Assistant Registrar, Collections

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Published: 20 octobre 2021
Full time

The Audrey Jones Beck Building

Works with the Collections Registrar to implement the documentation of works of art entering the permanent collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, as well as with the Curatorial Departments to ensure that accurate records are created and maintained for release to the Online Collections Database

Essential Duties:

Responsible for processing works of art newly acquired by the museum
Assigns accession numbers to artworks newly acquired by the museum
Develop specific numbering system for objects with multiple parts in consultation with curatorial
Creates object files for each new acquisition.
Transfers all documents generated prior to accessioning to new files, verifying the presence of all necessary documents (e.g. shipping and customs documents, incoming loan agreements and receipts, curatorial recommendation for acquisition and minutes from trustee subcommittee and collections committee meetings)
Updates collections database to reflect newly assigned accession numbers and object status.
Examines each new accession: documents special marks, verifies measurements and all physical aspects of the object, and records all information in the collections database and object file.
Ensures that information in the collections database is accurate and consistent with MFAH data standards.
Physically applies assigned accession number to objects for identification using conservation approved method appropriate for each particular object.
Works with Conservation and Preparations Departments to determine the desired and proper handling and storage of new accessions.
Processes large group gifts prior to accessioning
Creates records in TMS, working with curators to ensure that records are accurate and complete, including images, so that they can be released to the OCM in a timely manner after they are officially accessioned.
Acts as point person for curators to make changes to and enhance data in TMS
Re-numbers works as determined by curator (e.g. series, portfolios)
Identifies records with missing or poor images and corrects or adds them
Identifies records with missing dimensions and measures the objects
Creates virtual records in TMS for objects that are sets and pairs
Works with the Senior Preparator to manage the inventory of artworks stored in the temporary holding / recording room, SSR4.
Conducts / organizes annual inventories of the collection
Is the point person for in-house exhibitions
Creates exhibition record in TMS
Records exhibition histories for collection objects
Other related duties may be assigned

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities:

Strong computer skills required; previous experience with “The Museum System” (TMS) preferred.
Must have good organizational skills, be able to prioritize tasks and manage numerous projects at once.
Must be a team player who can work well with others in the Registration, Preparations, and Curatorial departments.

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree in related field preferred OR an equivalent combination of experience and education from which comparable and demonstrable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved.
Minimum of two (2) years of experience in museum registration related employment.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

Work will be performed in varied and wide-ranging indoor environments and conditions. Physical demands are minimal but may vary. Work may involve extended sitting and computer use.

Regular attendance on campus required with limited and intermittent telework options available.

The MFAH has extensive COVID mitigation protocols in place to provide for a safe working environment, including:

Face coverings required for staff at all times in public settings;
Plexiglas partitions for staff members who do not work in offices;
Temperature checks for staff at entrances;
Onsite COVID testing for staff who work in close contact with colleagues or visitors;

More About The Organization:

The Museum of Fine Arts Houston functions as an integrated visual arts experience centered in one of the nation’s great cities. Counted amongst North America’s largest museums, MFAH has permanent collections spanning more than 6,000 years of history with an encyclopedic collection of more than 65,000 works of art and a wide range of media from six continents. The main campus encompasses 14 acres in the heart of Houston’s Museum District, with buildings contributed by world-renowned architects housing permanent collections; 450,000 square feet of permanent and temporary exhibition spaces; a variety of horticultural features and visually stunning gardens, fountains and outdoor exhibition areas; restaurants and arts-themed retail shops; school, classrooms, research and lecture hall facilities; archives, libraries and conservation facilities; and administrative offices. During most of the transformative Campus Redevelopment that has been in process since 2012, annual attendance reached a high of 1.25 million despite significant construction.

Houston stands among America’s largest cities by population and area, is diverse racially and ethnically, and is an economic powerhouse with a very strong arts ecosystem that attracts over 7 million visitors alone to the Museum District where MFAH is centered. MFAH employs over 600 staff members funded solely by MFAH. 400 docents support the educational mission, and 1,500 volunteers support a broad range of MFAH activities.

Work and Culture at the MFAH – Benefits Offered

Medical, Vision and Dental Insurance,
Life and Long Term Disability Insurance,
MFAH Retirement Savings Plan (403b),
Flexible Spending Plans,
Paid Time Off, Reserve Time Off, Volunteer Time Off, Holiday Pay,
Museum Membership and Discounts

Equal Opportunities for All

At the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston we believe that diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusivity are fundamental to our organization. We welcome all candidates whose experience has prepared them to contribute to our organization and to our pledge for workplace diversity, inclusion, and excellence.

Our commitment to our policy and practice of nondiscrimination represents more than good intentions. It provides for employment decisions that are made without regard to race, creed, color, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as established by law or any other reason unrelated to your ability to join and contribute to our organization and support our mission to provide a museum experience for all.

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston is equally committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals interested in employment with the organization. As part of this commitment, we want to ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation needed to 1) participate in the job application or 2) interview process; 3) perform essential job functions; and/or 4) participate in the benefits and privileges of employment with the MFAH. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact the human resources department: HR@mfah.org