Overview
Museum Registrar Jobs in Wyomissing, PA at Foundation for the Reading Public Museum
The Reading Public Museum is seeking a detail-oriented, hands-on Preparator & Registrar to join its Curatorial Department. The Museum maintains 14 permanent galleries, presents more than 10 temporary exhibitions annually, and offers seven touring exhibitions to museums nationwide.
This position combines exhibition installation and maintenance with collections registration responsibilities. The successful candidate will be a collaborative team member who can effectively balance gallery, workshop, collections, and administrative projects while meeting deadlines and maintaining professional museum standards.
Key Responsibilities
- Exhibition Preparation and Gallery Maintenance
- Install and deinstall individual objects, temporary exhibitions, and permanent galleries.
- Adjust gallery lighting using a Genie lift.
- Mount and cut labels, paint galleries, and frame artwork.
- Design and fabricate custom object mounts.
- Coordinate rotations within permanent galleries, including:
- North American Indian Gallery exhibitions and textiles
- Pennsylvania German Gallery fraktur and coverlets
- Works on paper displayed throughout the Museum
- Conduct daily gallery checks.
- Perform quarterly gallery maintenance, including cleaning objects and platforms.
- Wax outdoor sculptures twice annually.
- Coordinate with the Buildings & Grounds Department on major gallery renovations.
- Troubleshoot gallery technology and work with vendors to resolve issues promptly.
- Accession, catalog, and house objects according to Museum standards.
- Enter and maintain accession and location information in The Museum System (TMS).
- Ensure object locations are accurate while items are in storage, on display, or in transit.
- Respond to loan requests and coordinate the preparation of outgoing loans.
- Maintain loan agreements, condition reports, and insurance documentation for works loaned to the Museum.
- Coordinate incoming and outgoing art shipments.
- Process gift and acquisition paperwork.
- Manage rights and reproduction requests.
- Pack artwork and complete condition reports for outgoing touring exhibitions.
- Serve as a courier for exhibitions and loans when required. Travel is anticipated approximately twice every three months.
- Coordinate incoming and outgoing touring exhibition shipments.
- Design, build, and retrofit crates in collaboration with the Director of Collections & Exhibitions.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in museum studies or a related field.
- At least three years of museum experience as a preparator, registrar, or in a comparable role.
- Demonstrated experience handling, installing, packing, and transporting artwork and collection objects.
- Experience entering and maintaining data in a collections management system, such as TMS or PastPerfect.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
- Strong communication, planning, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and complete assignments on schedule.
- Ability to follow direction and collaborate effectively with colleagues, vendors, and institutional partners.
- Ability to lift more than 50 pounds safely.
- Ability or willingness to operate a 26-foot box truck, Genie lift, and forklift, as required.
- Valid driver’s license and ability to travel, including occasional overnight travel, as required.
Join us as a Museum Registrar and play a vital role in preserving our shared cultural heritage while engaging diverse audiences through innovative programs!
Pay: $40,000.00 – $42,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
Work Location: In person
Title: Museum Registrar
Company: Foundation for the Reading Public Museum
Location: Wyomissing, PA
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