Preparator/Registrar
South Dakota Art Museum
South Dakota State University
The South Dakota Art Museum at South Dakota State University (SDSU) invites you to join our dynamic curatorial team as a Preparator/Registrar. We’re seeking a creative and detail-oriented professional to play a key role in the planning and execution of the Museum’s robust exhibitions and collections management. This position is located in Brookings, South Dakota and is a 12-month, full-time, benefits-eligible position.
Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, the South Dakota Art Museum at South Dakota State University serves the peoples and communities of the state and its visitors as South Dakota’s premier visual arts resource. With a mission to inspire creativity, connect people, and enrich lives through art, the Museum collects, preserves, exhibits, and interprets visual art to provide access and education and to foster appreciation of the visual arts. The museum’s extensive permanent collection is comprised of nearly 7,000 items ranging from paintings, works on paper, textiles, sculpture, and ceramics, and includes significant collections of American Indian art. Seven galleries host about 12 new exhibits every year featuring a wide variety of artworks and themes, some from the permanent collection and others from traveling exhibits and loaned objects. Many of the exhibitions have ties to South Dakota and others bring national and international perspectives.
South Dakota State University promotes access to and opportunities for all to receive the benefit of and participate in education, research, and service and is especially interested in candidates that can contribute to this land-grant mission of access.
Must be authorized to work in the U.S. Sponsorship is not available for this position.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
A member of the Museum’s curatorial team, the Preparator/Registrar is integral to the consistent planning and implementation of the Museum’s robust schedule of special exhibitions, permanent collection rotations, object registration, and collections care.
• Exhibition Preparation: Design, install, and maintain exhibitions, working closely with the curatorial team, artists, and contractors. Responsibilities include developing exhibit plans, selecting materials, fabricating mounts, overseeing installation teams, and maintaining exhibition spaces and lighting.
• Object Registration: Manage the care, documentation, and transport of museum collections and loaned art objects. Duties involve condition assessments, packing/unpacking, coordinating shipments, maintaining collection databases, overseeing storage areas, and participating in inventory and disaster management.
SALARY RANGE:
The base salary for this position is $44,940. We offer a generous retirement plan that includes 6% matching, 10 hours of annual leave each month, 9.34 hours of sick leave each month, and eleven paid holidays. Relocation benefits are available per university’s guidelines.
BENEFITS:
South Dakota State University is the state’s largest, most comprehensive university with over $60 million annual research expenditures, more than 200 academic programs and an enrollment of approximately 12,000 students. We offer a rich academic experience in an environment of inclusions and access. The university is part of a dynamic community for families, students, young professionals, and retirees, which offers an abundance of attractions and activities. South Dakota State University offers a wide range of excellent benefits including medical, dental, and flexible benefits, retirement plans, compensation packages, paid holidays, and vacation leave. Employees also have access to internal and state-sponsored training as well as reduced tuition for state-supported courses at all State of South Dakota academic institutions.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
• Bachelors degree in Museum Studies, Art History, Arts Administration, Studio Arts, Conservation, History, or a related field;
• Minimum two years experience in the following:
o Working with a Museum collections registration system;
o Operating a Museum collections database, preferably Past Perfect;
o Art exhibition installation;
o Museum art-handling experience;
o Implementing professional standards and procedures involved with art loans and exhibitions (incoming and outgoing);
o Professionally framing art; and
o Building exhibition mounts and displays.
• Valid driver’s license or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire;
• Must be able to lift over 40 lbs, climb a ladder, operate power tools, and operate a mechanical lift.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
• Carpentry and/or engineering skills preferred.
APPLICATION DEADLINE:
Position is open until filled. First review: December 18, 2024.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
SDSU accepts applications through an on-line employment site. To apply, visit: https://yourfuture.sdbor.edu, search by the position title, view the job announcement, and click on “apply for this job.” This system will guide you through the electronic application form. This employment site will also require the attachment of a cover letter, which should specifically address how the candidate meets the qualifications as outlined in the advertisement, resume, and a reference page with the contact information for three professional references. Email applications will not be accepted. Please contact SDSU Human Resources at (605) 688-4128 if you require assistance with this process.
The direct URL is: https://yourfuture.sdbor.edu/postings/41877
Any offer of employment is contingent on the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by law and/or university policies, including but not limited to, successful completion of a criminal background check.
South Dakota State University is a tobacco free environment. It is the policy of the University to maintain a drug-free environment and to thereby establish, promote, and maintain a safe and healthy working and learning environment for employees and students. This position is subject to South Dakota State University’s Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy 4:14.
For questions on the position, contact search committee chair, Abigail Gebro, Retail and Visitor Services Coordinator, South Dakota Art Museum, Abigail.gebro@sdstate.edu, (605) 688-5423.
South Dakota State University promotes access to and opportunities for all to receive the benefit of and participate in education, research, and service and is especially interested in candidates that can contribute to this land-grant access mission. SDSU is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to, and SDSU prohibits discrimination on, the basis of, sex, race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, religion, age, disability, genetic information, veteran’s status, or any other status that may become protected in the offering of all educational programs and employment. Arrangements for accommodations required by disabilities can be made by emailing HR@sdstate.edu. Individuals with concerns regarding discrimination should contact: Equal Opportunity Officer/Title IX Coordinator, Human Resources, Morrill Hall 100, SDSU, Brookings, SD 57007. Phone: (605) 688-4128.
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