The  Registrar and Exhibitions Coordinator oversees incoming and outgoing loans, maintaining all related records and coordinating logistics for art transportation regionally, nationally, and internationally. Additionally, the Registrar and Exhibitions Coordinator is responsible for ensuring the museum’s compliance with AAM best practices and other state and federal laws regarding incoming loans. This position is responsible for coordinating all loans, including the packing and transport of artworks (using local, regional, national and international vendors), and creating, organizing and maintaining orderly forms, legal documents, and retrieval systems related to the following: commissions of new works, loans, packing and shipping, inventory, insurance, and storage. Working closely with the preparatory staff, The Registrar and Exhibitions Coordinator is also responsible for the care, custody, and condition of all artworks at The CJM and those on tour under the auspices of the CJM. This position is also responsible for development and oversight of The CJM’s traveling exhibitions program.  The Registrar and Traveling Coordinator fully coordinates tour logistics for all exhibitions including booking, scheduling, shipping, contract and price negotiations, installation and maintenance facilitation, communications, and customer service. The candidate will help promote The CJM’s exhibitions nationally and internationally through direct contact with other institutions, promoting exhibitions at conferences, and assist with the development of marketing strategies and promotional materials.  This position interacts with the Chief Preparator, Executive Director, curators and other Museum colleagues, collectors, artists, contractors, interns, and volunteers.

Essential Job Responsibilities

  • Direct art collection management and exhibition coordination including deaccessioning, lending, borrowing, database and physical access, international and domestic shipping, traveling exhibitions, inventory, archival storage, customs, disaster planning and recovery.
  • Address issues related to cataloguing, long-range care, preservation and storage of art works under the care of The CJM.
  • Oversee the Museum’s collection management policies and procedures, assuring their ethical integrity and effectiveness. Maintain and enforce policies and procedures. Identify and administer policy for The CJM registration activity.
  • Administer legal forms for The CJM registration activity (loan agreement, receipt/release, gift agreement, etc.), as well as other appropriate forms, logs, etc.
  • Manage original registration records of all objects owned by The CJM or housed at Museum facilities, including the associated database and access to collection information.
  • Manage, process, and maintain records of all incoming and outgoing loan transactions.
  • Review and evaluate loan requests with Curatorial; negotiate terms of agreement with institutions and individuals; plan appropriate insurance and transportation, and direct delivery schedule and security requirements.
  • Coordinate the development, review, and negotiation of exhibition contracts.
  • Oversee the installation of traveling exhibitions at other venues and determine when couriers are required.
  • Evaluate needs and make all packing, transport and courier arrangements for collection and exhibitions material, serving as The CJM courier when required.
  • Maintain and update The CJM Standard Facility Report; distribute to lenders and respond to inquiries.
  • Manage insurance coverage of art collection and loans and associated claims and issuance of insurance certificates.
  • Advise staff on matters concerning offsite storage, insurance, loan, security and display of objects, as well as other collection or exhibition issues.
  • Manage registrarial aspects and logistics of The CJM and traveling exhibitions, including securing loan arrangements, planning and coordinating shipping, insurance, customs, crating, receiving, storage, object preparation, courier and security arrangements, as well as contract negotiation and facility report review.
  • Perform condition reports of exhibition and collection material upon entry and exit of The CJM.
  • Coordinate movement of collection and exhibition material at off-site storage location(s).
  • Monitor gallery and storage environments, and security related to the collection and exhibitions.
  • Oversee conservation of objects, including identifying issues, agreeing on priorities, examining and reporting on the condition of objects, selecting and overseeing consultants who carry out conservation work, etc.
  • Consult with facilities management in order to maintain proper storage and environmental conditions for collections and exhibitions.
  • Advise security staff on issues specific to each exhibition.
  • Develop, monitor, and manage the conservation, crating, shipping, storage, and insurance elements of exhibitions budgets, working closely with the Chief Preparator and exhibition curators.
  • Participate in exhibition, curatorial, operations, and security planning meetings.
  • Participate in local, regional and national conferences.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

  • B.A. degree in art history, museum studies, or related field; M.A. preferred.
  • Minimum five years as a Registrar or similar position in a museum coordination experience in increasingly responsible positions.
  • Expertise in standard museum registration practices including cataloguing, conservation, and storage practices; packing, crating, and shipping practices; and legal and insurance issues.
  • Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, including strong negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
  • Excellent organizational skills including the ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously.
  • Experience negotiating and coordinating with artists, vendors and insurance companies on requirements and agreements.
  • Experience with EmbARK database software preferred.
  • Experience managing others effectively and working collaboratively in team settings.
  • Strong project and budget management skills.
  • Ability to work independently as well as part of a team.

Physical requirements

  • Extensive reading and writing skills via computer; ability to follow written and oral instructions and procedures.
  • Open space work cube environment with light background noise.
  • Excellent manual dexterity, visual and hearing acuity.
  • Ability to be on your feet up to seven hours a day.

Application Process

Send Cover Letter and resume to:

Registrar Search
The Contemporary Jewish Museum
736 Mission Street
San Francisco, CA 94103

Fax: 415.655.7815
Email:  kolsen@thecjm.org
No phone calls please.

Application deadline: Open until filled

The Contemporary Jewish Museum is an equal opportunity employer.