USC Museums collects, studies, conserves, and presents significant works of art across all times and cultures in order to connect people to creativity, knowledge, and ideas.
Every day, art comes alive in the Museum’s galleries and through its exhibitions, programs and educational initiatives revealing both new ideas and unexpected connections across time and across cultures.
USC Museums responds to the evolving needs and interests of the diverse audiences it serves by providing exhibitions, programming, research opportunities, partnerships, and resources designed to enrich campus and community life.We are looking for a Museum Registrar (Fixed-Term
– 1 Year) to join our team at the Fisher Museum of Art.The Registrar will provide general oversight for documentation and care of the Museum’s diverse collections across campus, building on the museum’s longstanding role as a University-wide resource and cultural center for the surrounding community.
The Registrar will be responsible for management of collections records and database, administer all collections care and management documentation for permanent collection, incoming, and outgoing artworks, and applying best practices to the work of the museum.
This position requires precise attention to detail, strong communication and analytical skills, as well as the abilities to manage multiple projects simultaneously and to work collaboratively and diplomatically.Physical Requirements/SkillsMust be physically capable of lifting up to 35 lbs.; have experience and the ability to lift and handle art objects of various shapes and sizes; and familiarity with power tools.Principal Duties and Responsibilities* Creates and maintains legal documents for accession and deaccession records of artwork in permanent collection, incoming and outgoing loan agreements, condition reports, insurance and customs paperwork, shipping receipts, rights and reproduction paperwork, etc.* Develops and administers the departmental budget related to special projects, collection database, art storage, and exhibition related budget pertaining to shipping, crating, insurance, transportation, and other related costs.
Provides forecasts and projections used to develop budget, as needed.
Provides financial status reports, as requested.* Assists with developing grant applications for areas such as collections conservation, storage refinement and special programs.* Monitors temperature and relative humidity changes in art storage and galleries.* Cares and maintains permanent collection and conducts preventive conservation on the permanent collection as needed.
Collects data and generates environmental conditions reports on a regular basis.* Conducts inventory on a regular basis.
Updates location movement of artworks in the collections information database.
Creates and manages digital records and images in the collections database for permanent collection and updates collection on a regular basis.* Investigates objects found in collection without identification tags, identifies the objects in the acquisition records, and assigns proper accession numbers.* Orders conservation supplies and materials for projects related to the collection and renovation of permanent galleries.* Responds to inquiries in regards to the permanent collection, artwork, preventive conservation, rights and reproduction requests from others, and other related requests in accordance with museum’s policies, procedures, practices and code of ethics.* Assigns proper storage locations for all objects, locates and removes objects from storage for scholarly research, collection evaluation and assessment, exhibition preparation and all other purposes.* Performs other related duties as assigned or requested.
The university reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.* Serves as advocate for exhibitions, museum projects, recent and proposed acquisitions to donors, artists, collection committee, and others.* Assists with the installation and de-installation of permanent and special exhibitions, managing incoming and outgoing loans according to exhibition needs and timelines, and conducts photographic documentation of all processes.* Facilitates loan requests to other museums and art institutions, provides facility report and loan agreement, obtains certificate of insurance, pro forma invoice, customs paperwork and other necessary shipping documents, and coordinates shipping arrangement with different shippers, carriers and lenders.Bachelor’s degree in Art or Art History is required; Master’s degree in Museum Studies preferred; preference will be given to candidates with a collections management and/or registration focus.
This position requires broad knowledge of digital technologies, metadata standards, and best practices in collections cataloguing; experience with registration methods and terminologies, collections management databases, digital asset management, and stewardship of works of art.
Ability to be a member of a small team of museum professionals who staff a dynamic and distinguished academic museum; ability to work with a diverse group of faculty, staff, students and museum visitors on a daily basis; demonstrated ability to prioritize tasks and meet timelines in a deadline driven environment and to work autonomously and make critical independent decisions.Minimum Education: Bachelor’s degree, Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum educationMinimum Experience: 2 yearsMinimum Field of Expertise: Two years of museum registrar or other related experienceUSC is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy.
USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring ordinance.
We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities.
Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100, or by email at uschr@usc.edu.
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