Key Accountabilities:
Role Purpose: The Registrar is a pivotal member of the Exhibitions section, responsible for the coordination and oversight of all aspects related to the documentation, movement, and care of artworks and objects. This includes loan management, acquisitions, customs and insurance documentation, condition reporting, and monitoring environmental and storage conditions. The Registrar ensures that all objects are handled, stored, and transported in accordance with international museum standards, supporting the institution’s mission to uphold the highest level of care, security, and professionalism.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Maintain and manage accurate and comprehensive records of all objects, including accessioning, cataloguing, provenance, condition, and location using approved collection management systems (e.g., TMS, EMu).
- Coordinate the safe and efficient transport, packing, unpacking, and installation of artworks for exhibitions and loans, in compliance with museum standards and international regulations.
- Liaise with internal departments, lending institutions, artists, galleries, and external partners to ensure smooth logistical operations.
- Oversee customs documentation, duty exemptions, permits, and import/export regulations with local and international customs agents and authorities.
- Administer insurance policies for artworks, manage indemnity applications, and maintain records related to risk assessment and incident reports.
- Supervise and ensure correct handling, storage, and environmental conditions for objects in the collection and on loan.
- Monitor and document climate and environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, lighting) of storage and display areas regularly to ensure they meet conservation standards.
- Report climate irregularities and work with conservation and facilities teams to implement corrective actions as necessary.
- Prepare comprehensive facility reports for lenders, ensuring accuracy of information related to environmental controls, security, fire protection, and building infrastructure.
- Conduct and oversee condition reporting and photographic documentation during art handling.
- Develop, review, and enforce policies, procedures, and workflows for collections and loans management.
- Maintain high ethical standards in line with the International Council of Museums (ICOM) Code of Ethics.
- Provide training and support for curatorial, exhibition, and collections staff in registration procedures and object handling.
- Support the development of exhibitions by managing incoming/outgoing loan documentation, loan agreements, lender requirements, and insurance certificates.
- Monitor, update, and control the object locations database and ensure collection movements are logged in real time.
- Ensure compliance with conservation guidelines and collaborate with conservation professionals as needed.
- Strong contract negotiation and administrative skills.
- Proficiency in preparing and managing loan agreements and insurance documentation.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English; Arabic is an asset.
- Understanding of cultural sensitivities and international protocols related to handling artworks, especially in the context of the Middle East.
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams and external stakeholders.
Qualifications/Requirements:
- Minimum of 3 – 5 years’ experience in a registrar or collections management role in a museum, gallery, or cultural institution, ideally in the Middle East or international museum environment.
- Fluency in English, Arabic desirable.
- Bachelor’s degree in museum studies, Art History, Archaeology, Cultural Heritage Management, or related field.
- In-depth knowledge of collection management systems (e.g., TMS, EMu).
- Experience in logistics, international art shipping, and customs clearance.
- Familiarity with best practices in art handling, storage, preventive conservation, and object documentation.
- Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to prioritize multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong contract negotiation and administrative skills.
- Proficiency in preparing and managing loan agreements and insurance documentation.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English; Arabic is an asset.
- Understanding of cultural sensitivities and international protocols related to handling artworks, especially in the context of the Middle East.
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams and external stakeholders.
- Working knowledge of international museum standards (e.g., AAM, ICOM, ICCROM).
- Knowledge of cultural property laws, provenance research, and ethical collecting practices.
- Experience working with modern and contemporary art, as well as heritage and archaeological collections.
- Project management certification or training is a plus.
- Ability to travel domestically and internationally as required.
- Competence in digitization practices and metadata standards.