Job: Full Time, Salaried, Exempt, Non-union

Supervisor: Chief of Curatorial Affairs

Salary : $75,000 – $82,000, commensurate with experience

Position Summary:

The Director of Registration at the Milwaukee Art Museum oversees and administrates the Museum’s Department of Registration. The Director of Registration works closely with the Chief of Curatorial Affairs as well as other curators, conservators, art preparators, exhibition managers, and designers to develop and implement effective, industry-standard policies and procedures for the Museum relating to exhibitions and collection management. The Director of Registration manages collection records and record-keeping systems for over 30,000 objects, helps plan temporary loan exhibitions and coordinate long-term loans, and develops and maintains the departmental budget. A leader in the Museum, this position is a member of the Extended Leadership Team (ELT) and a collaborative advocate for the care and stewardship of all works of art at the Museum. 

Duties and Responsibilities:

Permanent Collection: 

• Responsible for Museum collection records, including initiating and maintaining paper files and digital database (TMS) for collection of over 30,000 objects owned by or entrusted to the care of the Museum
• Develop and implement policies and procedures pertaining to collection management and care.
• Manage all aspects of Museum registration for permanent collection to include: accessioning, gift processing, deaccessioning, art inspection, location tracking, inventory, and documenting all movement and transport
• Select and maintain the Museum’s fine arts insurance policy and note any limits, restrictions, and special conditions regarding the permanent collection and loans
• Coordinate with staff and vendors the packing and shipment of all artworks, both incoming and outgoing
• Manage all fine art storage for the Museum, both onsite and at the Museum’s offsite location, maximizing capacity, art safety, and accessibility
• Perform other appropriate collection-related duties as assigned

Exhibitions and Loans: 

• Responsible for all registrar coordination and oversight related to temporary exhibitions, whether directly or in supervision
• Participate in exhibition contract negotiations 
• Liaise between Museum and lender, including preparing loan agreements and reviewing and communicating lender requirements
• Serve as exhibition coordinator for Museum’s traveling exhibitions at other venues
• Oversee domestic and international transport for incoming and outgoing loans, including crating, incoming and outgoing shipments, condition and packing reports, couriers, and insurance
• Prepare and manage shipping budgets for temporary and traveling exhibitions
• Oversee management of records for long-term loans and promised gifts to the Museum
• Oversee the movement, installation, and deinstallation of objects in exhibitions, helping to ensure adherence to art safety, proper handing, and security procedures 
• Serve as coordinator for Museum’s participation in the Certified Cargo Screening Program
• Coordinate indemnification applications as appropriate
• Perform other exhibition-related duties as assigned 

Leadership:

• Determine schedules, establish priorities, assign responsibilities, and distribute work
• Supervise and mentor staff in the Department of Registration, currently Associate Registrar for Collections and Associate Registrar for Exhibitions and Loans 
• Serve as an active member of the Extended Leadership Team (ELT)
• Represent the Department of Registration in all relevant meetings, projects, and long-term initiatives
• Advise and educate Museum staff on effective policies of collections management

 Qualifications: 

• BS/BA degree required; Masters degree preferred. 
• 10+ years in a Museum environment; 3+ years of proven supervisory and management experience
• Thorough knowledge of current Museum techniques, practices, and standards regarding special exhibitions, registration methods, new acquisitions, collection records and cataloguing, and computerized systems
• Knowledge of fine arts insurance, and U.S. Indemnity regulations and policies
• Knowledge of export licenses, bonding, customs regulations, and security procedures
• Demonstrated professional demeanor, proven ability to work on complex projects both as a team leader and major contributor, and ability to represent the Museum with a high level of integrity and professionalism
• Ability to assess priorities and work well with deadlines; exceptional time management, problem solving, and analytical skills
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and management skills; ability to inspire and lead a team and build effective relationships across the Museum  

Physical Demands:

• Bend, lift up to 25 lbs. and climb stairs
• Remain stationary up to 6 hours per day
• Move moderate distances and about the museum, loading dock, vaults and offices
• Reach high spaces
• Reach low spaces or crawl upon occasion
• Distinguish color and depth, ability to adjust focus
• Communicate clearly and accurately with a variety of stakeholders via email, phone, and in-person

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all qualifications, responsibilities, duties and skills.

Benefits Summary 

The Milwaukee Art Museum offers a competitive compensation package including Health and Dental benefits, Vision Plan, Flex/Dependent Spending Account, Health Spending Account, Group Term Life and Voluntary Life Insurance, Short Term Disability, Pension Plan, Retirement Plan, Vacation, Personal Days and Holidays, Parking Discount, Museum Membership and Museum Discounts.   

Milwaukee Art Museum is an EOE/M/W/Vets/Disability Employer.

DEAI Statement:

The Milwaukee Art Museum is an equal opportunity employer. The Museum recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, and other protected status as required by applicable law.

We are committed to recruiting, developing, compensating, and retaining professional staff that reflect our community. We aspire to be a diverse workplace where talented people want to come, stay, and do their best work. 

We stand committed to the work ahead, informed by our community, which we will support with our best thinking, our deepest empathy, and the courage to embody the convictions shared in our Strategic Direction.