Registrar

                                                                                               
Title:               Registrar
Reports to:     Interim-Chief Curator
Status:            Full Time, Exempt

El Museo del Barrio, founded by a coalition of Puerto Rican educators, artists, and activists, is the nation’s leading Latino and Latin American cultural institution. The Museum welcomes visitors of all backgrounds to discover the artistic landscape of these communities through its extensive Permanent Collection, varied exhibitions and publications, bilingual public programs, educational activities, festivals, and special events.

SCOPE AND PURPOSE OF ROLE
El Museo del Barrio seeks a full-time, in-person Registrar to oversee and supervise all tasks related to the physical management, cataloguing, storage, and digitization of the museum's collection. This position is responsible for all loans, accessions, shipping, and registration of works from the Permanent Collection. They additionally lead all exhibitions related coordination, correspondence with lenders, and installation of incoming and travelling shows organized and/or received by the museum. The Registrar will manage bilingual correspondence, coordinate meetings, and oversee the schedule, deadlines, and budgets related to various Curatorial projects. Reporting to the Chief Curator, the Registrar plays a vital role in the planning and organization of exhibitions, the Permanent Collection, publications, and programming at El Museo del Barrio.

RESPONSIBILITIES
 

• Organize, modify, and administer policies, procedures, systems, and activities related to the documentation and control of incoming loans, through the execution, management and archiving of loan requests and agreements; receipts; exhibition agreements; condition reports; insurance policies, certificates, and claims; object checklists; packing and valuation lists; shipping documents; audio-visual documentation of borrowed objects and exhibitions.
• Organize, modify, and administer policies, procedures, systems, and activities related to the documentation and control of the Museum’s Permanent Collection items, including gift, purchasing and copyright agreements; artist questionnaires; artwork guides for packing and installation; marking objects with accession numbers; object cataloguing; condition reports; photo reproduction agreements; outgoing loan agreements; object de-accessions.
• Execute and/or supervise the orderly and timely entry of data (in text, image and/or audio-visual form) of objects and constituents associated with incoming loans and exhibitions into a collections management database system (El Museo del Barrio utilizes The Museum System [TMS] to enter, store and manage data related to its permanent collection, loans, exhibitions, and publications).
• Assist with the development, publication, and management of a web-based Permanent Collection platform.
• Schedule and supervise photographic documentation of loan and Permanent Collection objects and exhibitions; record and archive this documentation utilizing TMS and digital filing systems.
• Regularly monitor, document, and archive environmental conditions in galleries and storage areas.
• Manage Permanent Collection storage areas both onsite and offsite and keep record of collection items.
• Oversee the movement of collection items between exhibition and storage facilities.
• Assist with compiling and updating information in the Museum’s General Facility Report; archiving the General Facility report; distribute the Report to pertinent parties as directed by Museum’s Chief Curator, Curator and/or Executive Director.
• Provide guidance in the ongoing organization and documentation of the Curatorial Department’s research library and Artist Archive.
• Work closely with Curatorial Staff regarding long-term Collections care and presentation.

• Assist in developing and implementing procedures regarding the preservation of objects in the Museum’s care, including protocols for materials and equipment, object handling and movement, long-term storage, environmental controls, facilities maintenance, illumination, pest control, and fire suppression systems.

• Schedule and coordinate object mount making, conservation, and framing of artworks; efficient and detailed written communication with professionals and vendors that provide these services is crucial.
• In collaboration with the Museum’s Operations Department, review, assess, modify and supervise procedures and systems related to the maintenance of galleries including lamp replacement, and cleaning of floors; operation and maintenance of climate-control equipment; security protocols and systems, including crowd control; fire suppression; and pest control.
• Assist in supervising and participating in the installation and de-installations of temporary exhibitions, particularly organizing, and coordinating the packing and transportation of objects, their storage, unpacking/re-packing, internal movement, condition reporting, hanging/de-installation, security and illumination; supervise and arrange the safe handling and storage of exhibition crates.
• Assist in assessing needs related to storage, overall preservation, and conservation treatment of Permanent Collection objects, including re-organizing or updating offsite and/or onsite art/object storage areas, and re-housing objects.
• Conduct weekly inventory and condition checks of objects on exhibit. Lead any planned or emergency work with regards to the objects’ safety and conservation.
• Perform or supervises basic object preparatory/protection tasks, including archival housing of objects for storage, soft wrapping/packing (including construction of soft boxes and folios) and other tasks related to the safe storage and movement of objects.

• Assist with various activities associated with a collection move, including supervision of packing; maintaining packing lists; tracking movement of objects and shipping packages; and communication/coordination with transportation companies.
• Assist with developing and tracking budgets and expenditures related to collection and exhibition registration activities.
• Order and manage supplies, equipment and tools for object packing, movement and protection, as well as exhibition installation.
• Maintain frame and exhibition furniture equipment inventory.
• Supervise volunteers, interns and professional contract workers as necessary to execute many of the tasks described herein.
• Other tasks as assigned and agreed upon by employee and supervisor.

• Master’s degree in Museum Studies, Art History, Fine Arts, or a related field.

• 2-3 years of museum exhibition registration and collections management experience.
• Knowledge of preservation practices and procedures, including safe handling, movement, packing, transport, storage, and exhibition of objects
• Experience with planning, organizing, and implementing artworks movement
• Knowledge of copyright, reproductions issues, and different art media
• Fluency in various computer applications and digital imaging systems
• Experience using The Museum System a plus
• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal skills
• Spanish/English bilingual skills
• Ability to work well with various constituencies, and supervise volunteers, interns, professional contract workers, and others
• Neat, detail-oriented, well-organized, execute repetitive tasks and able to meet multiple deadlines
• Physically able to lift and move artwork/crates and other work-related equipment; climb ladders; and stand on his/her feet for extended periods of time.

Salary Range: $70,000-$75,000

Benefits

Benefits include Medical (up to 100% employer-paid plans available), Dental and Vision insurance. Employees may obtain additional coverage for themselves and/or their families at a low cost. El Museo offers the Cultural Institutions Retirement System (CIRS) 401(k) Savings Plan and CIRS Group Life & Welfare Benefits Plan. A TransitChek/MetroCard commuter plan is currently offered to eligible full-time employees. El Museo currently extends a 10% discount to employees on all museum shop merchandise. Paid time off includes thirteen (13) holidays, ten (10) vacation days, two (2) personal days and ten (10) sick days.

El Museo values diversity in backgrounds and in experiences. El Museo’s commitment to a diverse workforce has been a key to our success. In accordance with that commitment, El Museo provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, predisposing genetic information, gender identity and/or expression, military, or veteran status in accordance with applicable federal, state and/or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

 

_________

El Museo values diversity in backgrounds and in experiences. El Museo’s commitment to a diverse workforce has been a key to our success. In accordance with that commitment, El Museo provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, predisposing genetic information, gender identity and/or expression, military, or veteran status in accordance with applicable federal, state and/or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.