Associate Registrar & Provenance Researcher at the Syracuse University Art Museum

Job Title: Associate Registrar & Provenance Researcher

Job Status: Full-time

Location: Syracuse, NY

Description

The Associate Registrar and Provenance Researcher at the Syracuse University Art Museum performs and assists with essential museum-related collections and management tasks. This position works with the registrar to manage over 45,000 collection objects, maintaining records for the collection and overseeing care, inventory, storage, and movement of the collection. The Associate Registrar and Provenance Researcher helps implement policies and procedures that are in keeping with best professional practice for the registration, documentation, fine art photography, packing, handling, storage, condition reports, display, and security of objects on loan to and in the SU Art Museum’s collections. Conducts ongoing TMS Collections database development and management, including recording locations, cataloging artworks, updating record information, unifying lexicon, accessioning, and inventory. Assists with the management and paperwork for new museum acquisitions, including gifts, transfers, and purchases. Undertakes provenance research on the collection to ensure museum has provenance documentation and adheres to ethical and legal standards stated in the museum’s Collections Management Policy and best practices established by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM).

Works with Registrar to implement policies and procedures that are in keeping with best professional practice for the registration, documentation, fine art photography, packing, handling, storage, condition reports, display, and security of objects on loan to and in the SU Art Museum’s collections.
  • Assists with implementing regular collections inventories and a regular schedule for location audits and condition reports for all objects in the Museum’s collections.
  • Conducts ongoing TMS and eMuseum database development and management, including recording locations, cataloging artworks, updating record information, unifying lexicon, accessioning, and inventory.
  • Helps maintain collection image files and assists with new art photography for digitization.
  • Assists with completing all paperwork for new museum acquisitions, including gifts, transfers, and purchases.
  • Assists with supervising and training art handling activities.
Assists with all programmed exhibitions including completing incoming and outgoing loan documentation, insurance, shipping, packing, condition reporting, photography, and all other loan requirements upholding museum standards.
  • Assists registrar and preparator with installation of collection objects and loaned materials.
  • Assists with packing and shipping of art and in-house shipments to and from off-site storage facility.
Undertakes provenance research to ensure all artworks in the collection meet the museums standards outlined in its Collections Management Policy and the American Alliance of Museum’s standards and best practices. 
  • Ensures compliance with laws and regulations pertaining to collections and collecting activities.
  • Assists with museum’s pursuit and retainment of AAM accreditation.
Coordinates with the curator of education and outreach to assist with class visits and pulling artwork in preparation for class visits.
  • Assists with research requests and related art pulls.
  • Responds to researchers about questions concerning the collection and object and donor files.
Perform related duties as required or deemed appropriate to the accomplishments of the responsibilities and functions related to this position.

 

Requirements

  • Thorough knowledge of best practices in conservation, insurance, object handling and museum legal and ethical issues.
  • Thorough knowledge of and experience with collections database software (TMS Collections preferred).
  • Strong written and oral communication skills.
  • Strong interpersonal skills and flexibility.
  • Exceptional attention to detail.
  • Strong organizational and supervisory skills.
  • Ability to manage multiple deadlines simultaneously and to work well with others.
  • Knowledge of Word, Excel, Outlook required.