Senior Registrar, Exhibitions

MoMA; New York (NY); On-site; USD 80,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation days

Sick leave

Holidays

401(k) plan

Job summary

MoMA PS1 seeks a Senior Registrar to lead registration logistics for a dynamic contemporary exhibition program. You will oversee packing, shipping, insurance, condition reports, and installation for loans, temporary shows, and site-specific works, while enforcing museum best practices.

You will manage budgets, coordinate with curators, lenders, and artists, and supervise a small team of registrars and staff, ensuring timely, compliant operations across exhibitions.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7 years of registration experience including art handling, packing, shipping, and courier transit for complex exhibitions.
• Thorough knowledge of standard museum loan and registration practices and fine arts insurance.
• Demonstrated experience developing and managing registration budgets.
• Experience directing and managing skilled installation crews for varied media.
• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication with cross-departmental collaboration.
• Ability to prioritize, multitask, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Flexibility to respond to emergencies and art incidents, including off-hours.

Responsibilities

• Direct end-to-end registration logistics for incoming loans, exhibitions, and site-specific commissions, including shipping and customs in compliance with museum standards.
• Develop and oversee registration budgets with initial estimates, expense tracking, and regular reporting.
• Administer loan agreements, negotiating lender terms with senior staff and legal as needed.
• Manage fine art insurance coverage, COI procurement, and broker relations.
• Plan install/deinstall schedules with staff allocations, couriers, and curators, coordinating priorities.
• Collaborate with curators, artists, lenders, conservators, and fabricators on care and handling protocols.

Skills

Registration

Art handling

Budgeting

Staff management

Liaison with lenders

Negotiation

Insurance coordination

Tools

TMS (museum database)

Google Workspace

Job description

Inspired by daring artists, MoMA PS1 is committed to the exploration of contemporary art and culture, broadening perspectives on the issues of our day, and engaging New Yorkers and communities across the world. Founded in 1976, the institution was a defining force in the alternative space movement in New York City, transforming a nineteenth-century public schoolhouse in Long Island City into a site for artistic experimentation and creativity. PS1 has been a member of New York City’s Cultural Institutions Group (CIG) since 1982 and affiliated with The Museum of Modern Art since 2000.

Summary

MoMA PS1 seeks an experienced Senior Registrar to lead registration logistics for our ambitious contemporary exhibition program. The Senior Registrar will partner directly with curatorial staff, living artists, international and domestic lenders and vendors to oversee packing, shipping, couriers, insurance, condition reports, installation, and ongoing maintenance for temporary exhibition artworks, site‑specific installations, and loans. Additionally, this role implements policies and procedures to support the exhibition program and uphold museum best practices.

Supervision

This position reports to the Director of Exhibitions and Programs and works collaboratively across all museum departments including Program Production, Curatorial, External Affairs, Visitor Engagement, Security, Operations, and Administration, as well as with lenders, conservators, artists, couriers, and other artistic collaborators. The Senior Registrar leads a dedicated team including one Registrar and one Assistant Registrar as well as regularly scheduled contract Registrars. In collaboration with the Manager of Installation and Production, the Senior Registrar guides a team of seasonal gallery installation staff.

Responsibilities

• Direct end‑to‑end registration logistics for all incoming loans, temporary exhibitions and site‑specific commissions, including domestic and international art shipping, crating, packing, and customs clearances in compliance with museum standards.
• Develop and oversee registration budgets by creating initial estimates, processing and tracking expenses, and reporting regularly on budgets related to each exhibition.
• Administer loan agreements, negotiating lender terms and requirements in close coordination with the Director of Exhibitions and Programs, the Chief Curator and Director of Curatorial Affairs, MoMA Legal, and insurance broker.
• Manage fine art insurance coverage, including policy renewal, special exhibition coverage, COI procurement, and ongoing broker relations.
• Plan all install and deinstall schedules in collaboration with the Program Production team; consider staffing levels for art handler needs, contract registrar assignments, artists on‑site, couriers, conservators, shipping deadlines and curatorial priorities.
• Partner directly with curators, living artists, lenders, fabricators and conservators to establish care, handling, and installation protocols for all incoming loans including unconventional materials and site‑specific works.
• Manage incoming and outgoing condition reports, maintain archival photographic records, and coordinate daily gallery checks.
• Work across museum departments to supervise ongoing artwork maintenance, environmental monitoring, and safety in gallery spaces throughout the run of each exhibition.
• Implement and update registration policies, digital record keeping standards, and workflow procedures to uphold museum best practices.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7 years of registration experience, including logistical oversight of art handling, packing, domestic and international shipping, customs clearance, and courier transit for complex exhibitions.
• Thorough knowledge of standard museum loan and registration practices and fine arts insurance.
• Demonstrated experience developing and managing registration budgets.
• Experience directing and managing skilled installation crews, with creative problem‑solving skills for non‑standard galleries and a wide range of artistic media.
• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, including diplomatic negotiation and cross‑departmental collaboration.
• Proven ability to prioritize, multitask, and meet evolving deadlines with composure in a fast‑paced environment.
• Flexibility to respond to emergencies and art incidents during off‑hours, weekends, and holidays.
• Proficient with museum databases systems (TMS preferred) and experience working in Google environments.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $80,000 – $95,000 annually. Benefits include 20 days paid vacation leave; 10 days paid sick leave; 11 paid holidays; and 3 paid personal days; participation in a 401(k) savings plans, life insurance; medical/health (including visual and dental); transit, health, and dependent care FSA; and pension plan.

MoMA PS1 is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace.

Equal Opportunity Employer
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