Ashvita's - Collections Manager

Festivals From India; Chennai; On-site; INR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Job summary

Ashvita's FineArt & Collectibles in Chennai seeks an experienced Collections Manager to lead systematic management and documentation of its art and archival holdings. The role focuses on inventory control, conservation practices, and safe handling, with collaboration across internal teams and external vendors.

The ideal candidate will establish robust procedures to safeguard collections, ensure traceability, and maintain professional standards across storage facilities.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Art History or related field.
• 8 years of experience in collections management, archiving, and registration.
• Strong understanding of preventive conservation, object handling, and storage standards.
• Experience overseeing artwork movement, framing, and condition reporting.
• Vendor relationships management with conservators, shippers, and framers.

Responsibilities

• Lead systematic management and documentation of the collection.
• Maintain inventory control and comprehensive object-level records.
• Implement preventive conservation and safe handling practices.
• Oversee storage, packing, and movement of artworks and archival materials.
• Establish SOPs and ensure accountability across facilities.

Skills

Preventive conservation

Object handling

Storage standards

CMS software

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

PowerPoint

Collections management

Vendor management

Framing

Condition reporting

Education

Master's degree in Art History

Master's degree in Art Conservation

Museology

Tools

CMS software

Excel

Word

PowerPoint

Job description

The Art-X Company is hiring for their client Ashvita's in Chennai for a Collections Manager. We are looking for an experienced and detail-oriented Collections Manager to lead thesystematic management, documentation, conservation, and logistical coordination of its diversecollection of fine art and collectibles. The role will be responsible for ensuring accurateinventory control, maintaining comprehensive object-level records, implementingpreventive-conservation practices, and overseeing the safe storage, handling, packing, andmovement of artworks and archival materials.

The Collections Manager will establish robustsystems and standard operating procedures to safeguard collections, mitigate risks, and ensureaccountability across storage facilities. Working closely with internal teams, specialistconservators, and external vendors, the role will strengthen collections-management practicesand ensure all holdings remain secure, traceable, and professionally maintained.

About Ashvita's FineArt & Collectibles

Established in 2002, by Ashvin E. Rajagopalan, Ashvita's is a diversified art businessspecialising in Indian Art and collectibles. Headquartered in Chennai, Ashvita's conductsmuseum-quality exhibitions and operates ashvitas.com, a premier online auction house.Ashvita's provides a vast range of art services that include private acquisitions and sales,wealth management, valuation, conservation, archival services, display and art logistics.Ashvita's works with select individual collectors, corporate collections, and institutions.Ashvita's has developed cultural programming and events with critics, art historians, andartists including public talks, film screenings, performances, studio visits and workshops.Our education department is focused on audience engagement across schools and colleges,as well as on publishing in-depth books on Indian Art.Over the last 20 years, Ashvita's has increased its footprint to provide its servicesnationally with offices in Chennai, Mumbai, and New Delhi. Ashvita's works with aglobal network of art professionals to be able to provide one-stop solutions for artcollectors.

Please note:

• The vetting process for this role comprises 2-3 rounds of interviews and may be followed by a brief assignment.


• Festivals From India is hiring for this role on behalf of our client.


• This is an on-site, project-based full-time position in Chennai.


• Salary band for this role is available upon request.
  

Requirements

Essential Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Art History, Art Conservation, Museology, or related field preferred.
  


• Strong understanding of preventive conservation principles, object handling, andstorage standards.
  


• Proficiency in collections management software (CMS) and IT systems includingMicrosoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
  


• 8 years of experience in collections management, archiving, and registration within anart gallery, museum, or private collection.
  


• Demonstrated experience in overseeing artwork movement, framing, conditionreporting, and preventive conservation.
  


• Proven track record in managing vendor relationships (conservators, shippers, framers)and supervising technical team members.