Assistant Registrar, Collection Management; Term

Job Summary

Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) seeks a two (2) year term Assistant Registrar, Collection Management to join the RISD Museum.

This position supports the Museum’s strategic plan by contributing to a more responsible and efficient use of RISD resources and a transformation of collection spaces by assisting with the design and implementation of the Museum’s first bar coding system for collections in conjunction with an inventory of multiple storage locations holding over 60,000 objects across various curatorial departments (Asian Art, Contemporary Art, Costume and Textiles, Decorative Arts and Design, and Painting and Sculpture).

This grant‑funded, term‑based position will work under the Associate Registrar for Collection Management and in conjunction with other staff to improve overall control of the Museum’s collection, easing their future movement and use in displays, educational activities, and through digital platforms.

The successful candidate will thrive in a campus environment that is committed to advancing the principles of social equity and inclusion, environmental and climate justice, and equal access to resources and opportunities.

The RISD Museum acquires, preserves, exhibits, and interprets works of art and design representing diverse cultures from ancient times to the present. Distinguished by its relationship to Rhode Island School of Design, the Museum educates and inspires artists, designers, students, scholars, and the public through exhibitions, programs, and publications. The RISD Museum is committed to building a diverse and inclusive community where members from all backgrounds can learn and create.

With the goal of increasing the diversity of the museum profession, we aspire to create a climate that recognizes and values diversity as central to excellence.

• Assist with the inventory of Museum collections, including but not limited to working in storage and the Museum’s collection management database (Museum Plus) to confirm/update locations, identify items found in collection, create new storage locations when necessary, and document collections. Maintain the schedule of inter‑departmental activities related to the inventory. Collaborate with registration and other collection staff on documenting and addressing any storage or condition issues found during the inventory process.
• As part of and in conjunction with the inventory process, work with other collection staff to plan, design, and implement the barcoding system, including such duties as assessing storage areas and ensuring all locations are properly identified, tagging and scanning objects, coordinating object movement with Museum installation staff, identifying any technical issues and communicating them to the Registrar, Collection Information, in a clear and efficient manner.
  
  May involve participation in meetings or communication with the Museum’s software vendors.
• Train Museum staff, temporary workers, interns, and others as needed in the barcoding system and collection location management.
• Work with the Associate Registrar, Collection Management, to track progress of the inventory and barcoding project, providing reports to the Head Registrar, and plan and implement any necessary project adjustments.
• Coordinate with curators and registrars to prepare unidentified or source unknown objects documented through the inventory process for listing with the Rhode Island Division of Unclaimed Property, and research and resolve old or orphaned loans. Draft correspondence related to legal questions involving old or orphaned loans and unclaimed property inquiries.
• Coordinate the movement of collections within RISD and RISD‑controlled spaces in accordance with Museum standards and under the direction of the Associate Registrar, Collection Management.
• Manage the storage intake of new acquisitions within the barcoding system, including determining appropriate storage locations and their proper entry into the new location tracking.
• Take reference images of objects according to Museum standards and coordinate the delivery of image files to the Associate Registrar, Digital Resources.