Exhibitions Registrar

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Job Title:

Exhibitions Registrar

Department:

Libraries | Special Collections and Area Studies

The Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum (BICLM) holds the world's largest collection of comics and cartoon materials. Its current facility on OSU's campus opened in 2013 and includes a free museum with four exhibition galleries, open six days per week. BICLM seeks an Exhibitions Registrar to join its Exhibitions team. Reporting to the BICLM Museum Coordinator, the Exhibitions Registrar oversees the administration and logistical coordination of all incoming and outgoing loans to BICLM.

Under the direction of the Museum Coordinator, the Exhibitions Registrar coordinates the BICLM traveling exhibitions program, including bookings, venue relationships, schedules, agreements, exhibition fees, shipping cycles, records, and transitions from one venue to the next. The position serves as the BICLM contact for borrowing institutions and other external partners regarding traveling exhibition logistics, escalating decisions to the Museum Coordinator as appropriate.

This position also coordinates registration and logistics for individual incoming loans to BICLM and outgoing loans of BICLM collection materials to other institutions, in collaboration with the Collections Curator. Responsibilities include loan documentation, condition reporting, insurance, transportation, packing and crating, shipping, object movement, and communication with lenders, borrowers, vendors, and other partners.

For BICLM’s in-house exhibitions, the Exhibitions Registrar maintains object checklists, location records, loan and condition documentation, and other registration records. The position may assist with exhibition preparation and installation as assigned, including artwork handling, matting, mounting, framing, installation, and deinstallation. The position maintains registrar files, checklists and database updates; coordinates purchasing and vendor payments related to assigned projects; and advises on best practices for artwork handling and transportation. This position collaborates with the Museum Coordinator, curators, preparators, collection staff, conservation and preservation staff and other colleagues to support the safe and well-documented movement and care of artwork.

Responsibilities 

• Coordinate the administration and logistical coordination of the BICLM traveling exhibitions program, including serving as contact for borrowing institutions and other external partners, marketing individual traveling exhibits, securing bookings, managing venue relationships, schedules, agreements, budgets, exhibition fees, shipping cycles, records, and transitions between venues, escalating decisions to the Museum Coordinator as appropriate.
• Coordinate incoming loans to BICLM and outgoing loans of BICLM special collections materials, including agreements, condition reports, receipts, insurance, transportation, shipping, and related documentation. Maintain exhibition checklists, object locations, loan records, condition documentation, and registrar files in appropriate databases and information management systems.
• Collaborate with curators, the Museum Coordinator, preparators, collection staff, conservation and preservation staff, Facilities, Security, and other university personnel.
• Assist with exhibition preparation and installation as assigned, including artwork handling, matting, mounting, framing, installation, deinstallation, and repacking.
• Establish and nurture strong working relationships with museum staff, colleagues from other institutions, consultants, and vendors.
• Coordinate purchasing, vendor estimates, invoices, exhibition fees, and related project expenses.
• Serve as fine art courier when required. Some driving and travel may be required.
• Attend exhibition and operations meetings.
• Assist with maintaining gallery, preparation, and storage spaces.
• Occasional evening and weekend hours may be required.

University Libraries’ faculty and staff embrace Ohio State’s Shared Values and strive to enact the behaviors guided by those values in all that we do. This position is dedicated to advancing the culture of University Libraries and the work of the Special Collections and Area Studies unit. All other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in art, art history, museum studies, arts administration, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience. 
• Minimum two years of related experience working in registration, exhibitions, collections management, or curatorial operations, archives or a related museum or gallery setting. 
• Demonstrated knowledge of best practices in museum registration and collections management, including the handling, care, preservation, installation, and storage of art, registration methods, electronic collection records, special exhibitions and loan administration, and fine arts insurance. 
• Experience coordinating multiple projects, schedules, deadlines, or logistical activities with accuracy and attention to detail.
• Knowledge and experience working in Microsoft Office 365 suite and collections management systems, preferably PastPerfect.
• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and communication skills.

Desired:

• Experience administering or coordinating traveling exhibitions or other multi-venue cultural projects.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, exercise sound judgment, and manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Experience with coordinating incoming and outgoing loans, loan agreements, condition reporting, exhibition checklists, fine arts insurance, museum registrar files, and coordinating packing and shipping.
• Experience tracking project expenses, obtaining vendor estimates, coordinating purchasing, processing invoices, and maintaining project budgets.
• Knowledge and experience working in Airtable and Adobe Creative Suite, including Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign 
• Experience with artwork preparation or installation, including matting, mounting, and framing.
• Excellent project management skills and attention to detail 
• Self-motivated, resourceful, and flexible; creativity in analyzing and solving problems. 
• Ability to work successfully with others and to communicate complex matters to diverse audiences in an effective manner 
• Knowledge of comics and cartoon art or demonstrated interest in the field.

Additional Information:

The posting range for this position is $44,900-$58,250.

Please submit cover letter and resume with the online application.

Ohio State will not sponsor applicants for work visas for this position.

Function: Library and Museum

Sub-Function: Museum Registrar

Career Band: Individual Contributor - Specialized

Career Level: S2

About The Ohio State University Libraries

The Libraries promotes innovative research and creative expression, advances effective teaching, curates and preserves information essential for scholarship and learning at Ohio State, and shares knowledge and culture with the people of Ohio, the nation, and the world.

The Libraries’ greatest resource is our faculty and staff. Their expertise produces value beyond the collections and their commitment to continual improvement and innovation is one of the most significant ways the Libraries meets the varied and evolving information needs of university students, faculty, and staff, alongside scholars throughout Ohio and the world.

As a global leader, the Libraries is actively engaged in local, statewide, national, and international initiatives to help shape the future of academic research libraries. These activities and the innovations that result enhance our ability to acquire, manage, and preserve emerging information resources, support knowledge creation, and enable its effective transmission to future learners. Learn more on the Libraries website.

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Location:

Sullivant Hall (0106)

Position Type:

Regular

Scheduled Hours:

40

Shift:

First Shift

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