Job Description

POSITION SUMMARY AND PURPOSE: 

The Assistant Registrar is a critical member of the Harvey B. Gantt Center’s exhibition team and provides coordination and general oversight for documentation, care and conservation of the Gantt Center’s permanent collection and all in-house, on-loan and traveling exhibitions.  The incumbent will assist in the documentation of new acquisitions and collection objects as well as manage collection records in the museum database, applying best practices to the work of the Gantt Center.  

The role requires accuracy, attention to detail, strong communication and analytical skills, as well as the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and to work collaboratively.  The Assistant Registrar should be highly organized, solution-focused, and creative.  Candidates should have an entrepreneurial outlook, be interested in exploring what exhibitions can be, and enjoy being challenged.  

This position currently reports to the COO and collaborates extensively with curators, lenders, artists, insurers, shippers, and art handlers to coordinate and document exhibitions.  The Assistant Registrar may oversee interns, installation teams and other consultants as required.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:  

• Monitor environmental conditions and artwork installed in galleries daily
• Maintain daily/weekly reports of gallery and artwork maintenance
• Assist with the care, maintenance and preservation of artworks and artifacts
• Research/recommend methods of restoration for artworks and artifacts
• Assist with object location data for artwork in storage
• Assist with exhibition installations and archival maintenance of all exhibition loans, permanent files and records
• Update the collections management computer database
• Maintain loan agreements, donor letters, condition reports, insurance and transit arrangement, deed of gifts, and collections accession receipts
• Maintain, organize and digitize binders containing supporting documents for all exhibitions (past, current and incoming) including agreements, contact information, object list with images, insurance, shipping, marketing, website information, condition reports, labels and vinyls
• Receive, unpack, pack and organize loan shipments to and from other institutions
• Assist with touring exhibitions including maintaining the database, tracking responses and consulting with registrars, curators, and exhibition coordinators at each venue
• Assist with writing, editing and researching wall text, labels, website content, catalog publications, gallery guides, press releases and supporting exhibition information
• Assist with adding Gantt Center Collection artwork to Google Arts & Culture
• Assist during de-install and install processes
• Assist with organizing exhibition proposals for review
• Assist with exhibition calendar
• Filing, copying, and general data entry
• Other duties as assigned, including inventory and special projects working with documentation or works of art

NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Lead guided tours of Gantt Center exhibitions
• Attend Gantt Center exhibition openings
• Represent the Gantt Center on exhibition-related committees
• Attend professional meetings, as needed
• Assist with training new personnel, as needed

COMPETENCIES:

• Strong accuracy, attention to detail and adherence to schedules
• Ability to organize, prioritize and work independently with competing priorities
• High degree of initiative
• Knowledge of best practices and current standards for museum registrars is highly desirable
• Effectively communicate and maintain strong working relationships with supervisor, collections colleagues, curators and co-workers
• Contribute to a positive organizational culture based on mutual respect, collegiality, collaboration and openness to many perspectives
• Demonstrates positive, “can-do” attitude, flexibility, teamwork, and contributes to a positive organizational culture based on mutual respect, collaboration and openness to many perspectives.
• Strong written communication skills. Comfort with telephone and email.

BASIC KNOWLEDGE:

• Ability to operate a computer and general office equipment
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite

EDUCATION AND TRAINING:

Bachelor’s degree in museum-related studies, preferably Arts Administration or Art History.  The ideal candidate has experience performing registarial work, documenting and cataloguing a museum collection, including using a collection management database (Past Perfect, preferably) and supporting applications.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS:

The Assistant Registrar has an assigned workstation, telephone, and computer. The position requires frequent sitting, standing, and walking. May require sitting and working on a computer for extended periods of time. Requires ability to communicate with others in-person and on the telephone. Manual dexterity needed for using computer keyboard and calculator. Must have adequate vision to operate computer and complete paperwork. May require occasional lifting up to 35 lbs.  Requires ability and willingness to work flexible hours, including weekends, to meet client and organization’s needs.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE: 

• Applicant Deadline is TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2020
• Submissions require
  • Resume
  • Cover letter, at the end of the letter include contact information for two (2) references
  • Applicants that do not contain the above mandatory information will not be considered
  • NO PHONE CALLS OR EMAILS

 DISCLAIMER

_The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by persons assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all associated responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions. The Harvey B. Gantt Center reserves the right to change, amend, add, delete, and otherwise assign any and all duties, responsibilities, and position titles as it deems necessary to meet the needs of the organization. _

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER (EEOC) STATEMENT

The Harvey B. Gantt Center does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. We value and celebrate differences in order to best meet the needs of our diverse community.