Assistant Registrar at the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art
Job Title: Assistant Registrar
Job Status: Full-time
Location: Los Angeles, CA
About The Lucas Museum Of Narrative Art
As the first museum to focus exclusively on storytelling through images, the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art believes that visual storytelling can connect us and help shape a more just society. With a growing collection that encompasses artworks from across cultures, places, times, and mediums, including paintings, sculptures, murals, photography, comic art, book and magazine illustrations, and the arts of filmmaking, the Lucas Museum will explore narrative art’s potential to prompt questions, invite opinions, inspire community, and move people to think about the impact of images on our world.
Co-founded by George Lucas and Mellody Hobson and led by director and CEO Sandra Jackson-Dumont, the Lucas Museum was designed by renowned architect Ma Yansong of MAD Architects with Stantec as executive architect and is under construction in Los Angeles’s Exposition Park. An 11-acre campus with extensive new green space designed by Studio-MLA will embrace the museum’s 300,000-square-foot building, which will feature expansive galleries, two state-of-the-art theaters, and dedicated spaces for learning and engagement, dining, retail, and events. .
Position Summary
The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art seeks an Associate Registrar to support the Registration team. Reporting to the Associate Registrar, NorCal, the Assistant Registrar will be responsible for the physical processing, cataloging, condition inspecting, photographing, id tagging, and measuring of collection objects. Collaborating with the Collections Information and Digital Assets (CIDA) staff, the position holder will maintain and improve the integrity of the collections data in The Museum System (TMS), the museum’s collections management system. The position holder will also partner with Collections Management staff to ensure that professional packing, handling, object movement and storage methods are followed according to best practices, in order to best prepare the collection for eventual relocation to Los Angeles.
This position will work collaboratively with all levels of management and staff in Registration and Collections Management. The ideal candidate for this position will have strong time management and organizational skills, work well in a team environment as well as be independently motivated, be an excellent communicator and problem solver, and thrive within a fast-paced work environment.This position is based in the San Francisco Bay area and is a non-exempt, part time position, working a maximum of 30 hours week during regular museum office hours (M-F, 8:30am- 5:30pm), on a specific schedule to be determined. The position is a three (3) year contract position, with the possibility of renewal and relocation to Los Angeles.
Responsibilities
- Physically process, tag, and inventory collection objects, in preparation for a variety of activities including but not limited to: primary archival housing, object professional photography, objects slated for loan and exhibition
- Review and consolidate physical collection object files
- Work with Collections Information team to maintain accurate object information within the digital object files in The Museum System (TMS), the museum’s collections management system;
- Work with Collections Management team as well as contract art handlers and preparators to coordinate the movement of crates, containers, and objects post-processing, in preparation for object relocation to Los Angeles
- Coordinate and track all object movement
- Arrange fine art shipping logistics
- Special projects as designated by Head of Registration
CORE COMPETENCIES
- Planning & Organizing-Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; must be extremely detail oriented and able to work under minimal supervision; sets clearly defined objectives; plans activities and projects well in advance and takes account of possible changing circumstances; manages time effectively; identifies and organizes resources needed to accomplish tasks; monitors performance against deadlines and milestones; knowledge and experience working in Microsoft Office 365 suite and collections management systems, preferably The Museum System (TMS).
- Adapting &Responding to change- Good hand-eye coordination, manual dexterity, and spatial reasoning; adapts to changing circumstances; accepts new ideas and change initiatives; adapts interpersonal style to suit different people or situations; shows respect and sensitivity towards differences; deals with ambiguity by making positive use of the opportunities it presents; ability to manage multiple work processes and projects simultaneously and be receptive to changing priorities.
- Adhering to Principles & Values– Upholds ethics and values; demonstrates integrity; promotes and defends equal opportunities; encourages organizational and individual responsibility; ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with colleagues, volunteers, and interns and the ability to professionally represent the Museum to outside colleagues, lenders, donors, and members of the artistic community.
- Presenting & Communicating Information- Speaks clearly and fluently; provides accurate information and key points of an argument clearly; proven ability to build relationships, engage with and work effectively and positively with a diverse group of museum colleagues; responds quickly to the needs of an audience and to their reactions and feedback; excellent creative problem solver; ability to exercise sound judgement and thrive in an entrepreneurial, collaborative and nimble work environment; ability to manage multiple work processes and projects simultaneously and be receptive to changing priorities.
- Writing & Reporting-Writes clearly, succinctly, and correctly; writes convincingly in an engaging and expressive manner; avoids the unnecessary use of jargon or complicated language; writes in a well-structured and logical way; structures information to meet the needs and understanding of the intended audience.
- Knowledge of the Field – Familiarity with and possesses a strong desire to improve upon their understanding of professional museum standards, object handling, collection care principles and museum registration practices.
Qualifications Education & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Art History, Museum Studies, Library Sciences or a related field;
- Minimum 1-year related experience working in registration, collections management or curatorial department in a museum or gallery setting.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND OUR COMMITMENT TO DEAIB
The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art embraces diversity and equal opportunity. We are committed to building a team that represents and supports a variety of backgrounds and perspectives. The Lucas Museum fosters a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment, whether based on race, national origin, gender, gender expression, religion, ethnic background, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other criterion prohibited by applicable federal, state, or local laws. We believe that diversity and inclusion among our team is critical to our success, and we seek to recruit, develop, and retain talented people from a diverse candidate pool. Applications from traditionally underrepresented communities are encouraged.The statements in this description represent typical elements, criteria, and general work performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required for the job.
MISSION AND VISION
We are a museum dedicated to the art of storytelling. Through visual storytelling the Lucas Museum expands the role of art and museums for society. The Museum inspires thought provoking ideas and conversations that are relevant within and beyond geographic boundaries. Our work radiates to catalyze more connected and empathetic spaces. The art of storytelling connects us to shape a more just society.
VALUES
Our internal and external practice is shaped by the following beliefs and behaviors.
PEOPLE FIRST
We meet people wherever they are (physically, intellectually, emotionally). Our inclusive practice connects who people are and what people find meaningful, to works of art and the work of our organization.
INSPIRED
We believe that art can move you to feel, think, reflect, and act.
COLLABORATIVE
We believe that nimble thinking and working together yields exponential results.
BRAVE
We approach our work and learning with courage, creativity, curiosity, and a sense of adventure.
4 STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
ART
Amplify the social impact of Narrative Art through an approach that bridges the academic and the popular.
COMMUNITY
Connect to a broad and diverse public by create an institution rooted in impactful, respectful, sustainable relationships.
INCLUSION
Practice diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility and belonging in all operational and programmatic aspects of our work.
OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE
Create a healthy and durable institution equipped to fulfill its vision and public mandate. All staff at the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art lead through a deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, both within the Museum and with the communities that we serve. Salary and titles will be assigned commensurate to the successful candidates’ education and experience. An attractive compensation package will be offered to the successful candidate(s).Pursuant to the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art’s COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccination Policy, the museum requires all new hires to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment absent an approved medical and/or religious exemption. Upon hire, all new hires will receive detailed instructions on complying with this policy. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.