Assistant Registrar of Collections

Art and Wellness Enterprises•Bentonville, AR

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Assistant Registrar of Collections supports the care, documentation, access, and stewardship of the permanent collection of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and the Momentary. The role supports collections management activities including documentation, intake and cataloguing, condition reporting, packing and transportation, and care and storage of collection objects. It maintains accurate collection information and records in The Museum System (TMS), and supports digital asset management, rights and reproductions, conservation activities, and other collections-related initiatives. The position collaborates with Museum colleagues and external partners to support the proper care, preservation, documentation, and accessibility of the collection. The work is performed on-site in Bentonville, Arkansas, in offices, galleries, art storage areas, and other museum spaces. It may include extended periods outdoors during installations of outdoor art. Periodic domestic and international travel is required when serving as a courier. A flexible schedule may be necessary for business needs, including occasional evening, weekend, and overnight work. The role involves regular interaction with the public and internal team members.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in art, art history, museum studies, or a related field.
2–3 years of experience in museum registration, collections management, or a related field.
Experience supporting collections management activities, including collections documentation, intake, cataloguing, condition reporting, or related registration functions.
Experience using a relational collections database.
Knowledge of museum registration and collections management practices, including museum object cataloguing and information management standards.
Proficiency in Microsoft 365 applications and ability to use specialized collections management and digital asset systems effectively.
Strong organizational, writing, proofreading, and analytical skills, with high accuracy and attention to detail.
Strong interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills.
Sound judgment and discretion, and ability to maintain confidentiality when handling sensitive information.
Critical thinking and problem-solving skills, including ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Flexibility, adaptability, and initiative, with ability to contribute effectively as part of a team.
Commitment to accountability and high ethical standards in Museum practices.
Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record.
Ability to obtain and maintain a valid passport.
Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, reach, and climb; use a computer for prolonged periods; and demonstrate good eye/hand coordination.
Close vision and color perception, and ability to safely handle and move collection objects in accordance with established museum standards.
Ability to stand for prolonged periods periodically.
Ability to accommodate occasional evening, weekend, and overnight work and periodic domestic and international travel.

Nice To Haves

Experience in collections and records management.
Experience with The Museum System (TMS).
Experience using a digital asset management system (DAMS).
Knowledge of American art and familiarity with artists’ materials.

Responsibilities

Support the proper display, care, storage, preservation, and accessibility of collection objects with internal and external partners.
Assist with intake and cataloguing of new acquisitions, including documentation, condition reporting, storage, and inventory activities.
Maintain collection object records in digital and physical formats and support accurate, complete collections documentation.
Collaborate with internal partners to update and expand collection information in object files and TMS.
Facilitate internal and external research access to collection files and information.
Support permanent collection gallery rotations by identifying rotation needs, preparing art movement requests, and proofing object labels.
Track conservation examination and treatment needs and coordinate contract conservator visits, including agreements, travel arrangements, and processing conservation reports.
Coordinate regular condition checks of collection objects on display.
Support integrated pest management by monitoring pest traps and identifying insects found in art spaces.
Support monitoring environmental conditions in art spaces, including placement, removal, and calibration of data loggers and maintenance of environmental data records.
Prepare collection reports and statistics as requested.
Stay current with registration standards, collections management practices, and conservation guidelines for artwork care and handling.
Enter, review, and proof collection information in TMS to maintain accurate and complete records.
Upload documentary images of collection objects to the digital asset management system (DAMS) and maintain related information as assigned.
Secure non-exclusive copyright licenses for works in the permanent collection and maintain copyright status, permissions, and crediting requirements in TMS and DAMS.
Respond to internal and external reproduction requests and coordinate image licensing agreements with external parties.
Communicate licensing terms and proof materials to support compliance with permissions and requirements.
Process domestic and international loan requests, including reviewing facility reports, providing recommendations to the Art Committee, preparing loan agreements and condition reports, and updating TMS.
Track permanent collection photography needs and coordinate photo shoots.
Process new images and upload them to TMS and DAMS; coordinate image access for other staff.
Support packing, unpacking, transportation, condition reporting, and other activities associated with movement and care of collection objects.
Serve as a courier, as assigned, accompanying collection objects, exhibitions, and loans domestically and internationally.
Support special projects and other Registration activities as assigned.
Provide guidance and support to interns and volunteers as assigned.
Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned to support evolving organizational needs.