Assistant Registrar - Block Museum

Northwestern University; Evanston (IL); On-site; USD 51,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision, disability, &/

Job summary

Northwestern University is seeking a collaborative Assistant Registrar at the Block Museum of Art in Evanston. The role focuses on registrations for the permanent collection and exhibitions, including transportation, acquisitions paperwork, and database maintenance.

The position supports public and institutional inquiries, with responsibilities expanding to time-based media intake and coordination with lenders. A bachelor’s degree in an art-related field and registration experience are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in art-related field, art history, or museum studies or equivalent.
• Minimum two years of art museum registration experience.
• Proficiency with collection management software.
• Collaborative teamwork; strong organization and multitasking.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to write clearly.

Responsibilities

• Arrange transportation and packing for exhibitions, acquisitions, and loans.
• Catalog acquisitions and enter objects into the collections database; manage receipts and paperwork.
• Coordinate with lenders/borrowers and outside conservators on paperwork and timeframes.
• Assist installation and de-installation of artworks; supervise art handlers as needed.
• Oversee intake, archival time-based media, and movement tracking in the database.
• Prepare condition reports and generate reports from the collections database.

Skills

Collaboration

Written communication

Organizational skills

Multitasking

Education

Bachelor's degree in art-related field

2+ years museum registration experience

Tools

Collection management software

Crystal Reports

Job description

Job ID: 54238

Evanston, Illinois

Department: Block Museum
Salary/Grade: EXS/5

The expected salary for this position is between $51,350.00 - $60,000 per year, in alignment with departmental equity and market data.

The Block Museum of Art at Northwestern University is seeking a collaborative, team-oriented individual to join our staff. As Northwestern University's art museum, we are dedicated to expanding access and deepening understanding of art. The Block serves students, faculty, staff, and the broader community through exhibitions, programs, close looking, and initiatives that promote interdisciplinary thinking and inclusivity.

Job Summary:

The Assistant Registrar reports to the Assistant Director of Exhibitions and Collections/Senior Registrar on all registration aspects of the permanent collection and exhibitions. This position makes transportation arrangements, processes paperwork associated with acquisitions and loans, maintains information in the collection database, supports the oversight and upkeep of collection files, and provides information to the public and other institutions about the collection.

*Note: Not all aspects of the job are covered by this job description.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Makes transportation and packing arrangements for exhibitions, acquisition candidates, and loans.
• Catalogs incoming acquisitions, enters objects in collections database, creates collection files, receipts, deed of gift forms, artist questionnaires, and processes purchases for payment.
• Works directly with lenders and borrowers to complete paperwork and make arrangements for incoming and outgoing loans. Schedules with outside conservators to review artworks, possible treatments, and provides cost estimates for same.
• Coordinates and assists in the installation and de-installation of works of art.
• May help supervise team of art handlers during installation and deinstallation of exhibitions and during collection projects.
• Works with an outside consultant to oversee intake and archive time-based media artworks.
• Responsible for tracking and recording object movement for exhibitions and collections.
• Maintains collection information (including, but not limited to images, object locations, accession information) within the collection database.
• Assists with the completion of condition reports for artworks both on and off site for collections and exhibitions.
• Serves as an administrator of the collection database and its online component on the web. Writes reports using crystal reports for the collections database.
• Occasional travel and may act as courier for some shipments.
• Prepares departmental invoices for payment, processes expense reports, makes travel arrangements for department and couriers, and assists in other departmental work.

Miscellaneous

• Performs other duties as assigned
• The Assistant Registrar May Also Work With The Associate Director Of Exhibitions And Collections Management.

Minimum Qualifications: (Education, experience, and any other certifications or clearances)

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in an art-related field, art history, or museum studies OR appropriate combination of education and experience.
• Minimum two years of art museum registration experience with hands-on knowledge of registration in collection and exhibitions.
• Demonstrated proficiency with collection management software.
• Capacity to work effectively within a collaborative team culture.Excellent organizational skills, and the ability to multitask and prioritize.
• Ability to manage and track budgets and accounting forms.
• Ability to safely handle and move works of art.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to write clearly and concisely.

Benefits:

At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful and competitive benefits. The available benefits package for this position will include health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; paid vacation and holidays; paid medical/sick and parental leave; tuition benefits for the employee and dependents; pre-tax and flex spending accounts for commuting and dependent care; generous retirement savings options; and wellness programs. For a comprehensive overview of available benefits, including eligibility details, visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:

Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles. We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:

Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern's non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.

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