Scheduled Hours
37.5
Position Summary
The Registrar of the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum in the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts is responsible for the organization and maintenance of orderly forms, legal documents, files and retrieval systems associated with acquisitions, accessions, deaccessions, cataloging and loans. The Registrar plays a key role in overseeing the care and management of the Museum’s 8,000+ object permanent collection and works in close collaboration with the curatorial staff to review loans and realize exhibitions and installations of works from the collection. The Registrar actively participates in the formulation, regular review, and execution of associated policies and procedures as they relate to the management of the collection. Supervises part-time student assistants, vendors, contractors, and interns.
This position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule after 6 months of employment.
Job Description
Primary Duties & Responsibilities:
Oversees registration activities relating to the care and management of the permanent collection.
- Coordinates all related activity pertinent to the acquisition, accessioning and deaccessioning of objects.
- Regularly updates and maintains all collection object records – including gift documents, IRS forms, appraisals, condition, and conservation-related information.
- Undertakes cataloging and condition reporting of collection objects.
- Responsible for the accurate recording of all object-related information – both analog and digital.
- In collaboration with Museum staff, designs appropriate housing (for storage and display) for collections objects.
- Organizes and participates in the regular inventory of the permanent collection.
Facilitates access to the Museum’s collection.
- Works closely with Museum staff, students and faculty in the development and execution of collection-based exhibitions, including responsibilities associated with the establishment and monitoring of related schedules, checklists, and budgets.
- Aligns mission critical access to the Museum’s collection to students, faculty, scholars, and researchers – both within the university and beyond.
Coordinates outgoing loans from the permanent collection.
- Reviews and coordinates negotiation of terms in the best interest of the Museum in consultation with appropriate staff.
- Communicates terms and special requirements of loans to appropriate staff.
- Monitors compliance with such terms and conditions.
- Serves as courier as needed – for both domestic and international loans.
Collaborates with curatorial and editorial staff to ensure accuracy of all electronic and print based collection-related information conforms to Museum standards of quality and consistency, including:
- All gallery related content.
- Publications – both printed and electronic.
- Permanent collection database.
Serves as a representative and liaison between the Museum and outside contacts, including donors, artists, galleries, borrowers, peer institutions, and related professional organizations.
In collaboration with the Assistant Director for Collections & Exhibitions, serves as staff liaison for Art Collections Committee. Responsible for the coordination and documentation of bi-annual meetings.
Supports other priority departmental projects as assigned (e.g., temporary exhibition management).
Performs other duties as assigned.
Working Conditions:
Job Location/Working Conditions
Normal office environment.
Exposure to loud noises and equipment during exhibition de/installations.
Ability to travel on/off campus (both domestically and internationally) for the couriering of artwork (via air and/or follow cars and trucks).
Typical work conditions include museum galleries, fine art storage locations, art preparation spaces and outdoors when coordinating maintenance on select sculptures.
Physical Effort
Equipment
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.
Required Qualifications
Education:
Master’s degree or combination of education and/or experience may substitute for minimum education.
Certifications:
No specific certification is required for this position.
Work Experience:
Relevant Experience (3 Years)
Skills:
Not Applicable
Driver's License:
A driver's license is not required for this position.
More About This Job
Required Qualifications:
- Master's degree in art history, museum studies, or related field and three years of related experience or equivalent education and experience.
- Familiarity with best practices as they relate to professional museum standards and procedures, including registration, conservation, art historical research, and collections management and care.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience in an academic art museum.
- Experience with domestic and international loans.
- Foreign language skills (Italian, German or French is desirable).
- 8 years of related experience.
- Familiarity with best practices as they relate to professional museum standards and procedures, including registration, conservation, art historical research, and collections care.
- Demonstrated knowledge and application of best practices and procedures for fine art collections management including the handling, preservation and installation of art, registration methods, electronic collection records, loan administration, and fine arts insurance.
- Exceptional attention to detail and organizational, time management, analytic, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills.
- Strong oral and practical writing skills.
- Proficiency in collections management database software, Microsoft Office, Web-based documents (Google Workspace, Box, etc.), and project management software.
- Self-motivated, resourceful, and flexible; ability to also work collaboratively.
- Ability to supervise student assistants, vendors, contractors, and interns.
Preferred Qualifications
Education:
No additional education beyond what is stated in the Required Qualifications section.
Certifications:
No additional certification beyond what is stated in the Required Qualifications section.
Work Experience:
No additional work experience beyond what is stated in the Required Qualifications section.
Skills:
French Language, German Language, Italian Language
Grade
G11
Salary Range
$53,100.00 - $90,600.00 / AnnuallyThe salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.
Questions
For frequently asked questions about the application process, please refer to our External Applicant FAQ.
Accommodation
If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please emailCandidateQuestions@wustl.eduor call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.
All qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.
Pre-Employment Screening
All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.
Benefits Statement
Personal
Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.
Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.
Take advantage of our free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees.
WashU provides eligible employees with a defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan, which combines employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%.
Wellness
Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, access to dietitians, and more!
Family
We offer 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with your new child. Family care resources are also available for your continued childcare needs. Need adult care? We’ve got you covered.
WashU covers the cost of tuition for you and your family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years with us.
For policies, detailed benefits, and eligibility, please visit: https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/
EEO Statement
Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity and especially encourages applications by those from underrepresented groups. It is the University’s policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.Washington University is dedicated to building a community of individuals who are committed to contributing to an inclusive environment – fostering respect for all and welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Individuals with a commitment to these values are encouraged to apply.
