Collections Associate

The University of New Mexico; Taos (NM); On-site; USD 43,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

The Harwood Museum of Art of the University of New Mexico, based off-campus in Taos, New Mexico, seeks a collaborative and detail-oriented Collections Associate. This role coordinates the stewardship, documentation, preservation, accessibility, and movement of the museum's permanent collection and loans, working with curatorial, exhibitions, education, and operations teams.

The position supports acquisitions, conservation, digitization, exhibitions, publications, research, and public access

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree; at least 3 years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.
• Completed degree(s) from an accredited institution that are above the minimum education requirement may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate stewardship, documentation, preservation, accessibility, and movement of the permanent collection and loans in accordance with professional standards.
• Manage the collections management database; coordinate all aspects of incoming/outgoing loans, object movement, condition reporting, packing/shipping, and image permissions.
• Assist with acquisitions, conservation projects, research, grant-funded initiatives, and institutional planning related to collections stewardship.

Skills

Art history knowledge

Event coordination

Project estimation

Museum policies

Budgeting

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Collections Associate

The Harwood Museum of Art of the University of New Mexico, based off-campus in Taos, New Mexico, seeks a collaborative and detail-oriented Collections Associate.

This key staff member coordinates the stewardship, documentation, preservation, accessibility, and movement of the museum's permanent collection and incoming and outgoing loans in accordance with professional museum standards. Working collaboratively across curatorial, exhibitions, education, and operations, this position supports acquisitions, collections care, conservation, digitization, exhibitions, publications, research, and public access while ensuring the long-term preservation and accurate documentation of the museum's 6,500-object collection.

The Collections Associate manages the museum's collections management database and coordinates all aspects of incoming and outgoing loans, object movement, condition reporting, packing and shipping, copyright and image permissions, and collections access. This position also assists with acquisitions, conservation projects, collections research, grant-funded initiatives, and institutional planning related to collections stewardship while helping maintain the museum's commitment to the highest professional and ethical standards of collections care.

Under general supervision coordinates and oversees a museum's collections items, acquisitions, documentation, use, preservation, disposition, and maintenance. Receives, prepares, and catalogs new materials; coordinates and organizes exhibition-related movement of objects, including packing, shipping, and insurance for collections, exhibitions, and incoming and outgoing loans. Coordinates access to collection for study, teaching, and research. Coordinates and facilitates maintenance activity reports and other database management. Coordinates publicity and publications related to the collection and exhibitions including copyright permissions and images. May supervise museum personnel, volunteers, and/or students.

See the Position Description for additional information.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree; at least 3 years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.

Completed degree(s) from an accredited institution that are above the minimum education requirement may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledgeof art and art history including identification of specific types of artworks.
• Abilityto coordinate and organize meetings and/or special events.
• Abilityto analyze project requirements and prepare work estimates.
• Knowledgeof museum policies, practices, and procedures.
• Knowledgeof budgeting, cost estimating, and fiscal management principles andprocedures.
• Skillin budget preparation and fiscal management of project budgets.

Additional Requirements

Moderate physical activity. Requires handling of average-weight objects up to 25 pounds and/or standing and/or walking an average of four (4) hours per day.

Campus

Taos

Department

Harwood Foundation (124A)

Employment Type

Staff

Staff Type

Regular - Full-Time

Status

Exempt

Pay

Monthly: $3,841.07 - $4,083.34

Benefits Eligible

This is a benefits eligible position. The University of New Mexico provides a comprehensive package of benefits including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance. In addition, UNM offers educational benefits through the tuition remission and dependent education programs. See the Benefits home page for a more information.

ERB Statement

As a condition of employment, eligible employees working greater than .25 FTE as determined by the New Mexico Education Retirement Act must make mandatory retirement contributions. For more information, review the Benefits Eligibility at a Glance grid.

Background Check Required

Yes

For Best Consideration Date

9/14/2026

Positions posted with a Staff Type of Regular or Term are eligible for the Veteran Preference Program. See the Veteran Preference Program webpage for additional details.

The University of New Mexico is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or anyother protected class.

The University of New Mexico requires all regular staff positions successfully pass a pre-employment background check. This may include, but is not limited to, a criminal history background check, New Mexico Department of Health fingerprint screening, New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department fingerprint screening, verification of education credentials, and/or verification of prior employment. For more information about background checks, visit https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3280.html. Refer to https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3200.html for a definition of Regular Staff.