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  Dallas, USA
Collection Assistant, Jobs No deadline

Assistant/Associate Registrar for the Permanent Collection


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Reports to: Director of Collections Management
Department: Collections
Classification: Exempt, Full-time, Full Museum Benefits
Title: Dependent on Experience (Assistant/Associate)
Salary: Dependent on Experience (Assistant/Associate), starting salary $40,000

DMA Mission:
DMA Mission: The Dallas Museum of Art is a space of wonder and discovery where art comes alive.

The DMA will:

  • Place art and our diverse communities at the center around which all activities radiate.
  • Pursue excellence in collecting and programming, present works of art across cultures and time, and be a driving force in contemporary art.
  • Strengthen our position as a prominent, innovative institution, expanding the meaning and possibilities of learning and creativity.

Scope of Position:

This position works closely with the Director of Collections Management, Curators and other personnel in Collections and Exhibitions. The Assistant/Associate Registrar assists the Director of Collections Management with all aspects of collection care, coordinating permanent collection installations, and overseeing storage daily maintenance. The primary function of this position is to track and care for the objects in the DMA’s permanent collection. Job responsibilities are subject to change at any time within the registration department due to departmental priorities and/or for cross-training purposes.

Primary Responsibilities:

  • Follows collection guidelines as outlined in the Museum’s Collections
  • Management Policy and in the internal departmental procedures
  • Oversees permanent collection documentation and data entry in The Museum System (TMS) and in the physical object collection files
  • Oversees archiving practices for the department files.
  • Oversees relocation of objects for storage or exhibition
  • Performs collection inventories
  • Organizes logistics for permanent collection installations and produces documentation for physical and digital object records
  • Collaborates with the Director of Collections Management regarding storage upkeep, both in-house and off-site, and anticipates future storage needs.
  • Responsible for the daily physical and digital management of all onsite and offsite storage spaces
  • Collaborates on discussions of time-based media acquisitions and loans and manages all details relating to artist installation specifications, equipment, and cataloging
  • Tracks movements of all permanent collection objects in the building and off-site using TMS
  • Performs condition reports
  • Coordinates onsite or offsite conservation treatment and framing as needed
  • Records and files incident reports for objects in the permanent collection, coordinating proposed treatment plans with the Director of Collections
  • Management, conservators, curators, and preparators and filing all applicable documentation
  • Coordinates packing and shipping arrangements adhering to special installation requirements, loan agreements, and insurance as necessary
  • Works closely with Preparators, Exhibitions, Curatorial, Operations, and Security departments to coordinate installation-related logistics
  • Works closely with the Director of Collections Management, Special Events and Education staff to coordinate events and programs taking place in the DMA galleries and/or involving collection objects
  • Maintains inventory list of empty crates on site and at off-site storage and related data entry in TMS
  • Collaborates with the Director of Collections and the Collection Database Analyst to implement greater TMS usage across modules and assist in report development
  • Assists the Collection Database Analyst with data entry and documentation in TMS
  • Assists the Head Preparator with the preparation of weekly schedules based on Collections Work Requests with relevant information that impacts registration and exhibitions schedules
  • Assists and/or leads special projects as assigned by the Director of Collections Management
  • Adheres to Museum policies, supporting management decisions in a positive, professional manner
  • Conforms to the Code of Ethics of the American Association of Museums and the Registrar’s Committee of the AAM
  • Acts as courier for DMA collections and exhibitions as assigned
  • Collaborates and contributes positive support to the Collections and Exhibitions team
  • Communicates with other Museum departments, curators, donors, vendors, other museum professionals, as well as the public in a professional manner
    Maintains confidentiality within and outside the Museum
  • Performs other duties and special services as assigned by the Director of Collections

Requirements
Education, Experience, and Certification:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Art History, Museum Studies, or equivalent experience. MA preferred
  • 3+ years’ experience working in an art museum registrar’s department
  • Knowledge of museum standards and practices of registration, art handling, conservation, and collections storage requirements and procedures
  • Knowledge of computerized collections management systems, TMS experience preferred

Key Qualifications:

  • Knowledge of a second language is desirable
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills
  • Accurate typing/keyboard skills; excellent word processing/computer skills
  • Excellent computer skills, including Microsoft Office applications
  • Ability to assess priorities and work well under pressure; excellent time management, problem solving and analytical skills
  • Highly organized, self-directed, and with strong attention to detail
  • Ability to manage multiple tasks and requests simultaneously and budget time effectively
  • Ability to visually inspect artwork, sit or stand for long periods of time, ability to lift and carry 50 lbs., and to travel nationally and internationally

Our Core Values

  • Act with Integrity: Be open, honest, and ethical.
  • Communicate Openly: Be constructive, transparent, and respectful.
  • Build Inclusivity: Diverse backgrounds make us stronger.
  • Join Forces: Support collaboration and unity.
  • Work Passionately: Be fearless, creative, and solutions-driven.
  • Embrace and Drive Change: Be nimble, there is always a way to yes.
  • Invest in Each Other: Pursue learning.
  • Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Policy
  • The Dallas Museum of Art fosters equity, celebrates diversity, and supports inclusion. We acknowledge that diverse backgrounds and voices of visitors, volunteers, trustees, staff, and communities represented in the collection make us stronger and better equipped to make positive impacts locally, nationally, and internationally.

Equity
Society’s historical legacies and systemic barriers have created disparities in the communities we serve. Knowing this, we strive to expand and enhance arts opportunities for all.

Diversity
Many factors—including but not limited to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetics, economic backgrounds, and experiences—make individuals and groups unique. Our goal is to ensure visitors, volunteers, trustees, staff, and collections reflect this diversity.

Inclusion
We commit to listening to and learning from diverse voices and perspectives. We create a vibrant and accessible social space that encourages dialogue and the exchange of ideas through arts and culture.

EOE
The Dallas Museum of Art is committed to building a culturally diverse staff and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The DMA provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.