Registrar

Position title: Registrar

Reports to: Director & Curator of Collections

Division: Collections & Registration

Employment Status: Temporary, full-time, exempt

Work schedule: 35/hours, hybrid role until October 30, 2024, with the possibility to transition to a permanent position.

Compensation: $70,000 - $80,000 plus benefits, based on experience

Work Hours: Monday – Friday, 9 am – 5 pm

Position Summary 

Under the direction of the Director & Curator of Collections, the Collections Registrar will manage registration of objects in the collection, loaned from and borrowed for the collection, be responsible for the onsite physical care and organization of objects in the collection, and will function as a liaison between the internal and external elements of acquisitions, deaccessions and loans to the collection with an emphasis on logistics, documentation, and risk management.

Supports the collections and exhibitions departments with the duties and responsibilities of the department, specifically focusing on incoming loans for non-collection exhibitions. Functions as the primary contact for lenders of exhibition objects. Also assists in a variety of tasks related to the care, organization, and management of the Frye Art Museum’s collections and digital images.

About Frye Art Museum

Founded in 1952, the Frye is Seattle’s only free art museum, bringing together art and new ideas within a stunning Olson Sundberg Kundig-designed building in historic First Hill. A foundation collection of turn-of-the-century oil paintings is bolstered by a wide range of modern and contemporary art holdings, reflecting our region’s evolving identity and a commitment to exploring the art of our time. Learn more at fryemuseum.org

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Prepare packing and shipping budget estimates for exhibitions.
• Prepare loan agreements for exhibition loans; monitor lender responses, correspond and negotiate with lenders as needed.
• Prepare certificates of insurance for lenders as required.
• Arrange packing, shipping and receipt of exhibition loans.
• Assist in the care, handling, packing/unpacking, and movement of art objects. Work closely with exhibition preparators to ensure proper handling and packing of objects.
• Examine artworks and create condition reports; document condition and packing materials with digital images.
• Arrange and conduct Security walk-throughs of exhibitions; respond to Security alerts about art contacts.
• Coordinate arrangements for lender couriers; conduct virtual courier sessions as needed.
• Provide database support for the Collections Management System: Create records for incoming loans, loan objects, and exhibitions: track and update locations of loan objects; create reports.
• Assist with periodic inventories of art collections, prepare detailed inventory lists from the database, and compile results.
• Monitor environmental conditions in art storage and exhibition spaces on a weekly basis; generate and analyze specialized reports for distribution to select staff.
• Arrange and oversee professional photography of collections objects; process digital images.
• Order office and collections storage supplies.
• Code and process invoices.
• Act as a courier for Frye Art Museum outgoing loans as needed.
• Other duties as required.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in fine art, art history, museum studies, or related field,
• At least five years of experience working in a museum Registrar’s office.
• Knowledge of professional museum policies, standards and practices.
• Positive team player with strong written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills,
• Ability to work accurately under pressure.
• Ability to work independently.
• Computer skills including Word, Outlook, Excel, and Adobe, plus experience with collections management systems.

Benefits

• ORCA card benefits for eligible employees
• Paid vacation and sick time after 90 days of employment
• 20% museum store discount
• Reciprocal museum membership
• 15% discount at MariPili at Café Frieda

How to Apply
Candidates are required to submit a cover letter and resume. 

The position is open until filled. No emails or phone calls, please. Due to the high volume of applications received, we can only contact candidates whose skills and backgrounds best fit the needs of the open positions. We will contact you by email or phone if we wish to arrange a phone screen or interview.

Work Conditions
Work areas are inside, in a climate-controlled environment with light background noise. Shift times may vary to meet the role's essential duties.

Physical Activities Required to Perform Essential Functions

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time.
• The person in this position needs to occasionally move about inside the office to access filing cabinets, office machinery, etc.
• The ability to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
• Frequently moves boxes, materials, and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds across the office for various needs.
• The ability to observe details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
• Constantly positions self to maintain files in file cabinets or to move items to multiple positions.
• Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer.

EEOC Statement

We recognize that a successful candidate will meet many of the requirements in this job description, but some may only meet some of the qualifications. We encourage applicants to apply if much of this job description describes them.

As part of our commitment to a diverse, equitable, inclusive and belonging workplace, we invest in building teams with various backgrounds, identities, and experiences. The Frye is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, sex, religion, age, marital or veteran status, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, or any other basis prohibited by local, state, or federal law.