The Art Gallery at NYUAD, set to open on Saadiyat in 2014, will present an ambitious program of museum-quality, contemporary and historical, art exhibitions from around the world. The founding registrar for the art gallery will develop and implement museum-quality practices in the gallery, as it pertains to the care, handling, and logistical oversight of art under the gallery’s care.
The registrar is the authority on all concerns related to the physical movement and conservation of art objects, both on loan to the gallery and across the campus art collections. The registrar oversees a team of professionals that includes art handlers, conservators, preparators, and technicians. The registrar is responsible for the detailed record keeping, conservation, and logistics that allow for safe and timely presentation of fine art in the NYU Abu Dhabi Art Gallery, conforming to industry best-practice standards for risk management. This position will enable and manage professional lending relationships with major museums.
Key responsibilities
–Develop and implement gallery systems, both physical and digital practices, for managing all logistical, insurance, and conservation aspects of loans of art to NYUAD from museums and other lenders.
–Ensure adoption of best practices, by museum standards, including record keeping, condition reporting, location tracking, and conservation management. Ensure that all procedures and contact with art conform to insurance regulations for art loans.
–Observe unpacking of objects arriving on premises to determine that damage has not occurred. Oversee handling, packing, movement and inspection of all objects entering and leaving the establishment.
–Register and assigns accession and catalog numbers to all objects in campus and gallery art collections according to established registration system. Maintain records of storage, exhibit and loan locations of all objects in collection for use of establishment personnel, insurance representatives and other persons utilizing facilities. Compose concise description of objects and records descriptions for database.
–Consult on and oversee physical build-out and set up of gallery in preparation for loans of high-value artwork.
Education requirements (essential)
–Bachelor degree in a relevant discipline from a recognised college or university
Education requirements (desirable)
–Master’s degree in museum studies, museum practices or equivalent qualification from a recognised college or university
Experience requirements (essential)
–Minimum five years relevant experience or equivalent combination of education and experience
–Experience working in collecting and lending institutions such as museums; experience with registrarial projects in the Gulf will be of special relevance
–Sophisticated understanding of and experience with art collection management and museum industry best-practices as they pertain to fine art and material culture from contemporary and historical periods
–Ability to work effectively with mixed teams of consultants, technicians, and artists, under tight deadlines
–Experienced professional services skills; must have high-level written and verbal communication skills and strong organisational and multi-tasking skills
–Creative mind-set and highly detail-oriented with demonstrated ability to interact with multiple constituencies, including internal and external to NYU and NYUAD
Experience requirements (desirable)
–Experience with the registrarial challenges of the Middle East region
–Previous experience within university or college museums
Other information
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced museum registrar to join NYU Abu Dhabi, in addition to excellent salary and benefits provided as part of a highly competitive compensation package.
To apply
Please visit the job posting on NYUAD’s website: nyuad.nyu.edu/about/careers.
