Registrar

POSITION SUMMARY

The Michener Art Museum in Doylestown, PA, seeks a Registrar to provide support to the Curatorial and Exhibitions departments by overseeing the care, maintenance, and safety of the museum’s permanent collection, exhibition loans, and their related digital and physical records. The Museum houses a collection of nearly 4,000 paintings, sculptures, works on paper, and other artworks, with strengths in Pennsylvania Impressionism and modern and contemporary art and craft. It presents approximately six temporary exhibitions a year which draw visitors from across the region. The Registrar reports to the Museum’s Gerry and Marguerite Lenfest Chief Curator and works closely with the Assistant Curator, Director of Exhibitions, Exhibitions Manager, Preparators, Director of Building Operations, and external vendors, including art shippers, art handlers, and conservators, to coordinate and assist with the transportation, storage, installation and deinstallation of artwork. The Registrar is also the administrator of Axiell Collections, the Museum’s collections management database, and manages rights and reproduction requests for collections objects.

FLSA: Exempt

Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to: 

• Establish priorities for collections management in consultation with Curatorial and Exhibitions staff. Review and update collections policies and procedures including, but not limited to, the Collections Management Policy, Emergency Preparedness Plan, gift agreements, loan agreements, rights and reproduction, and database style guides
• With Chief Curator, implement policies and procedures for the physical care, conservation, and security of the permanent collection. Review data loggers in galleries and storage areas to monitor climate
• Create and maintain collection records including object files, legal documents, loan files, reference files, donor correspondence, fine art insurance, and deaccessions
• Facilitate and schedule the packing, shipping, condition reporting, and documentation of collections and incoming and outgoing loans for exhibitions (on-site and traveling)
• Assist with the installation/deinstallation and packing and transportation of artwork as needed
• Serve as administrator for the museum’s Axiell Collections management software, update and maintain records and corrects data as needed
• Manage collection and exhibition photography and the processing and organization of digital collections images
• Process new acquisitions. Assist with Collections Committee activities and collections research
• Maintain and organize collections storage with staff, determine storage methods for collections and loans
• Manage the rights and reproduction of collections images. Request reproduction permission from the copyright holders of artwork in the collection that is not in the public domain
• Identify, purchase, and restock collections and emergency preparedness supplies
• Act as a courier, or assist with designating a courier, as needed
• Conduct periodic collections inventory
• Participate in the development of grant proposals
• Review, verify, and edit label copy and artwork credit lines as needed
• Supervise Registrarial and Collections interns
• Additional duties as assigned

Qualifications and Requirements:

• B.A. in museum studies, art history or related field, M.A. in museum studies preferred
• 3-5 years of collections management experience
• Knowledge of art handling, museum registration methods and collections care practices. Understanding and dedication to museum ethics and standards as outlined by AAM and AAMD 
• High level of competency with collections management software. Knowledge of Axiell Collections preferred.
• Knowledge of MS Office, including Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams and SharePoint
• Strong project management skills, with ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Excellent organization and communication skills
• Ability to lift 30 lbs., climb ladders and use basic tools

Position includes a generous benefits package and salary range of $50,000-$55,000. Salary commensurate with experience.

Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and three professional references to jobs@michenerartmuseum.org. Please indicate your last name and “Registrar” in the subject line. No phone calls, please. We will respond to those candidates whose qualifications are best aligned with the components of this job description. Applicant review will continue until the position is filled. 

The James A. Michener Art Museum is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Michener Staff are expected to maintain a genuine and deep commitment to diversity and inclusion.