Visual Arts

Assistant Registrar  

Department: Exhibitions & Collections

Reports to: Senior Curator

Direct Reports: None

Status: Part-time (three days / up to 24 hours per week), hourly non-exempt

Pay scale: $22 – 27/hr

About Corita Art Center (CAC):  

Corita Art Center preserves and promotes Corita Kent’s art, teaching, and passion for social justice. Housing the most comprehensive collection of Corita’s serigraphs, watercolors, graphic commissions, and archival materials, Corita Art Center supports exhibition loans and public programs, oversees image and merchandising rights, sells original prints, and serves as a scholarly resource for her life and work.

Position Summary 

Under the general direction of Corita Art Center’s Senior Curator, the Assistant Registrar will work alongside CAC team members to provide administrative, logistical, and registrarial support for CAC’s exhibition, publication, and curatorial program initiatives.

Principal Responsibilities (Essential Functions) 

Exhibitions & Collections

●      Actively collaborates with key organizational stakeholders, as well as contractors, on-call staff, and organizational partners to implement best practices for the care and loan of collections

●      Supports all aspects of CAC’s exhibitions and loan programs, including booking CAC’s primary touring exhibition, heroes and sheroes; drafts loan agreements for internal review; conducts condition reports; and maintains the accuracy of exhibition and loan files. 

●      Purchases relevant collections care materials and supplies, with cost approval of Senior Curator

●      Supports with the management of art and collections materials stored at off-site fine arts storage facilities

●      Responds to external exhibition and collections inquiries, in consultation with the Senior Curator

●      Provides registration support for loans and exhibitions, including but not limited to: receiving/releasing shipments, object condition reporting, drafting loan agreements and receipts, coordinating staff and lender courier travel, and coordinating packing/shipping logistics for loans

●      Coordinates meetings throughout all stages of assigned exhibition and loan projects

●      Assists with maintaining external partnerships such as fine art shippers, agents, colleagues from other institutions, auction houses and galleries, artists, contract conservators, art handlers, or other vendors

●      Communicates with CAC’s insurance and customs brokers; drafts correspondence, COIs, and claims for review, as needed

●      Supports the internal processing of art/archival donations and acquisitions; drafts donation and gift paperwork; maintains accurate records and object files in CAC’s internal collection management system as well as CAC’s public databases online; updates content frequently and with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail

Curatorial & Publications

●      Supports Senior Curator with research, correspondence, and administrative tasks related to forthcoming exhibitions; assists with the cataloging and digitization of images as needed

●      Assists with updating all internal biographical and historical records on Corita Kent, including exhibition histories, institutional collections, press, and other relevant information 

●      Supports Senior Curator with research related to exhibitions and publications, such as the catalogue raisonné on the serigraphs of Corita Kent

●      Supports Senior Curator with image requests and publication inquiries related to CAC collections

Additional Responsibilities 

●      Performs general administrative duties such as filing, copying, running errands, and general data entry as it relates to marketing, education, programming, and website

●      Completes special projects and basic research as assigned  

●      Completes all other duties as assigned within the scope of responsibility and skill required for the job

The duties of this position are subject to change and may be modified based on the needs of the business.

Qualifications 

Minimum Education, Training, and Traits: 

●      BA in studio art or art history preferred; related work experience welcomed

●      At least one (1) year of work experience in an art museum, commercial gallery, or collections-centered organization required; two (2) to three (3) years of experience welcomed

●      Basic familiarity with best practices in museum registration methods and techniques, especially in the areas of condition reports, loans, and exhibitions (including touring exhibitions)

●      Basic familiarity with and interest in archival principles, concepts, and procedures, including data entry and metadata

●      Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to compose succinct and accurate business correspondence

●      Critical thinker who is highly organized and possesses strong analytical skills. 

●      Comfortable working in a lean but efficient team

●      Knowledge and understanding of art history, design history, and arts education

●      Highly attentive to detail and able to work collaboratively

●      Basic knowledge of proper art handling and basic conservation concepts, procedures, and terms;

●      Interest in visual art is required

Licenses and Certifications: 

●      Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record ideal 

●      Valid work authorization in the U.S.

Skills and Abilities: 

●      Proficiency in the use of MS Office software including: Outlook, Word, Excel 

●      Familiarity with current trends, issues, and best practices in the field of the visual arts 

●      Basic knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite including Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, and other graphic design software welcomed

●      Basic knowledge of image and digital asset management

●      Strong written and verbal communication skills 

●      Must have excellent attendance and punctuality 

●      Strong organizational skills and analytical skills 

●      Ability to exercise discretion and independent judgment 

●      Ability to multi-task and think critically 

●      Ability to work independently, meet deadlines with minimal supervision 

Benefits

Following a waiting period, part-time regular employees of Corita Art Center are currently eligible for the following benefits:  

–       Paid holidays (11 days annually)

–       Paid winter closure (8-10 days in late December / early January)

–       Paid floating holiday (1 annually)

–       Paid sick & wellness leave (9 days annually)

–       Paid bereavement leave (3 days annually)

–       Paid jury duty leave (3 days annually)

–       Vacation time (unpaid, starting at 10 days annually)

–       Parental leave (unpaid, up to 12 weeks)

–       Child / dependent care leave (unpaid, up to 40 hours annually)

–       401(k) retirement plan (no employer match, includes financial coaching; socially responsible investment options; student loan management support; 529 savings plan)

–       Pre-tax debit card for commuter costs, flexible spending account (FSA), and/or dependent care spending account (DCA) (no employer match)

–       Flexible work hours

–       Mileage & home office cost reimbursements

–       Annual cost-of-living wage increases (contingent on budget approval)

Physical Demands and Work Environment 

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here represent those that an employee must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  

●             Physical Demands:  In the work environment described herein, the position requires good eye/hand coordination and working at a desk and utilizing a computer for prolonged periods of time. The position also requires verbal and written conversation with others, standing, climbing, walking, bending, reaching, and lifting/moving objects up to 25 pounds. Vision abilities required by the job include close vision.

●               Work Environment:  Work will be performed in a hybrid model, an at-home environment, with the majority of days required at CAC offices. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate. Work requires occasional independent travel to and from off-site meetings and events. Occasional weekend, evening, and night work hours are also required. CAC wants to ensure the health and safety of all workers in the workplace and therefore follows local orders, state regulations, and guidance from government agencies like the CDC, OSHA, EEOC, and local health authorities.  

●               Employees are required to complete a criminal background check. This position may interface with the public with all precautions and considerations to address COVID-19. The health and safety of all is our primary goal and consideration. All precautions and protocols will meet LA County requirements. 

To Apply: 

Please submit the following application materials to apply@corita.org with the title of the job in the subject line. 

1. RESUME 

2. COVER LETTER

Interviews will be conducted via videoconference or in-person. Final candidates will be required to submit work references. Due to the volume of resumes that we receive, we are regretfully unable to respond to phone calls and emails regarding the status of applications and the recruiting process. 

Corita Art Center is an equal opportunity employer. We will extend equal opportunity to all individuals without regard to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, military status, veteran status or any other status protected under applicable federal, state or local laws.  

Research shows that women and individuals from underrepresented backgrounds often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We recognize that it is highly unlikely that an applicant meets 100% of the qualifications for a given role. Therefore, if much of this job description describes you, then you are highly encouraged to apply for this role.