The Registrar is primarily responsible for the registration and physical management of all artworks in the custody of the Vero Beach Museum of Art (VBMA), including the permanent collection, sculpture on the grounds, and artwork on loan. The permanent collection includes 1,015 objects and the exhibition calendar includes 3-4 exhibitions annually (ranging from touring shows to original exhibitions). The Registrar is supervised by and reports to the Chief Curator. In 2027, the VBMA will open a brand-new museum with expanded galleries and programming.
Collections
Identifies, documents, and catalogs all pieces of art entering or leaving the Museum
Supervises the development and maintenance of paper and electronic records on all objects owned by or on loan to the Museum, including records of provenance, purchase or donation, photographs, evaluation, insurance, condition, and location
Coordinates and makes all arrangements to receive new acquisitions
Accessions all new acquisitions to the Museum including gifts, bequests, purchases and exchange
Coordinates deaccessions from permanent collection
Administers fine art insurance policy for permanent collection
Monitors permanent collection for conservation needs and makes recommendations to the Executive Director in consultation with the Conservator and Chief Curator
Arranges for photography of exhibitions and of art objects as needed for collection records, committee presentations, research, and exhibition archives
Exhibitions
Maintains exhibition schedule
Arranges shipping and receiving of all art objects, including incoming loans, traveling exhibitions, and loans to other museums
Arranges insurance for all loans and exhibitions
Generates loan forms and exhibition contracts
Supervises installations, de-installations, and re-installations of all exhibition space and supervises personnel involved in those activities
Maintains files and archives of all exhibitions presented at the Museum and those exhibitions organized by the Museum
Trains staff as required to impart art handling skills, professional museum related skills, and safety procedure
Administration:
In conjunction with the Chief Curator, supervises the Administrative Assistant
Works with the Chief Curator to develop and manage the departmental budget
In collaboration with Chief Curator, reviews and updates core collections and exhibitions policies and procedures for Director’s approval
Oversees departmental purchasing
Functions as the secretary of the Collection Committee and Exhibition Committee and is responsible for keeping the minutes of the Committees’ meetings.
Maintains departmental project calendar
Attend and participate in Department Head, staff meetings, exhibition planning and interpretive planning meetings.
Maintains good working knowledge of the Museum’s policies, procedures, educational practices and ideologies.
Is knowledgeable of Museum’s collection and exhibition policies
Is knowledgeable of and practices the AAM’s Code of Ethics
Other duties
Coordinates departmental contributions to Museum activities outside the department, for Special Events and Education programs.
Coordinates Art in Bloom logistics with Development Department; works with the Chief Curator to create the Art Selection List; oversee the installation of the flower arrangements; reviews and update guidelines and policies for this event.
Coordinate Athena Society logistics involving the artwork: including the loan, shipping, and exhibition of artwork.
Leads department emergency response efforts in conjunction with the Chief Curator
Education
- BA Degree (Art History or Museum Studies desirable) and MA preferred
Experience:
5 years previous museum experience in registration/collections management
effective written and oral communication skills
exceptional management and organizational skills
knowledge of professional procedures of handling works of art
ability to work effectively with others
ability to multi-task and meet deadlines
Submit cover letter and resume to Danielle Elliott: delliott@vbmuseum.org and Chief Curator, Caitlin Swindell: cswindell@vbmuseum.org