Registrar (Collections) at the Worcester Art Museum

Job Title: Registrar (Collections) 

Job Status: Full-time

Location: Worcester, MA

Salary: $55,000.00 – $65,000.00

Job Overview:

Responsible for collections management of the museum’s art collection, including creation and maintenance of collections management records, systems and procedures, TMS administration and user support, collection inventory, the movement, storage, and care of collection objects, overseeing image and rights management systems and procedures.

Duties/Responsibilities: 

  • Develop and maintain policies, procedures, and systems for the management of the art collection, collection records and associated digital media.
  • Manage the TMS Collections Management System and relationship with the system’s vendor Gallery Systems. Database administration for TMS and eMuseum, including development and maintenance of data entry standards; management of user accounts and access levels; providing training and support for users; generating checklists and reports; and overseeing system upgrades.
  • Process acquisitions and deaccessions for the museum’s permanent collection, including coordinating shipping, generating Deeds of Gift, assigning object numbers, creation of new object and associated records in TMS.
  • Manage collection storage spaces to ensure standards of best practice for care and access to the collections are maintained; work with the Director of Collections Management/Chief Registrar to identify strategies for storage improvements.
  • Conduct environmental monitoring of Museum on-site collections storage and exhibition spaces, producing reports and charts as required.
  • Working with the Conservation Department, develop and implement Integrated Pest Management policy and procedures for collections in storage and on display.
  • Coordinate and manage internal and external movement of objects from the collection.
  • Maintain an up-to-date inventory of the collection.
  • Manage installation of collection items in permanent and temporary exhibitions, installations and displays.
  • Prioritize and schedule collections photography, processing of the images and uploading them and their associated metadata to TMS.
  • Oversee procedures for image rights and reproduction, working across departments to ensure they are implemented museum wide. Process requests for use of images in the Museum’s collection, and advise staff as needed in clearing image use permissions. Maintain relationship with the museum’s images sales partner, Bridgeman Images, working with Bridgeman to maintain license agreements and to negotiate and process fees.
  • Assist Curatorial Assistant with public inquiries relating to the collections and make the collections available for research, teaching, and display by providing physical and intellectual access.
  • Deputize for the Director of Collections Management/Chief Registrar in his/her absence; attend curatorial, exhibition, or other meetings to discuss and advise on collections management matters, as needed.
  • Lead collections management projects, as assigned.
  • Assist with the movement and care of works of art in keeping with Museum standards.
  • Serve as a courier for outgoing loans; travel with objects on domestic and international shipments as required; act as Museum representative as necessary.
  • Assist with training and supervision of volunteers, interns, and other staff assisting in collections management projects.
  • Perform other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

Qualifications: 

  • Experience managing museum collections management systems, TMS preferred.
  • Experience managing art collections in a museum environment.
  • Knowledge of collection management, image management, digital preservation, and rights and reproduction standards.
  • Ability to handle works of art.
  • Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.
  • Ability to be attentive to detail and accurate.
  • Ability to handle multiple assignments simultaneously and to work to strict deadlines.
  • Ability to act as Museum representative.
  • Embraces and promotes diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion initiatives.

Education and Experience: 

B.A/B.S. degree in Museum Studies, Art History, or equivalent work experience related field; M.A/M.S. preferred. 

Five years museum registration experience required.

Apply via AAM