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About the Role:
Reporting to the Associate Curator, the part time (24 hours a week) Registrar & Collections Manager will maintain a dynamic collection of modern and contemporary art comprised of large-scale sculpture situated in Storm King’s expansive landscape, site-specific earthworks, and related drawings and photographs. As custodian of the collection, they will be responsible for its routine care, preservation, and documentation, establishing protocols that follow the industry’s best practices for collections management, conservation, and exhibition preparation. They will work in close collaboration with the Curatorial, Facilities and Conservation, Archives, and Visitor Services teams to ensure that Storm King’s mission is supported through a robust collection strategy specifically designed for its primarily outdoor program. The Registrar and Collection Manager will also facilitate the execution of exhibitions and permanent commissions. By its nature, this is not a remote position; the Collection Manager and Registrar must work two days per week on-site at Storm King Art Center.
Storm King Art Center is dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. Storm King Art Center is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of merit.
People who are of color, gender oppressed, LGBTQ, immigrants with work permission, and people of diverse social and economic backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Storm King Art Center does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, creed, sex, marital status, registered domestic partner status, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other related consideration
Responsibilities
Collection Management:
Oversee the incoming and outgoing shipping schedule for all works.
Prepare loan agreements and review lender terms of agreements in collaboration with Curatorial and Facilities and - - Conservation, maintaining accompanying records.
Oversee collection storage, acting as the liaison for all deliveries.
Identify and execute inventory projects.
Maintain Storm King’s collection database in collaboration with the Archives team—regularly updating object records and overseeing long-term database projects to ensure the integrity and accessibility of object files.
Obtain and oversee appraisals and art insurance values, as needed.
Assist Curatorial in preparing, receiving, and cataloguing new acquisitions.
Coordinate and manage process for deeds of gift, bequests, and donations.
Organize and track incoming and outgoing loans; overseeing the packing, crating, shipping, condition reporting, and insurance for domestic and international loans.
In collaboration with Curatorial and other departments, coordinate and organize all photography of works both within the Storm King collection and on loan. Work directly with selected photographers.
Facilitate all aspects of Rights and Reproductions requests for Storm King collection works and other relevant works of art—by liaising both with internal colleagues and external commercial and non-profit entities.
Lead development, production, and maintenance of all art signage.
Perform weekly condition checks on all artworks as they are installed throughout the grounds, notifying key staff of changes, and documenting condition.
As part of condition checks, make note of relevant landscape changes or hindrances to the viewing or experience of any work of art; work to remedy these in collaboration with others on staff.
Work with the Director of Facilities and Conservation as well as Curatorial to identify when outside conservation treatments are needed, and facilitate the process of outside conservation.
Develop standardized conservation documents following best practices, and in collaboration with the Director of Facilities and Conservation.
In conjunction with Curatorial, Facilities and Conservation, and Visitor Services, develop and maintain security protocols as they pertain to artwork on view.
Facilitate the workflow between Visitor Services, Facilities and Conservation, and Curatorial regarding any reports of potential damage or need for cleaning of any work of art.
Maintain all related paperwork.
Document, both visually and in written form, all conservation procedures conducted, and file the documentation appropriately.
In coordination with Facilities and Conservation, develop and maintain facility reports for Storm King’s landscape and galleries.
Exhibitions:
Oversee packing and shipment of artworks in coordination with Curatorial and Facilities and Conservation.
Participate in the planning of exhibitions: compiling shipping, packing, and storage estimates, facilitating all shipping and packing, maintaining budgets, and assisting with all other aspects of exhibition preparation and installation.
Maintain fine arts insurance for collection as well as for incoming and outgoing loans; liaise with Finance on all related needs.
Manage exhibition paperwork and organization of registration records; lead any correspondence related to registrarial needs.
In tandem with Curatorial and Facilities and Conservation, instruct staff on art safety—draft and distribute reference guides for each exhibition to share with Visitor Services.
Requirements
Required Skills and Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in art, art history, museum studies, or closely related field.
Minimum of 3-5 years as a museum registrar, collection manager, or related position.
Strong knowledge of registrarial best practices, metadata standards, conservation, object handling, packing, insurance, and museum legal and ethical issues.
Knowledge of domestic and foreign loan procedures including courier arrangements and travel.
Experience with collections management and digital asset management systems.
Proven ability to create and maintain precise collections records.
Ability to develop, adhere to, and maintain budgets related to collection care and incoming and outgoing loans and shipping.
Familiarity with mediums within modern and contemporary art.
Strong, demonstrated project management skills.
Highly organized with a strong attention to detail.
Able to meet deadlines while balancing multiple projects.
Demonstrated passion for the visual arts, with a strong commitment to making art collections more accessible and meaningful to a diverse audience.
A belief in Storm King’s mission and vision, and the ability to articulate this in a persuasive and inspiring manner.
Interest in and appreciation for Storm King’s natural landscape.
Excellent interpersonal and communications skills, working with colleagues as well as artists, scholars, and the general public.
Ability to and interest in engaging with artists, museum professionals, donors, and art galleries.
Interest in collection management and growth; ability to supervise and maintain a significant collection of primarily outdoor sculpture from Storm King Art Center’s 500-acre site.
A creative problem-solver who is adaptable and flexible.
Ability to exercise good judgment, confidentiality, and discretion.
Commitment to Storm King’s I:DEA Principles to foster a workplace culture of respect, inclusion, collaboration and encouraging diverse perspectives.
Proof of COVID-19 vaccination upon hire.
Preferred Skills and Qualifications:
Management experience, including supervising interns or volunteers
Driver’s license with no serious convictions, or willingness to obtain one upon hire
Experience working on museum art acquisitions