Senior Registrar

National Museum of Wildlife Art; Naples (FL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Artis-Naples' The Baker Museum seeks a Senior Registrar to lead registration and collections stewardship for its permanent collection and 8–12 annual exhibitions. You will manage loans, documentation, condition reporting, and object tracking while serving as a liaison with lenders and professional partners.

The role supervises the Assistant Registrar, sets workflows, and ensures compliance with professional standards and AAM requirements. 100% onsite presence is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in museum studies or related field.
• 3–5 years in museum collections management.
• Experience with cataloging, inventory, and object handling.
• Knowledge of registration methods per AAM.

Responsibilities

• Lead digital and physical documentation for the permanent collection and loans.
• Manage the TMS database and maintain records across modules.
• Process acquisitions and deaccessions per policy.
• Document and track object condition through receipt, transport, and installation.
• Oversee exhibition registration and logistics for 8–12 annual shows.
• Supervise Assistant Registrar and coordinate with departments.
• Ensure compliance with AAM standards and loan requirements.

Skills

Exhibit installation & deinstallation

Loan scheduling

Art handling knowledge

Budget & fiscal management

Communication skills

Copyright knowledge

Security systems knowledge

MS Office

TMS Collections

SmartSheet

SketchUp

Conserv knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in museum studies / art history

Tools

TMS Collections

SmartSheet

SketchUp

Conserv

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Summary

Reporting to the Museum Director and Chief Curator, the Senior Registrar leads the registration activities and collections stewardship for The Baker Museum, an AAM-accredited art museum that operates as part of the multidisciplinary arts organization Artis-Naples. The role oversees loans, collections documentation, condition reporting, object tracking, loan agreements, insurance and registration requirements for the permanent collection and approximately 8-12 exhibitions annually. The Senior Registrar ensures that borrowed artworks are received, documented, installed, transported, and returned in accordance with loan agreements, museum procedures, and professional stewardship standards, and serves as the principal registration liaison for lenders, conservation, framing, fine art shipping, and other qualified outside professionals.

The Senior Registrar supervises the Assistant Registrar and is accountable for registration priorities, workflows, documentation quality, loan compliance, and timely project delivery. Working closely with the Director of Museum Exhibitions and Operations, the Senior Registrar coordinates registration requirements with exhibition schedules. The role develops registration and collections care priorities, recommends policies and resource needs; identifies and escalates any risks to stewardship, loan compliance, or operations; and ensures adherence to American Alliance of Museums collections standards. Due to the collaborative nature of our work, this position requires 100% onsite presence.

Supervises

Assistant Registrar

Essential Duties & Responsibilities (other duties may be assigned)

COLLECTIONS REGISTRATION, DOCUMENTATION, AND CARE

Lead digital and physical documentation for the permanent collection of more than 3,000 objects, new acquisitions, incoming and outgoing loans, and temporary deposits, ensuring consistent standards, accurate records, and legal and ethical compliance.

Manage TMS Collections database, creating and maintaining object, loan, constituent, bibliography, exhibition, shipping, and media records, and overseeing cataloging and lexicon standards.

Process acquisitions and deaccessions in compliance with museum policies and approval procedures. Administer proposed acquisitions through Temporary Deposit receipts, packing and shipping, condition reports, completed Acquisition Proposal forms, and required documentation, including Deed of Gift, Deed of Purchase, and Gift of Art Acknowledgement Letters.

Document artwork condition at receipt, transport, installation, and deinstallation; manage inventories and location audits; track and communicate requirements for environment, IPM, storage, collections care, and risk management.

Maintain, and recommend updates to registration procedures and collections management policies to Museum Director and Chief Curator, in consultation with the Director of Museum Exhibitions and Operations, that are consistent with professional standards and AAM requirements.

Manage image rights, permissions, licensing, and records.

EXHIBITIONS REGISTRATION AND LOGISTICS

Lead registration for approximately 8-12 annual exhibitions encompassing approximately 500 loaned objects. Manage incoming and outgoing loans, loan agreements, Facility Reports, object checklists, crate lists and labels, receipts, condition reports, insurance certificates, and related documentation.

Coordinate registration, shipping, installation, deinstallation, and return schedules and documentation; track artwork receipt and return, including location, movement, custody, and insurance, documenting loan conditions, lender requirements, and contractual obligations.

Maintain documentation of insurance values, shipping records, packing lists, and custody transfer records; coordinate with Finance team to ensure appropriate insurance coverage is maintained for all artworks in the museum's custody.

Maintain complete exhibition and loan files, registration calendars, loan schedules, and departmental records. Coordinate operational responses with Director of Museum Exhibitions and Operations and advise Museum Director and Chief Curator of potential compliance issues, delays or other risks.

Coordinate registration requirements for specialized outside services, including conservation, framing, and storage; maintain professional relationships with lenders, artists, galleries, museums, and institutional partners.

DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION

Supervise and develop the Assistant Registrar; delegate and prioritize loan administration, collections documentation, condition reporting, object tracking, and exhibition logistics. Set workflows and deadlines, review documentation for accuracy and completeness, and provide guidance, training, and feedback; retain accountability for registration outcomes and efficient project delivery.

Lead improvements to registration procedures, recordkeeping, and workflow efficiency; report registration and collections-stewardship priorities and recommend staffing, budget, and operational-resource needs directly to the Museum Director and Chief Curator.

Collaborate closely with the Director of Museum Exhibitions and Operations, curatorial staff, and other departments on registration requirements, budgets, deadlines, and operational concerns; work effectively with all Artis-Naples

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

Bachelor's degree in museum studies, fine art, art history, history or other relevant discipline with experience in administrative work, object handling and database knowledge essential.

3-5 years of experience in museum collections management, including cataloging, inventory, and object handling, with expertise in art handling, storage, and transportation best practices, and a strong knowledge of museum registration methods per the American Alliance of Museums.

Skills & Abilities

Principles and practices of museum exhibit installation and deinstallation

Loan scheduling and coordination techniques

Knowledge of legal processes for the acquisition and disposal of art

Budget and fiscal management processes and procedures

Effectively communicate with others both internally and externally in producing desired exhibitions

Knowledge of non-profit copyright and fair use laws

Knowledge of art/museum security systems and procedures

Working knowledge of Microsoft Office suite and TMS Collections required, knowledge of SmartSheet, Sketchup and Conserv preferred