Careers & Opportunities

POSITION SUMMARY:

First Americans Museum (FAM) seeks a highly organized candidate with excellent collections care skills for the position of Collections Manager/Registrar. This position is a critical role within the functions of the Curatorial Department. The Collections Manager/Registrar is responsible for the general care of the museum’s permanent and borrowed collections, including storage, maintenance, record keeping, database administration and coordinating with exhibition installations. Collections Manager/Registrar performs museum related collections registration and management tasks and is responsible for handling and managing all museum loan-related business on outgoing and incoming art objects and collections, both domestically and internationally. In addition, the Collections Manager/Registrar performs administrative tasks in support of the department and administration. Fundamental to this position is working proactively and balancing multiple tasks. Strong administrative skills, attention to detail, excellent communication skills and a strong work ethic are essential. This position contributes to the institution’s commitment to working with the tribal nations and communities in Oklahoma. Opportunities for travel and professional development. This role includes weekend and occasional evening duties. The Collections Manager/Registrar reports directly to the Director of Curatorial Affairs.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Manage all aspects of collection care, following and implementing accepted museum professional standards and practices;
• Create and maintain the Collection Management System;
• Respect for cultural origins and the cultural integrity of objects and their uses;
• Documentation and processing of new accessions, research documentation for deaccessioning, and arrange for collections appraisals as needed;
• Serve on (as an ad-hoc non-voting member) and coordinate the AICCF Collections and Acquisitions Committee, and process paperwork for all new museum acquisitions;
• Coordinate and manage documentation for deeds of gift, bequests, and donations;
• Conduct and maintain periodic physical inventory of the collection;
• Prepare letters for loan negotiations and loan agreement forms;
• Plan/coordinate all loans (lending and receiving), including the facilitation of relevant loan arrangements, insurance, logistics of packing and shipping, object condition evaluation, incoming courier arrangements (transit, housing, per diem), and customs/immunity from seizure;
• Conduct, organize, and complete condition reports;
• Participate in contractor supervision and courier trips;
• Correspond with AICCF legal counsel regarding insurance-related information;
• Manage and negotiate copyright licenses and permissions for publications, publicity, marketing, catalogues, websites, e-communications, etc.;
• Participate in security audits, including check of security camera functioning;
• Monitor environmental conditions in all Museum spaces including light, humidity, pest, and air quality, and correspond with Facilities concerning problems and/or treatments;
• Responsible for ensuring compliance with laws and regulations pertaining to collections and collecting activities;
• Accompany pest inspector and record findings on report sheets;
• Correspond with conservators as needed;
• Receive/review and maintain and provide templates and instruction manual for daily Gallery Attendant/ Security Officer reports;
• Assist with other collections management projects as needed, especially with installation and dismantling of exhibitions;
• Responsible for best practices in fiscal management of departmental funds;
• Participate in the research and development of museum exhibitions;
• Participate in the preparation of and writing grant applications supporting the care and interpretation of the collection;
• Oversee volunteers and interns working in the collections;
• Establish community links and partnerships, and represents the museum locally, regionally, and nationally, relative to museum goals, and as are deemed appropriate to areas of responsibility;
• Other duties as assigned by the Director, Curatorial Affairs, or FAM Executive Director.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in art, art history, or museum studies, arts administration, collection management preferred.
• 3-5 years’ experience in collections management or registration in an art or anthropology museum and a thorough knowledge of best practices in collections care, conservation, insurance, object handing and museum legal and ethical issues.
• Proven expertise in care, transportation of and record keeping of works of art.
• Demonstrated expertise in collections management database software besides the regular Microsoft Office and other database and systems software.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Graduate degree in art, art history, or museum studies, arts administration, collection management preferred.
• Exceptional attention to detail and organization.
• Extensive knowledge of and experience with collections management database software (Pastperfect or TMS preferred).
• Comfortable working on both Windows and Mac platforms.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and flexibility.
• Familiarity with Native American cultures, protocols, and materials.

Physical Requirements:

Dexterity enough to use a keyboard and telephone; occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling up to 50 pounds; may be subject to extended periods of walking, standing, sitting, reaching, balancing, bending, kneeling, handling, feeling, climbing, and twisting; and vision, speech, and hearing sufficient to perform the essential tasks. Ability to travel outside the Oklahoma City vicinity from time to time via automobile and/or airplane.