Registrar and Collection Manager

POSITION SUMMARY: Fisk University is accepting applications for a Registrar & Collection Manager, reporting to the Director and Curator of University Galleries. Manager/Registrar is responsible for ensuring the overall safety, preservation, maintenance, and documentation for works in Fisk’s collection, on view, in storage, and on loan. Additional duties include receiving, preparing and cataloguing new acquisitions; planning and organizing exhibition-related movement of objects, including packing, shipping, and insurance for collection exhibitions as well as for incoming and outgoing loans to/from Fisk; managing the database of collection contents and reference photography of the collection; managing rights & reproduction; and supervising student workers and .consultants for art preparation.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Ensuring overall safety, preservation, maintenance, and documentation of all works in Fisk University Galleries' collections on view, in storage, and on loan
• Manage all aspects of collections care including conservation
• Maintain catalogue records and create new records in coordination.
• Responsible for digitization of images to be included in the database, periodic software upgrades and database system migrations, metadata development and development of database search capabilities
• Prepare documentation including provenance history for new accessions and research documentation for deaccessioning
• Coordinate and manage documentation for deeds of gift, bequests, and donations in collaboration with the Director
• Responsible for logistics related to loans and traveling exhibitions, including documentation, condition reports, packing, shipping, and receiving

• Manage copyright permissions for use of Fisk University Galleries' artworks in collections and exhibition publications, archives, publicity, marketing, catalogues, websites, e-communication, and related uses
• In collaboration with Director, establish object conservation priorities and plan/implement the safe storage of all works in the collection
  

• Supervise the conservation and preservation of artwork including managing and coordinating conservation treatments
• Oversee monitoring of environmental conditions, in all collections spaces and communicate with Facilities Management concerning problems and/or cleaning needs
  

SECONDARY FUNCTIONS:

• Interact with campus communications staff as well as the national and international scholarly and museum community
• Assist in preparing proposals and grant applications for special collections-oriented projects
• Interact with potential donors and other museum patrons to facilitate gifts to the Museum’s collections

• Train and supervise art preparation staff and student employees and/or interns performing related work

SPECIFIC JOB KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Thorough knowledge of museum policies, practices, and procedures. Knowledge of nomenclature, metadata standards, best practices in conservation, object handling, insurance, and museum legal and ethical issues. Extensive knowledge of and experience with collections management and Museum Systems TMS. Ability to manage and ensure compliance with loan arrangements of artworks. Knowledge of domestic and foreign loan procedures including courier arrangements and travel. Knowledge of art and art history including identification of specific types of art works. Excellent project management and leadership skills. Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community. Ability to supervise and train students. Ability to foster a cooperative work environment. Commitment to continuous professional self-development

ORGANIZATIONAL RESPONSIBILITY:

May exercise supervision over support staff, work-study students or volunteers.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: Master’s degree or post-baccalaureate certificate in museum collection management, or library science. Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts, Arts or Art History or other related discipline. Degree must be awarded by an accredited college or university

Experience: Minimum 3-5 years’ experience as Registrar or Collections Manager in an art museum None required

Licenses or Certificates: N/A

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS A: A background and/or credit check will be required of the successful applicant. An official transcript (if applicable) and names, addresses and phone numbers of three (3) references will be required of the successful applicant.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS


While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to talk or hear. The employee is required to stand, walk, and sit. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
Normal office conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

This job description is not an exclusive or exhaustive list of all job functions of an employee in this position.