Registrar and Manager of Exhibitions, The Frick, Pittsburgh

Summary: The Registrar & Manager of Exhibitions is an essential member of the Frick’s curatorial team, responsible for the documentation, care, handling, and display of all artworks managed by the museum, either as part of the permanent collection or temporary special exhibitions. This position maintains the collections management data system, manages acquisitions process and loan activities, and coordinates the care, preservation, and risk management of the museum’s collection. They/she/he plays a key role in ensuring that exhibitions and collections displays are completed efficiently, on time, and within budget. The position must demonstrate the ability to multitask and project manage, and the capacity to shift between big-picture planning and task driven projects.

• Must have a commitment to fostering a workplace culture of Equity and Inclusion.
• Please note that all employees must be able to show proof of COVID vaccination and booster.

Reports to: Chief Curator & Director of Collections
Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00–5:00 flex, occasional evening and weekend work
Status: Full-time, exempt with benefits
Pay: $41,765 – $52,206 based on experience

Registrar Responsibilities (40%):
 Manages and supervises the care and use of the collections by ensuring proper storage, handling, conservation and exhibition techniques
 Oversees acquisitions process for occasional gifts and purchases; generates condition reports, incoming/outgoing receipts, and formal gift paperwork to donors. Supervises accessioning process including recording object information; entering into the database and registration log books; assigning accession numbers and physically numbering or tagging artworks; photography of objects; and selecting storage locations and proper housing. 
Oversees incoming and outgoing loans, including documentation, conservation assessments, annual condition reports, shipping arrangements, courier requirements, and renewal forms.
 Evaluates loan requests for objects from the collection; makes recommendations to Chief Curator from perspective of facility, safety, condition, and handling for decision of the loan
 Occasionally serves as courier of collection loans.

 Works closely with Operations and Security departments to manage storage conditions, monitor security and climate in exhibition galleries and collections spaces, assist in making recommendations for improvements to museum facilities 
Performs routine checks of artworks in galleries and collections spaces. Monitors climate conditions weekly, creates reports of data.
 Coordinates ongoing updated appraisals of the collection for insurance purposes. Works with the auditors on an annual basis.
 Coordinates conservation visits; photographs and documents conservation work and processes at the direction of, or in the absence of, the Chief Curator

Records & Information Systems (20%):
 Receives, processes, issues, and maintains records relating to permanent collection and incoming and outgoing loans
 Manages collections database, creates user accounts, trains staff and volunteers, and develops user guides and reports; works with curatorial colleagues to ensure data standardization. 
Maintains accurate locations and coordinates annual inventories
 Serves as main point of contact with collections database (Vernon) and enacts annual updates and continued improvements to software 
Organizes collections image library, preparing a clear and accessible digital file storage system. 
Manages rights and reproduction permissions for loans to the museum for exhibitions or temporary display for the same purposes.

Exhibition Installation & De-Installation (40%): 
Coordinates the physical work of installation and deinstallation in accordance with industry best practices, including: scheduling shipping and receiving, scheduling art handlers, supervising unpacking, condition reporting, installation, and packing. Supervision of other subcontractors as necessary. 
Communicates site needs for installation and de-installation work to other staff onsite including security, operations, and other staff.
 Reviews exhibition contracts and advises on insurance, shipping, security, and installation requirements as well as rights and reproductions of related images. 
Assists in developing exhibition budgets, tracks expenses and processes related payments to subcontractors, consultants, art handlers, and others
 Regularly meets with curatorial team and art handlers in advance of installation to identify and discuss concerns regarding objects installation logistics, conservation, and display/mounting
 Coordinates the logistics involved in loans including courier visits, travel, lodging, and expenses
 Monitors environmental quality of exhibition galleries 
Monitors photography or filming in exhibition areas as needed with other team members

Supervisory Responsibilities: 
Hires, trains, evaluates, and schedules contract art handlers 
Delegates specific collections and exhibitions administration tasks, cataloguing, and location changes to Collections & Exhibitions Assistant and/or interns.

Qualifications:
 BA in Museum Studies, Arts Administration, or related field is required.
 Minimum 3 years museum experience in the area of museum registration and collections management experience
 Experience working in a fast-paced environment while maintaining excellent attention to accuracy and detail
 Able to prioritize and handle multiple tasks simultaneously; able to handle multiple projects in various stages of development; demonstrated ability to proactively prioritize and manage time, and meet deadlines
 Experience with fine arts insurance, knowledge of standard museum loan and registration processes 
Knowledge of standard best practices and procedures for art handling, transportation, installation, storage, condition reporting, preservation, and basic conservation
 Capacity for problem-solving and analytical thinking
 Aptitude to work across departments and disciplines in a highly collaborative, goal-oriented manner; ability to maintain a professional and positive attitude in a dynamic and creative setting
 Proficiency in collections management database software, email, word processing and spreadsheet software, Microsoft Office suite
 Familiarity with NAGPRA, AAMD guidelines and archiving methods and practices 
Clearance of a criminal background check

Physical Activities and Requirements:
 Ability to lift, push, and/or move up to 40 lbs 
Able to safely and successfully grasp, handle, and lift art objects
 Able to safely and successfully ascend or descend ladders, scaffolding, or other necessary equipment for installation of exhibitions

Please submit a cover letter and resume to Human Resources at HR@TheFrickPittsburgh.org.