Registrar

Job Title:           Registrar 

Department:      Registration

Classification:   Full-time/Exempt 

Reports to:        Chief Curator 

Manages:          Part-time Registration Technician, Collection Volunteers, Interns

Date:                July 2025

Position Summary

The Registrar ensures the care, documentation, movement, and legal stewardship of the Kemper Museum’s growing collection of 1,500+ objects, along with the planning and execution of all registration activities related to exhibitions, installations, and loans. Working closely with the curators, the Exhibitions Manager, Facilities, and other departments, the Registrar plays a critical role in upholding museum standards, coordinating art logistics, and preserving the long-term integrity of the collection across all Kemper sites. This position balances hands-on collection care with administrative oversight and project management, in service to the Museum’s mission and values. 

We know that skills and experience come in many forms. If you’re excited about this role and believe your background has prepared you in different ways, even if you don’t meet every qualification, we encourage you to apply, especially if your perspective or background is underrepresented in the field, or shaped by non-traditional paths. 

Key Areas of Responsibility 

Collections Stewardship

The Registrar leads the care, storage, documentation, and movement of the Museum’s collection, ensuring accurate records and ethical practices. Responsibilities include maintaining the collection management system, coordinating acquisitions and cataloguing, overseeing inventories and condition assessments, and working with conservators to assess and treat artworks. The Registrar also manages rights and reproduction and ensures compliance with copyright, donor agreements, and legal standards, including NAGPRA and IRS guidelines. 

Exhibitions and Loans

From concept through deinstallation, this position manages all registration duties related to incoming and outgoing loans, exhibitions, and collection rotations. This includes coordinating agreements with lenders, shipping, insurance, storage, condition reports, and loan documentation, as well as developing and monitoring exhibition-related budgets in collaboration with curatorial staff. The Registrar also prepares and submits indemnity applications and other required legal or government documentation. 

Standards, Facilities, and Risk Management

The Registrar helps ensure compliance with museum accreditation standards, environmental monitoring, and emergency preparedness planning. Working with Facilities and Operations, this includes maintaining the museum’s facility reports, coordinating response plans, and ensuring alignment with institutional policies and professional ethics. 

Team Coordination and Collaboration

The Registrar hires and supervise a part-time technician, interns, volunteers, and contract conservators (as needed) while working closely with colleagues across departments. They contribute to strategic planning, reaccreditation processes, forecast collections-related needs, and support museum-wide projects. The role also requires fostering professional relationships with lenders, donors, artists, external vendors, museum professionals, maintaining clear and consistent communication. 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in art history, museum studies, or a related field. 
• 5+ years of experience in museum registration, collections management, and exhibition coordination. 
• Demonstrated expertise of art handling, storage, transportation, documentation best practices. 
• Proficiency with collection management systems and digital asset organization and workflows. 
• Familiarity with legal, ethical, and institutional policies government museum collections.
• Demonstrated ability to manage projects, timelines, and collaborative workflows. 
• Supervisory and collaborative experience. 
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and analytical skills. 
• Commitment to culturally responsive and inclusive museum practices.  

Core Competencies

• Accountability & Accuracy: Maintains clear, consistent, and accessible records. 
• Communication: Communicates clearly and diplomatically across multiple teams.  
• Adaptability & Flexibility: Navigates changing priorities with resilience and creativity. 
• Collaboration: Values teamwork and contributes positively to work culture. 
• Professionalism: Exercises discretion, judgment, and integrity in all duties.  

Physical Requirements 

• Ability to lift up to 40 lbs., bend, reach, and handle artworks safely. 
• Visual acuity for condition reporting and documentation tasks.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods during installations and related projects.  
• Occasional travel as an art courier or reprehensive of the museum. 

Additional Notes

This position occasionally requires evening or weekend hours related to installations, art shipments, or events. The Registrar may also travel to oversee object handling and transport.