Description

The Art Students League of New York seeks an experienced Registrar to join its small but dynamic Gallery Department. Reporting to the Gallery Director & Curator of Exhibitions and Programs, the Registrar will be a vital member of a dedicated four-person team and will be responsible for all aspects of permanent collection maintenance, the handling and processing of incoming and outgoing artwork including borrowed works, as well as the implementation of policies and procedures to support the League’s ambitious exhibition program.

Requirements

Essential Responsibilities and Duties:

• Coordinate and manage all logistical arrangements pertaining to transportation, requesting/comparing shipping estimates, packing, and installation/de-installation 
  of artworks.
• Develop registration budgets by creating initial estimates, processing and tracking expenses, and reporting regularly on budgets related to exhibitions.
• Issue loan agreements and review/negotiate lender terms and requirements of agreements in collaboration with the Gallery Director and Curator of Exhibitions & Programs.
• Update and maintain the permanent collection database, cataloguing, and researching as needed to enhance depth and breadth of object records.
• Serve as the main contact for all research, image, and rights requests from the permanent collection.
• Manage correspondence and paperwork for acquisitions as well as incoming and outgoing loans for all exhibitions.
• Uphold industry standards and best practices in collections management to both maintain the current collection of approximately 2,500 objects and to intelligently grow it.
• Ensure the proper care, security, and handling of artwork on-site as well as for transit, inclusive of tracking locations, preparing packing and shipping lists, and printing container labels.
• Maintain and supervise the care of artwork both on display and in on-site storage, coordinating access to artwork by team members and third-party vendors.
• Execute and/or oversee handling, packing, and unpacking, and transportation of artwork to, from, and within the gallery and offsite storage locations.
• Schedule and manage freelance art handlers, conservators, photographers, and shippers (local, national, and international).
• Retain proper inventory of packing supplies.
• Perform condition reports inclusive of photo documentation.
   

JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

• BA or MA in art history, museum studies, arts administration, library sciences, 
  or a closely related field.
• 3-5 years of professional experience managing art collections.
• Experience developing, managing and overseeing registration budgets.
• Familiarity with standard museum loan and registration practices and understanding of fine arts insurance.
• Familiarity with Axiell, PastPerfect, or similar collection management databases.
• Knowledge of art handling techniques and current practices relating to collections care.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Adobe suites.
• Interest in American art of all mediums, from 1875 to the present.
• Ability to perform moderate physical activity, such as climbing ladders, lifting up to 30lbs, kneeling, bending, etc.
• Precise attention to detail with strong communication and analytical skills.
• Flexibility and the ability to adapt to changing priorities.
• Ability to work extended hours on nights and weekends, as needed.
• Perform other related duties as necessary.