards of excellence in collection management, inventory control, and exhibition preparation. Your responsibilities will include overseeing the physical care of artworks, managing inventory records, coordinating exhibition operational preparations, and facilitating an active international museum loan program. The ideal candidate will have exceptional attention to detail and an understanding of historical material.

Tasks:

Collection Management

• Oversee the physical care, storage, and handling of artworks, ensuring best practices and preventative measures are in place
• Collaborate with the registrar and preparator department to implement systems to ensure the long-term preservation of the collection

Inventory Management

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date artwork records, regularly auditing the database to ensure inventory records are complete and correct
• Collaborate with the research department to ensure comprehensive information is recorded in the database
• Conduct condition reports on all incoming and outgoing artwork
• Works with preparator department to conduct regular audits of inventory in storage, anticipating and managing storage needs

Exhibitions

• Collaborate with the Director to plan and create checklists for exhibitions and estate management
• Anticipate and assess exhibition needs, coordinating with the preparator department for installation and de-installation requirements
• Ensure artwork arrives at the gallery by specified deadlines

Loan Management

• Assist the Director in managing an active international museum loan program, adhering to strict protocols for artwork release
• Communicate deadlines and requirements to relevant departments
• When needed, act as artwork courier to museums for the oversight of care and installation

Qualifications:

• BA, MA, or MFA in art history, studio art, museum studies, or related field required
• Several years of experience in a fine art gallery, museum, or equivalent with thorough knowledge of collections management, including cataloguing, inventorying, and preserving artworks
• Passion for historical artwork and objects
• Experience handing artwork with a thorough understanding of conservation practices
• Extremely detail oriented and capable of prioritising and executing multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment
• Thorough knowledge of Museum standards for packing, crating, handling, installing, and housing artworks
• Familiarity with security measures and loss-prevention techniques
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; aptitude for quick learning, problem solving and teamwork, as well as informed on contemporary issues and artistic concerns
• Professional appearance and demeanour is important and required as all staff work near visitors and clients