Collections and Exhibitions Assistant Registrar

Institution: University of Michigan Museum of Art (UMMA)
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
Contract: Full-Time
Salary: $55,000 – $60,000

The University of Michigan Museum of Art (UMMA) seeks a Collections and Exhibitions Assistant Registrar to manage acquisitions, collections documentation, loans, and the Robert B. Jacobs Asian Art Conservation Lab. The role involves coordinating care, handling, storage, and registration of both permanent and loaned objects, as well as supporting exhibitions and educational initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Collections Management (60%): Process art acquisitions, condition reporting, database entry, donor communication, collection documentation, inventory, and coordination of conservation treatments.
• Asian Art Conservation Lab (20%): Manage lab operations, client interactions, treatment documentation, supplies, and income tracking.
• Administration (10%): Track departmental expenditures, coordinate vendors, train and supervise staff and interns, manage photography of acquisitions, loans, and exhibitions.
• Incoming Loans (5%): Assist with outgoing and incoming loans, prepare documentation, and act as a courier when needed.
• Rights and Reproductions (5%): Manage external image use requests, update policies, and ensure copyright compliance.

Candidate Profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts, Art History, Museum Studies, IT, or related field.
• 2+ years of experience in a museum setting with object handling, collections management, and database documentation.
• Strong organizational, communication, and attention-to-detail skills.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs, walk, bend, stand, and occasionally travel domestically or internationally.