Collections Manager and Registrar – Haggerty Museum of Art, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI
The Collections Manager and Registrar is a knowledgeable and experienced art museum professional who leads and implements the highest stewardship standards for works of art entrusted to the Haggerty Museum of Art. They lead and oversee logistics for the Haggerty Museum of Art’s exhibition program, ensure continuity of care for works of art owned by and lent to the Museum, and manage both acquisition and deaccessioning procedures for the Museum’s collection of over 10,000 works of art.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Maintain legal documentation, accession records (ownership, provenance, value, condition, copyright, movement/location, exhibition history, conservation treatment, and images), and historic archives for all objects in the Haggerty Museum of Art’s collection. Liaise with Marquette’s Department of Special Collections and University Archives to ensure proper organization and maintenance of institutional records and archives. Organize and administer regular inventories of the collection to verify location and condition of works.
- Review and update Collection Management Policies and Procedures. Oversee and implement the collections portion of the Museum’s Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Response Plan, in conjunction with the Museum director and Marquette University Risk Management. Work with Risk Management to ensure appropriate permanent collection and exhibition insurance coverage, and to process claims.
- Manage the collections database system, ensuring that standards for data entry are maintained. Arrange for periodic system upgrades and migrations. Manage all digital and hard copy collections records, object files, and digitization of images. Produce and maintain documentation of all exhibitions, incoming, and outgoing loans in collections database system and hardcopy files. Develop and maintain collections website module, ensuring online public access to the collection.
- Establish object conservation priorities for works of art in the Museum’s collection. Provide annual conservation recommendations and budgets, and manage conservation initiatives or treatments to assure preservation of artwork.
- Research and maintain copyright records for works in the collection. Manage and negotiate copyright permissions for publications, publicity, marketing, and related uses. Process requests for reproduction of images of works in collection.
- Organize and maintain exhibition checklists and exhibition project files, including exhibition labels and photo documentation. Issue and maintain legal documents pertaining to temporary exhibitions including loan agreements, receipts, condition reports, and certificates of insurance, in consultation with Marquette University Office of the General Counsel and Risk Management when appropriate.
- Plan, oversee, and implement packing, shipping, couriers, customs, and insurance for exhibitions. Perform condition checks and monitor condition of objects while on display. Assist with installations, de-installations, and exhibition rotations in galleries.
- Support the Museum’s curricular and co-curricular initiatives by providing collections research and interpretation, sharing information about the collection, and facilitating various forms of access to the collection. Contribute to the Museum’s outreach initiatives by providing content for newsletters, social media, and related communications. Represent the Haggerty through public programs, teaching, guest lectures, workshop presentations, and participation in national professional groups.
- Train and supervise student staff, graduate assistants, interns, and volunteers performing work related to the collection and/or in the Museum’s galleries.
- Coordinate outside services related to collections care and management as needed, including contracting for collection photography, conservation, packing, craving, and shipping.
- Assist with collection-focused grant proposals/applications; implement and track grant-funded initiatives.
- Act as courier for traveling exhibitions as needed.
Requirements:
- B.A. in Art History, Museum Studies, Library Science, or related subject required.
- Minimum of five years working in a museum, gallery, or archive.
- Commitment to structural equity, inclusion, and belonging toward broad-based institutional excellence.
- Strong cross-cultural competence.
- High emotional intelligence and proven ability to forge mutually respectful, trusting, and effective relationships with a diverse group of stakeholders.
- Knowledge of and experience with best practices and museum standards for the handling, packing, storage, and transport of a variety of object types and exhibitions.
- Strong organizational/problem-solving skills; detail-oriented; skilled in organizing work and managing time.
- Expertise in museum digitization processes and storage/retrieval of data.
- Knowledge of MuseumPlus or other digital asset management software.
- Experience with exhibition coordination.
- Proven ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
- Proven ability to work effectively and collaboratively both independently and as part of a team.
- Strong written and verbal skills.
- Ability to develop and monitor annual operating and multi-year project budgets.
- Ability to analyze and assess risk, and to communicate options.
- Knowledge of federal and state policies and procedures relating to collections and exhibition ethics.
- Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to manage complex situations with agility, flexibility, and professional courtesy.
- Ability to travel and/or work extended hours as needed.
Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- M.A. preferred, ideally with focus or concentration in collections management.
- Art Handler/Preparator experience.
- Experience working across academic departments and administrative units in a university setting.
- Management or supervisory experience.
- Written and verbal fluency in both Spanish and English.
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