Associate Registrar, Loans and Exhibitions [Art Institute of Chicago, IL]

The Art Institute of Chicago is a world-renowned art museum housing one of the largest permanent collections in the United States. It is encyclopedic in nature with strong holdings across all media, all traditions and all ages.  The Art Institute is particularly recognized for its extraordinary Impressionist, Modern, Contemporary and American collections, among other aspects of its holdings.  In addition to housing its permanent collection, it typically stages 35-40 special exhibitions a year.  In 2014, it was named by Trip Advisor travelers as the number one museum in the world, a remarkable recognition that speaks not only to the quality of the collection but to the entirety of the visitor experience.

The Art Institute welcomes between 1,400,000 and 1,800,000 visitors a year and has a membership of 100,000.  The museum has an annual operating budget of approximately $110 million.

Founded in 1879, the Art Institute grew with the success of Chicago and quickly attained world class stature given the strength of its collection.  The Art Institute has expanded several times in its history, most recently and notably with the opening in 2009 of the 264,000 square foot Modern Wing designed by internationally acclaimed architect Renzo Piano.  The addition has been critically important to the museum as it not only provided much needed gallery space, but also allowed the Art Institute to reorganize its galleries to present the collection in a more logical and accessible fashion.  The new addition also includes one of the largest education facilities at any museum and this center has allowed the Art Institute to expand its already impressive array of offerings.

We are currently seeking an experienced Associate Registrar of Loans and Exhibitions to:

BASIC FUNCTION: Reports to the Senior Registrar for Loans and Exhibitions to implement highly active temporary exhibition program of The Art Institute of Chicago. Prepares and distributes various reports, procedural documents, contractual agreements, receipts and invoices related to works of art on loan to the museum. Compiles and maintains computerized databases for temporary exhibitions and calendars for shipment activities.  Arranges insurance, packing, and transportation, including foreign import and export documentation (e.g., customs, CITES, etc.) for art objects, coming to or leaving from the museum for loan and/or exhibition. Consults with and advises curators regarding budgets, loans scheduling and installation logistics.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Manages individual temporary exhibitions including compiling reports for regular meetings.  Reviews and completes loan agreement forms and related legal documents for objects on loan to and from the museum.
2. Arranges transportation, insurance and courier itineraries with shippers, customs agents, lenders and borrowing institutions. Acts as courier for loans and traveling exhibitions.
3. Approves and processes for payment charges related to the transportation, miscellaneous lender/borrower fees and insurance for loans. Invoices borrowers for packing, courier, and glazing fees charged for loans from the collection.
4. Coordinates installation and de-installation of works in consultation with curatorial departments, conservators, art installers, packers, physical plant and security staffs.
5. Consults with curators on the preparation of budget estimates for proposed exhibitions, advising them on probable shipping, insurance and installation costs. Updates budgets as requested.
6. Assists the Executive Director, Museum Registration, in the organization of special exhibitions and loans (e.g., preparing indemnity applications, reviewing venues).