Collection Specialist

Davidson College; Davidson (NC); On-site; USD 48,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Davidson College seeks a Collection Specialist to manage the Permanent Art Collection's records, loans, storage, research, and object care, supporting teaching and research.

The role involves inventory projects, digitization, accessioning/deaccessioning, and collaboration with the Director/Curator of Van Every/Smith Galleries. Requires 3–5 years in a museum/university collection and familiarity with Embark/Artwork Archive.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in art, art history, museum studies, or related field.
• 3-5 years of experience with a museum or university art collection.
• Knowledge of general art history.
• Experience in collection stewardship standards.
• Demonstrated skill in art collection databases such as Embark and Artwork Archive.
• Demonstrated intermediate computer skills in Microsoft Office.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills to interact with public and professionals as an ambassador of Davidson College.

Responsibilities

• Maintain Permanent Art Collection files and cataloging using Embark and Artwork Archive.
• Conduct cataloging, inventory, and collections audits.
• Coordinate internal and external loans of objects.
• Coordinate photography and digitization projects.
• Support collection accessibility initiatives and storage conditions.
• Coordinate conservation assessments and treatment with outside specialists.
• Assist with accessioning and deaccessioning initiatives.
• Present programs and tours related to the Permanent Art Collection for students, faculty, curators, scholars, and the public.
• Assist work study students and support evening programming.

Skills

Art history knowledge

Interpersonal skills

Written and oral communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in art / art history / museum studies

Tools

Embark

Artwork Archive

Microsoft Office

Job description

The Collection Specialist supports the stewardship, documentation, preservation, accessibility, and use of Davidson College's Permanent Art Collection. Working under the direction of the Director/Curator, the Collection Specialist manages collection records, loans, storage, research, and object care while supporting use of the collection for teaching and research.

This position also plays a key role in special collection initiatives, including collection assessments, inventory projects, digitization efforts, accessioning and deaccessioning activities, and other tasks related to donations of art.

The Collection Specialist plays an intrinsic role in the success of the collective missions of Davidson College and the Art Galleries. The Galleries provide a forum for the presentation, interpretation, and discussion of primarily contemporary artworks in all media for students, faculty, staff, members of the Davidson community, the Charlotte community, and national and international visitors to the campus. An ongoing series of exhibitions and lectures by visiting artists and scholars nurture individual thinking, develop visual literacy, and inspire a lifelong engagement with the arts.

Essential Functions:

• Collection Documentation
  • Maintain the Permanent Art Collection files including core database using Embark software and the public facing online aspect of the collection using Artwork Archive
  • Complete basic cataloging and condition reports as well as research bibliographic support metadata of objects in the Permanent Art Collection
  • Conduct cataloging, inventory, and collections audits.
  • Coordinate internal and external loans of objects
  • Coordinate photography and digitization projects.
  • Support collection accessibility initiatives.
• Collections Care & Preservation
  • Monitor storage conditions and housing standards at VAC (and eventually at Annex Building 3).
  • Coordinate conservation assessments and treatment with outside specialists.
  • Assist with integrated pest management and environmental monitoring
  • Work with staff on regular sculpture cleaning efforts
• Loans and Collection Access
  • Coordinate internal loans through the Art in Offices Program, ArtMate Program, and other campus installations.
  • Coordinate outgoing loans to museums and partner institutions.
  • Prepare loan agreements, condition reports, shipping documentation, and insurance records.
  • Facilitate faculty, student, scholar, and researcher access to the collection.
• Research & Special Projects
  • Conduct object, artist, provenance, and collection research.
  • Support processing of major gifts and bequests.
  • Coordinate accessioning and deaccessioning initiatives.
• Coordinate (and sometimes present with or for the director/curator) programs and tours related to the Permanent Art Collection for students, faculty, curators, scholars, and the public in using the Permanent Art Collection for research or teaching purposes
• Other
  • Assist work study students (in cooperation with director/curator) to facilitate the efficient completion of these responsibilities
  • Hands‑on assistance for various programming/events, including in the evenings
  • Other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in art, art history, museum studies, or related field
• 3-5 years of experience with a museum or university art collection
• Knowledge of general art history
• Experience in collection stewardship standards
• Demonstrated skill in art collection databases such as Embark and Artwork Archive
• Demonstrated intermediate computer skills in Microsoft Office
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills necessary to interact with public and professionals as an ambassador of Davidson College

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proficiency in Creative Cloud, particularly Photoshop and Illustrator
• Proficiency in Wordpress

Reports to: Director/Curator of Van Every/Smith Galleries

Working Conditions: Academic/museum environment. Requires close visual concentration for extended periods of time and ability to lift 30 lbs. Required to work some evenings and weekends at specified times during the year.

Special Instructions to Applicants: This is a full-time (40 hours), 12 month per year, salaried position. Some nights, weekends and travel required.