Associate/Registrar for Exhibitions

ASSOCIATE/REGISTRAR FOR EXHIBITIONS
*Level is determined by education and experience

OVERVIEW: Incumbent supports the Department of the Registrar, which is responsible for maintaining records on all works of art owned by or entrusted to the care of the Seattle Art Museum; and for the location, safety, movement, and transport of these works of art, thus minimizing risks to the works of art and to SAM.  The primary purpose of this position is to coordinate the collection and dispersal of temporary exhibitions and installations.

SAM is dedicated to racial equity and strives for employees, volunteers, and interns who are passionate, qualified, and offer diverse perspectives. SAM prioritizes racial equity in the workplace because we know that people of color are the most impacted when it comes to inequities. We are particularly interested in engaging with historically under-represented groups in the museum field as we strive to be inclusive and equitable. SAM is responsive to cultural communities and experiences, and our strategic plan goals address the role art plays in empowering social justice and structural change to promote equity in our society.

FLSA STATUS: Exempt                         

REPORTS TO: Director of Museum Services and Chief Registrar

COMPENSATION: $69,484 - $87,300 DOE; 40 hours per week

BENEFITS: Full time employees are covered by medical, dental, vision, basic life insurance/LTD/AD&D. Employees are able to enroll in our company’s 403b plan. Employees will also receive ten days of sick leave and ten days of vacation leave every year, twelve paid holidays and one floating holiday throughout the calendar year. Additional benefits include subsidized transportation (ORCA business passport), access to fitness facility, and museum membership.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Executes loan agreements for loans to SAM (exhibitions, installations, and loans to the collection), contacts lenders and is responsible for arranging the necessary logistics of wall-to-wall movement from and to each lender’s premises for the objects borrowed.  
2. Personal and extensive contacts outside the museum are made with shippers and contractors in arranging for the movement of works of art; customs officials in clearing foreign shipments; individual lenders regarding specific arrangements for shipment of their object, and officials of other museums regarding requirements for the loan of their holdings.
3. Prepares all incoming and outgoing documentation for each object including receipts to lenders, shipping and packing lists, condition reports, CITES certificates and U.S. Customs documents for foreign shipments.
4. At the Associate level: Collaborates in coordinating; At the Registrar level: Coordinates the work of art handlers and preparators in the unpacking, packing, installation, and movement of each loan object.  Supervises unpacking of loans, checks and records their condition, and annotates packing methods. Develops work schedules to meet deadlines.  Works closely with Conservation and Design & Installation.
5. At the Associate level: Assists in developing; At the Registrar level: Develops exhibition budgets for future exhibitions.  Analyzes historic cost data to assist with these cost projections. Reviews and ensures that exhibition budgets are met and/or justified.  Monitors budgets for all expenditures in conjunction with exhibitions, including courier per diem and travel.  Processes invoices and codes them appropriately.  
6. At the Associate level: Assists with preparation; At the Registrar level: Prepares applications for U.S. Government Indemnity for assigned exhibitions.
7. At the Associate level: Assists in reviewing; At the Registrar level: Reviews exhibition contracts, and ensures that various contract stipulations dealing with packing and shipping are met.  Ensures suitable risk mitigation measures are met (e.g. insurance, physical security and monitoring, appropriate environmental conditions).
8. In consultation with SAM Conservation, provides technical specifications for outside contractors for the construction of shipping crates and other outside services and assures that all work has been performed to standards and coordinates all work necessary to prepare objects for shipment.
9. Ensures accurate records for art movement and in particular collection management system (TMS) location records.
10. Acts as representative of SAM in accompanying objects to and from the Museum and other sites.
11. Assists the Chief Registrar with the annual inventory of SAM collections and objects on long-term loan, as assigned.
12. Maintains a general knowledge of all procedures utilized by the Department of the Registrar and responds to questions from the general public or refers queries to the appropriate departments.
13. Represents the Museum with a high level of integrity and professionalism, and adheres to Museum policies and supports management decisions in a positive, professional manner.
14. Undertakes special projects as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

1. Understanding of and familiarity with the various means of accomplishing local, national, and international transportation, including an understanding of how different modes of shipping will affect various objects and materials.
2. Knowledge of U. S. Customs regulations and international shipping regulations; including export licenses, bonding, and security.
3. Thorough and current knowledge of museum registration techniques and practices, including basic knowledge of art history to verify and identify objects received, packing materials and methods, conservation, and fine arts insurance. Familiarity with conservation issues, terminology, and condition reports.
4. The incumbent must possess good organizational, strong verbal and written communication skills.  The incumbent must be organized and able to prioritize job duties; skilled at trouble shooting and problem solving; and be flexible and able to deal with multiple, last-minute deadlines. Ability to work with close attention to detail.
5. Familiarity with basic accounting principles and budgeting procedures.
6. Proficiency in the use of computers for collection management, scheduling and communication purposes is required.  Knowledge of TMS preferred.
7. Familiarity with foreign languages (French, German, Italian or Spanish) to interpret international correspondence, invoices and documents pertaining to shipments and to assist couriers is useful.
8. Ability to work with donors, the public and co-workers collaboratively, professionally and tactfully.
9. Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts, Art History or Museum Studies, or equivalent related experience.
10. Five (5) years of experience in museum registration, preferably in exhibitions, including supervisory experience at the Registrar level.
11. Ability to adhere to Museum policies and to support management decisions in a positive, professional manner.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

1. Work areas are primarily inside, in a climate-controlled environment with light background noise.Position involves travel to multiple worksites to oversee care of SAM works of art sited in the community and at other SAM locations, including works of art sited in outside locations. Courier travel to other locations, often requiring long hours, is required.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES REQUIRED TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Sitting/Standing/Walking:  Approximately 60% of time is spent seated while working at a desk. Balance of time (approximately 40%) is spent standing or moving around the work area.
2. Speaking/Hearing:  Clear diction and acute hearing are necessary for effective communication with co-workers and outside agencies.
3. Lifting/Carrying/Pushing/Pulling:  The ability to transport up to fifty pounds of equipment and supplies is necessary.
4. Vision:  Corrected vision close to 20/20 is necessary to effectively use the computer screens and to interpret printed materials, memos and other appropriate paperwork.
5. Stooping/Kneeling:  The ability to stoop and kneel is necessary for accessing artwork, packing equipment and supplies in low cabinets and shelves.
6. Reaching/Handling:  Good manual dexterity is necessary for computer keyboard use and for retrieving and working with appropriate paperwork, equipment, and supplies.

Centering equity, diversity, and inclusion as an organization, and as individuals, Seattle Art Museum (SAM) is committed to ensuring that all employees and volunteers enjoy a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming workplace. SAM is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or any other protected class. 

Please contact the Human Resources Department at (206) 654-3188 or HR@seattleartmuseum.org for additional information or to request reasonable accommodations for the application or interview process.

Offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a criminal background check.

TO APPLY:   Please visit https://seattleartmuseum.applytojob.com/apply  to submit SAM employment application, cover letter and resume.

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