Associate Registrar and Coordinator for Exhibitions

Vassar College

Associate Registrar and Coordinator for Exhibitions

Department: Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center
Duration of Position: Full year / Full time
Work Schedule:
Employee Type: Administrator
Posting Date: 03/29/2022
Union Representation: Not Applicable
Posting Number: AS205P
Pay Rate:

About Vassar College
Located in the scenic Mid-Hudson Valley, Vassar College is a highly selective, residential, coeducational liberal arts college. Vassar is deeply committed to fostering a community that reflects the values of a liberal arts education and to promoting an environment of equality, diversity and inclusiveness. Vassar seeks to create a pluralistic community for all staff, faculty and students. Vassar College is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity employer, and applications from women, individuals with disabilities and members of historically underrepresented groups are especially encouraged.Vassar College is a smoke-free, tobacco-free campus.Note: Vassar College has a universal vaccination policy requiring a COVID-19 vaccination, including a booster, for all employees except for those exempt for medical or religious reasons.

Position Summary and Responsibilities
One of six members of the collections and exhibitions management team charged with the functional care of 22,000 works of art and associated intellectual data. The Art Center's collection spans all media ranging in date from antiquity to contemporary. The team is also responsible for the installation/deinstallation of exhibitions (both permanent collection works and loans) as well as the documentation of all transactions and movement of objects according to professional museum standards.

The Associate Registrar and Coordinator for Exhibitions is primarily responsible for the organization and implementation of temporary exhibitions, permanent collection installations and gallery rotations. The position is also responsible for organizing and managing in-house traveling exhibitions.

Position responsibilities:

• Manage incoming short-term loans; correspond with lenders and vendors, prepare loan agreements and receipts, certificates of insurance, and other legal documents as required (applications for Immunity from Seizure, US Gov't Indemnity proposals, etc.)
• Review exhibition contracts and lender loan agreements in consultation with Head Registrar.
• Coordinate shipping, insurance, and courier arrangements for exhibitions.
• Oversee all aspects of exhibition planning and production in TMS; enter and maintain exhibition-related information, create reports, collaborate with curators to create working exhibitions in TMS.
• Maintain and distribute the master exhibition calendar; establish production schedules for exhibition prep and installation together with curators and preparator; prepare agenda for monthly exhibition meetings.
• Assure compliance with lender conditions including conservation, installation, security, and courier requirements; monitor gallery climate; ensure facility report is kept current.
• Prepare condition reports, packing and installation instructions.
• Determine exhibition hardware and display furniture needs in conjunction with preparator.
• Coordinate exhibition-related didactic materials and design production for banners, wall vinyl, etc.
• Occasionally coordinate exhibition-related conservation.
• Monitor all gallery work and train security guards on exhibition security requirements.
• Assist curators with exhibition budgets.
• Maintain and order exhibition-related supplies.
• Act as a courier on occasion.
• Maintain exhibition files on shared drive and contribute to object files as needed; maintain exhibition archives in collaboration with curators.
• Supervise and mentor 2+ students per semester.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience as an assistant/associate registrar organizing domestic and international loans in a museum or gallery
• Proficiency in TMS; strong cataloging and data entry skills required
• Knowledge of art handling best practices and art and artifact collections care in a museum environment
• Prior experience making shipping and courier arrangements, and conducting artwork inspections
• Ability to work under pressure and in a collaborative team environment
• A high degree of organization and self-motivation, including ability to take initiative, anticipate actions needed, and exercise independent judgment
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize tasks and to meet competing deadlines in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
• Excellent problem-solving, organization, and time-management skills; comfortable working on multiple projects at once
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to communicate clearly in verbal and written forms
• Ability to work with/mentor part-time work-study students from diverse backgrounds
• Art handling skills a plus
• Prior courier experience desired
  
  

Education/Certification:BA in art history/BFA required; MA in art history, museum studies or related field preferred

Special Instructions to Applicants
To complete your on-line application, you will be required to attach your resume, cover letter, and contact information for 3 professional references. All attachments must be in PDF format. Review of applications will begin immediately. If you have any questions, please contact Human Resources, 845-437-5820.

For full consideration applicants should apply by:

All applicants must apply online at: https://employment.vassar.edu/postings/2525.

jeid-d294e93e5dd7cb40a0f7e831a8b0b8be