Asst. Registrar for the Collection- Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, MA

[erika.katayama]

Assistant Registrar for the Collection
We are seeking an experienced, full‐time, Assistant Registrar for the Collection to join our registration team. Under the direction of the Registrar for the Collection, you will manage acquisitions and loans to the collection from documenting the approval process and cataloguing to arranging packing and shipping. You will also be responsible for the creation and execution of gift and purchase documents, rights licenses and loan agreements and help to maintain the museum’s collection management database, and creation of digital images. This is very much a hands-on position in a collaborative work environment and you will be called upon to support other activities in registration such as outgoing loans, rights and reproduction, digitization and staff training. Some travel with art to interesting destinations is required.

We are looking for candidates with three years of museum experience (preferably art museums) and a thorough knowledge of current registration principles and practices, fine art shipping, and collection care. Strength and skill in handling fragile works of art required. If you have superb interpersonal skills, strong prioritization and organizational skills; excellent written and oral communication skills; work well collaboratively, and possess a can‐do attitude we urge you to apply. Proficiency with MS Office suite and image editing software such as Adobe Photoshop or Light room and experience with a collection management database required (Museum Plus ideal).

Candidates must have a BA in Art, Art History or Museum Studies, or relevant combination of education and experience. Completion of a graduate program is preferred.

Please email cover letter and resume to jobs@pem.org: or send to Human Resources, Peabody Essex Museum, East India Square, Salem, MA 01970. PEM is committed to diversity among its employees and encourages qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply.

[T. Ashley McGrew]

OK so this may have very little to do with the actual position but I love the wording here. Not registrar "for Collections" (which is often accurate as many museums house and preserve multiple collections) but instead this is the registrar "for the collection". The name implies (as it should) a sense of advocacy for objects that we are privileged to help preserve for this, and future generations. I like to think of myself as a preparator "for the collection".