The Cleveland Museum of Art seeks a Registrar for Permanent Collection to oversee the coordination and implementation of all registration aspects of permanent collection management. The Registrar for Permanent Collection is responsible for upholding best practices in collections care of acquisitions, long-term loans, de-accessions, and the collection database. The position holder will join a collaborative Collections Management department and work across departments and contribute to the development and implementation of Collections Management policies, procedures and workflows related to the museum’s permanent collection.
The Collections Management department is engaged in a variety of activities to support the collection's safety, organization, accessibility, and long-term preservation. The department supports long-term loans, permanent gallery rotations, exhibitions, and acquisitions with associated art movement, documentation, and storage needs.
This position will supervise one Assistant Registrar for Permanent Collection. This position is full-time and reports directly to the Director of Collections Management.
Requirements
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in art, art history, museum studies, arts administration, or a closely related field is required.
7-10 years of verifiable art museum registration experience required.
Experience managing people and complex projects.
Proven proficiency working with collections management system (TMS, Ke-EMu, PastPerfect, Axiell, etc.) and Microsoft Office Suite (MS Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel).
Excellent communication, judgement and negotiation skills desired.
Skilled in the sensitive handling of works of art, including the packing, crating, and transportation of objects.
Proficient in best practices in museum registration and collections management methods and techniques.
Familiarity with basic conservation concepts, procedures, and terms.
Familiarity with laws pertaining to ownership, custody, transfer, and disposition of art objects; tax laws relating to charitable donations; cultural property laws; customs restrictions; repatriation issues; judicial seizures; copyright laws; insurance laws; and fine arts insurance practices.
Creative and flexible mindset for problem-solving.
Aptitude for system and workflow creation and implementation.
Valid drivers license preferred
Responsibilities
Under supervision of the Director of Collections Management, the position will manage all registrarial processes for incoming acquisition candidates, including, but not limited to: shipping/packing logistics, receival, receipt, photo documentation, and art movement. Proposes improvements to existing practices to achieve best care of collection and efficiency in logistics issues.
Provides and implements guidelines on accessions and de-accessions, monitoring adherence to best practices in collection care and governance. Responsible for upholding the museum’s Collections Management Policy.
Manages the registrarial accession process for proposed and approved acquisitions, including but not limited to: records management, object numbering, labeling, cataloging.
Attends quarterly Collections Committee meetings and provides oversight of preparatory activities for these meetings, including the assembly of the proposed acquisitions trustees’ packet and installation of proposed acquisitions in the museum's Board Room.
In coordination with Collections Manager, Assistant Registrar for Permanent Collection, and Exhibition Coordinator, schedules planning meetings on a quarterly basis to address the installation of recent acquisitions.
Maintains detailed physical and digital object records of the permanent collection to ensure that these files are maintained in accordance with the museum retention policy. Works to standardize archiving of permanent collection documentation processes in digital platforms ensuring the sharing of information and the safekeeping of collection records.
Establishes and nurtures strong working relationships with museum staff, colleagues from other institutions, auction houses, donors and sellers as well as shipping, insurance and customs brokers, consultants, vendors, and the museum’s legal counsel.
Promotes compliance with Federal, State, and local laws relating to art collections management.
Working with the Collections Manager and key stakeholders in the Digital Information and Technology Services department to create collection database driven statistic and activity reports, to achieve greater efficiency with workflow, better accuracy on collection data, complexity reduction and support of departmental goals.
Coordinates with the Collection Manager on scheduling and implementation of regular in-gallery and storage inventories and proposes solutions to achieve complete data accuracy.
Along with the Assistant registrar for Permanent Collection, serves as acting registrar for any in-gallery activity related to new acquisitions, incoming, and long term loan coordination.
Coordinate with the Collections Manager on scheduling art movement for design, conservation and object display-related meetings for new acquisitions and incoming/long term loans.
Works closely with Collections Manager to create and manage art movement and photography requests for permanent collection projects in galleries. Coordinates art movement with Collections Manager for new acquisition installations. Schedules and manages calendar invites for new acquisition, incoming, and long-term loan activities.
Application Procedure: Application materials must be received by the end of day 07/30/2024. For consideration, please submit the following materials in English:
A letter stating your interest in working at the Cleveland Museum of Art and intent in applying for the Registrar for Permanent Collection position.
Current resume.
Applications that do not include all these elements will not be considered.
Full-time Benefits Include
Partner level membership to CMA
Free, unlimited admission to select Cleveland Museum of Art ticketed exhibitions (two adult member tickets per visit, subject to availability)
50% off admission to select ticketed exhibitions for members' guests
Free admission to select ticketed exhibitions for unlimited children, 17 and younger, when accompanied by a member
Priority registration and discounts for museum art classes for adults and children
20% discount in the museum store
10% discount in the museum restaurant and café
Annual subscription to Cleveland Art members magazine
Free Garage Parking
Your employment relationship with the museum qualifies you for free or discounted admissions to other cultural institutions such as the Natural History Museum, Botanical Gardens, The Cleveland Zoo, etc.
Medical
Dental
Vision
Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
Voluntary Life
Short Term Disability
Long Term Disability
HSA
FSA
401(k) with company match
Accident Insurance
Critical Illness Insurance
ID Theft
Legal Services
Pet Insurance
Employee Assistance Program
Paid Time Off
Seniority level
Mid-Senior level
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
Health Care Provider
Industries
Museums, Historical Sites, and Zoos
Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Cleveland Museum of Art by 2x