Job Description

About the Institution

Founded in 1825, the National Academy of Design (NAD) promotes art and architecture in America through exhibition and instruction. As the leading honorary society for visual artists and architects in the United States, we advocate for the arts as a tool for education, celebrate the role of artists and architects in public life, and serve as a catalyst for cultural conversations that propel society forward.

As it looks ahead to its 200th anniversary in 2025, the National Academy of Design is at an especially exciting moment of reinvention and possibility. Following the sale of its buildings on New York’s Museum Mile, and the subsequent creation of a board-restricted endowment, the National Academy is refocusing on the artists and architects who are at the core of its mission, and developing a vibrant schedule of exhibitions and programs that builds on the Academy’s extraordinary history to explore critical issues in contemporary art, architecture, and culture.

About the Position

The National Academy of Design seeks a detailed-oriented and experienced Registrar to join its small curatorial and collections team during an exciting time of transition for the Academy.  This role provides the opportunity for an experienced Registrar to take a lead role in our newly developed 4-year Collection Strategic Plan (more details below).  Reporting to the Director of Collections, the Registrar is responsible for the preservation, documentation, and care for the Academy’s collection of paintings, sculptures, works on paper and new media.  As well, the Registrar will work with the Chief Curator on the development and execution of temporary exhibitions.

Project Responsibilities:

Short-term Projects

• Serve critical role in the early phases of a Collection Strategic Plan by updating/drafting collections management policies and procedures, including ethics policy, emergency management plan, and cataloging manual
• Work with Director of Collections to organize aspects of collections storage
• Maintain and clean up TMS Collections database
• Re-organize object files

Medium-term Projects

• Assemble and oversee a diverse team to carry out a comprehensive collections inventory with the goal of ensuring location accuracy and safe housing of objects, as well as cataloging, digitizing, and assessing the condition of all works in the collection
• Identify works that need conservation, create and implement conservation plan

Ongoing Responsibilities:

Collections

• Process new acquisitions, including arranging shipping and completing Deed of Gift paperwork, completing documentation in TMS Collections, and rights and reproductions documents, following all guidelines of the institutional cataloging manual
• Create and maintain Artist Files
• Work with storage facility crew to monitor storage conditions, climate readings, and pest management
• Maintain location records in TMS and storage facility database
• Assist with the development, publication, and management of a web-based permanent collection platform
• Process outgoing loans, create paper and electronic files
• Order archival and other collection maintenance supplies
• Work with Director of Collections to develop departmental budgets
• Assist Director of Collections with storage and other permanent collection tasks or projects
• Assist Director of Collections with AAM reaccreditation tasks

Exhibition:

• Plan and execute all packing, shipping and insurance for exhibitions; coordinate and supervise the unpacking, installation/de-installation, condition reporting and re-packing of artworks for exhibitions
• Work with Chief Curator to develop exhibition budgets
• Update and maintain all exhibition related activities in TMS Collections
• Supervise volunteers, interns and professional contract workers as necessary to execute many of the tasks described above (Exhibitions and Collections related).

Qualifications:

• Minimum five years of experience in museum registration
• Proficient in TMS; experience with TMS Collections a plus
• Knowledge of preservation practices and procedures, including safe handling, movement, packing, transport, storage, and exhibition of objects
• Experience with planning, organizing, and implementing artworks movement
• Excellent verbal and written communication, general proficiency in Google Workspace, Adobe Creative Suite, and database applications
• Detail-oriented with the ability to work independently and multi-task in a fast-paced environment
• Physically able to lift and move artwork/crates and other work-related equipment; climb ladders; and stand on his/her feet for extended periods of time.
• College degree preferred, graduate work in museum studies, art history, arts management, or related field a plus, but experience is the most important qualification

Salary, Schedule, & Location:

This is a full-time, permanent, and exempt position with a salary range of $60,000-$75,000 and an excellent comprehensive benefits package. Our office hours are Monday to Friday, 9:00am-5:00pm. While we are currently working remote, we anticipate returning to in-office work later this year. Please note that although our offices are in NYC, this position will spent a fair amount of their “office” hours in our fine arts storage facility in Wilmington, DE. The occasional trip to our offices in NYC will also be required.

Hiring Statement:

The National Academy of Design is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. We strongly encourage women, veterans, people with disabilities, people of color, and gender nonconforming candidates to apply. The National Academy of Design is an equal opportunity employer and considers all candidates for employment regardless of race, color, sex, age, gender identification, national origin, creed, disability, marital status, sexual orientation or political affiliation.

How to Apply

Job Categories: Equal Opportunities. Job Types: Full-Time. Job Tags: collections, museum, and registrar. Salaries: 60,000 - 80,000.

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