Description
The Collections Curator and Registrar curates and stewards the permanent collection. Works to ensure proper collection management, manages the registrarial duties for the collection and temporary exhibitions, and supports academic or scholarly access to the permanent collection. Spearheads collecting efforts to create a diverse and globally representative collection.
Collections Curator
Collections Curator: Curates collection show once every five years with the opportunity for curating other exhibitions. Prepares and oversees the design, installation, didactics, and printed materials for said exhibitions and collection spaces throughout the museum. Organizes and executes, with the assistance of the Building Manager/Preparator, the curation of artworks in areas of the museum dedicated to the permanent collection including rotating artworks on an annual or semi-annual basis. Performs scholarly research on works of art in the permanent collection, adding appropriate information and scholarship to related object files and database; catalogues newly acquired artworks and other objects in the permanent collection or oversees student work in this area. Performs other tasks as assigned.
Teaching with the Collection: Works with faculty, students, and staff to support curricular engagement with the collection. Actively engages faculty to teach with the collection through outreach and provides support to meet their teaching goals. Provides relevant background and contextual information on works in the collection, coordinates class visits, provides teaching support for class visits including leading classes and collaborative teaching, and pulls artwork from the collection for said visits. Works with other repositories on campus, such as Hamilton College Archives, Special Collections, and academic departments to facilitate research on and access to shared or related collections. Hires, supervises and trains work-study students as monitors for seminar rooms and researchers for the collection. Provides opportunities for student growth. Answers questions, retrieves relevant information, and prepares research documentation pertaining to objects in the permanent collection or past exhibitions in response to requests, including overseeing access to object research files. Works with visiting academics and curators to support research of the collection. Attends and participates in Hamilton College lectures and events to act as an emissary for the Wellin engaged within the academic community.
Acquisitions: Spearheads collecting efforts to create a diverse and globally representative collection. Must possess and consistently foster a broad knowledge of the history of art and a specialized knowledge of contemporary art and the art market. Consults with and makes recommendations to the Johnson-Pote Director for potential acquisitions, arranges viewings, prepares all necessary paperwork and correspondence, executes purchases, and monitors acquisition endowments in concert with the Office Administrator. Maintains a network of alumni, specialists, scholars, curators, artists, collectors, and dealers from whom to seek advice and input on acquisitions and to support the museum’s mission. Researches and makes recommendations for de-accessioning.
Collection Care and Preservation: Entrusted with the care of artifacts and artworks in the collection. Steward in charge of identifying and addressing preservation and conservation issues. Surveys collection regularly for conservation needs; seeks and reviews conservation proposals and estimates; implements long-term conservation goals.
Development: Collaborates with Johnson-Pote Director and Hamilton College Department of Advancement to identify and cultivate donors; fields gift offers; writes gift of art offer recommendations, evaluate gift offers, and to make arrangements for promised gifts; executes and processes all gift agreement paperwork. Performs other tasks as required.
Registrar
Collection Registrar: Maintains acquisition and collection management policies and ensures that collection practices are in line with all AAMD-recognized legislation. Responsible for the maintenance of the museum collection; numbering/labeling artifacts; moving of collections items and recording said moves; arranging insurance appraisals; and maintaining insurance records. Works with the Building Manager/Preparator to monitor the physical and environmental conditions of collection items on view and works of art on loan for exhibitions, and collection storage areas for proper environmental controls and space utilization. Responsible for the registration of collection items; for maintaining records and files, physical and digital, of accessioned works of art and objects on loan to the museum; making regular object inventories; designing and preparing reports on the collection. Schedules and oversees photography of collection objects and responds to image request for collection images. Continues the ongoing digitization of the museum’s collection: maintains and updates the information provided within the museum’s collection database and its corresponding online database; creates records for newly acquired artworks; promptly adds artworks to the online database as information is vetted and images are added; works with Gallery Systems and Hamilton College LITS to troubleshoot and upgrade collection database (The Museum System) and corresponding online database (eMuseum).
Exhibitions Registrar: Responsible for processing incoming and outgoing loan agreements for temporary exhibitions or other purposes; coordinating the receipt and dispersal of incoming and outgoing artwork; issuing and executing incoming and outgoing receipts; ensuring appropriate insurance coverage for incoming and outgoing artworks including obtaining certificates of insurance; and preparing and maintaining photographic and written condition reports of objects on loan. Coordinates transportation and shipping logistics for all exhibitions mounted by the Wellin and traveling venues from assembly to dispersal following the close of exhibitions. Receives documentation at the close of the exhibition from each venue. Provides assistance to traveling and borrowing venues as needed including the couriering of artwork. Oversees the archiving of the museum’s exhibition files, per Hamilton College’s retention policy. Performs other tasks as assigned.
Qualifications
MA in Museum Studies, Art History, or related field with 7+ years of both collection and registrarial experience in a museum setting, preferably academic. Demonstrated history of working with a broad collection of artwork spanning a variety of mediums, eras, and cultures. Prior courier experience expected.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
- Dedicated individual with a pleasant demeanor and positive attitude.
- Understands and adheres to the standards prescribed by the American Alliance of Museums, including the collections policies and the code of ethics, as well as accepted good practices.
- Strong knowledge of contemporary art, the artworld, art market, and trends in the field.
- Proficiency with The Museum System (TMS) collections management database.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Strong organizational, planning, and research skills.
- Detail-oriented, meticulous, and conscientious in following through on assigned tasks.
- Proficiency with computers in standardized word processing, and spreadsheet programs.
- Ability to work independently, exercise initiative and good judgment to successfully organize and complete assignments.
- Ability to collaborate and work as part of a small team.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with faculty, staff, students, and visitors.
- Commitment to being an active participant in the Hamilton College community by attending events, forging relationships with faculty as well as caretakers of collections elsewhere on campus.
- Commitment to learning and growing in the field.
- Ability to travel, work evenings and/or weekends as necessary in the performance of assigned responsibilities.
Application Instructions
Please submit cover letter, resume and contact information for three professional references. Consideration of candidates will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. This institution is using Interfolio’s Faculty Search to conduct this search. Applicants to this position receive a free Dossier account and can send all application materials, including confidential letters of recommendation, free of charge.
To apply visit: https://dossier.interfolio.com/apply/67983
Categories: Job Postings