Registrar at Princeton University Art Museum

Princeton University Art Museum is seeking an experienced Registrar to support the department with exhibition and loan activity.  The position will have responsibility for outgoing international loans, as well as sole responsibility for three or more assigned exhibitions per calendar year—one or more of which may travel to several national and/or international venues.   The position will report to the Chief Registrar and will work closely with the rest of the registrar department, including the Associate Registrars for domestic outgoing loans and for collections.  Additionally, the Registrar will interact with borrowers, lenders, insurance representatives, shipping and transport agents, and Museum curators, preparators, financial managers and administrators. 

This is a key position in a dynamic museum environment that regularly collaborates and/or partners with institutions around the country and abroad.  The successful applicant will be expected to provide a senior level of activity and input within the department.

This is a full-time, regular, benefits-eligible position.

Responsibilities:

Outgoing International Loans

The Registrar will generate all related documents and will approve—in consultation with others—and arrange all packing, courier, transportation and installation details for between 10 – 25 objects per year.  Other duties may include arranging for conservator and contract conservators to assess works of art and their ability to travel, as well as reviewing and negotiating foreign insurance policies and indemnity summaries and Borrower facility reports.  The Registrar will selects, debriefs and coordinates courier activity, including acting as courier when required.  The position also arranges and maintains the long-term outgoing loans program, which includes loans on campus and the Princeton area.  The Registrar will create, maintain and archive outgoing international loan and long-term outgoing loan files.

Exhibitions

The schedule consists of exhibitions generated by the Museum’s curators, and University faculty, as well as touring exhibitions organized by other institutions.  The position will be solely responsible for assigned loan exhibitions from the formal exhibition proposal approval through the close of the last venue.  Duties will include all aspects of exhibition related incoming loans of works of art including arranging all crating and transportation, budgeting for registrarial portion of exhibition (ranging from $50,000 to more than $500,000), and coordinating contract personnel (such as conservators and mount makers).  The successful candidate will also be responsible for insurance arrangements and for drafting and negotiating exhibition contracts.   The position will generate loan agreements, condition reports, insurance certificates, manage receipts and other financial documents; create and track invoices; and maintain complete and accurate records. 

Incoming Loans (Non-Exhibition)

The position will generate loan agreements, condition reports, insurance certificates, receipts, and other documents; maintain complete and accurate records in the Museum’s electronic collections management system (The Museum System®); coordinate all packing, transportation, courier, and other logistical arrangements; and initiate and coordinate systematic long-term loan renewals. The position will also be responsible for monitoring the budget for loans.

Essential Qualifications

  • BA required; MA in Art History, Museum Studies or related field strongly preferred.
  • Minimum of 4-6 years verifiable experience in museum registration and administration.
  • Strong computer skills: expert facility with MS Office, including Word, Access, Excel, and Outlook.
  • Experience with relational databases, especially The Museum System (TMS) preferred. 
  • Previous experience shipping loans and/or exhibitions domestically and internationally.
  • Extensive experience acting as a courier with artwork.
  • Knowledge of current best practices and standards in the field (including art handling, packing and shipping).
  • Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills (both written and verbal).
  • Demonstrated ability to prioritize tasks and to meet competing deadlines in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
  • Ability to be equally effective when working independently or as a part of a team.
  • Ability to create and track invoices and to develop and monitor a budget.
  • Experience with digital photography required, Photoshop and Portfolio preferred.
  • Meticulous work habits and attention to detail; consistency in procedures and quality of effort in all areas of work.
  • Confidence managing budgets

Must successfully pass a background check.

With a collecting history that extends back to 1755, the Princeton University Art Museum is one of the leading university art museums in the country, with collections that have grown to include more than 100,000 works ranging from ancient to contemporary art and spanning the globe. A private institution serving the public good, the Museum is committed to serving the University, local and regional communities, and beyond through a dynamic program of temporary exhibitions, new scholarship, and innovative programming. The Museum advances critical thinking and visual literacy at Princeton University and also serves as a gateway to the University for more than 200,000 visitors from around the world each year. The Museum is located at the heart of Princeton’s historic campus and is free and open to the public.

To learn more about the Art Museum, visit https://artmuseum.princeton.edu/.

To apply, please go to Registrar, Art Museum.

Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.  EEO IS THE LAW