Part-Time Registrar & Assistant Curator

The Part-Time Registrar & Assistant Curator supports the Executive Director in all aspects of collections stewardship, exhibitions management, curatorial research, and institutional organization. This position maintains and elevates the professional standards of the Arkell Museum’s permanent collection, long-term loans, temporary exhibitions, and special projects.

 

The role is simultaneously operations-forward and research-driven, requiring excellence in documentation, communication, workflow management, and cross-departmental collaboration. The Registrar & Assistant Curator also plays an important bridge role between the Museum and Library, particularly in areas involving special collections, archives, research accessibility, and institutional data gathering.

 

The ideal candidate is meticulous, proactive, technologically fluent, and committed to the values of responsible stewardship, public access, and the organization’s growing strategic vision.

 

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Collections Management & Registration (Core Duty)

• Maintain, update, and standardize all object records in Past Perfect, including catalog data, provenance, condition, photography, and storage locations.
• Conduct recurring inventories and location reconciliations to uphold strict collection control.
• Lead the cleanup and reconciliation of legacy records, numbering inconsistencies, and physical storage documentation.
• Manage all incoming and outgoing loans: agreements, insurance certificates, condition reports, transport scheduling, and compliance with best practices.
• Maintain and organize the digital archive: object files, images, internal documents, and registration records.

 

Exhibition Logistics, Scheduling & Support

• Assist the Executive Director and Lead Curator in all aspects of exhibition planning, including timelines, checklist development, budget monitoring, scheduling, and logistics.
• Manage, update, and maintain the institutional Gantt chart: timeline coordination, exhibition milestones, curator/artist deadlines, and departmental task alignment.
• Coordinate with artists, lenders, and shippers regarding deliveries, transport, packing needs, and artwork requirements.
• Draft labels, wall texts, didactics, layouts, and exhibition packets.

Exhibition Logistics, Scheduling & Support Continued

• Provide hands-on support for installation and deinstallation with museum-grade handling standards.
• Track all loan arrangements, contracts, and scheduling components related to the exhibition pipeline.

 

Curatorial Research & Interpretation

• Conduct research for exhibitions, permanent collection interpretation, provenance, and contextual historical narratives.
• Assist with drafting interpretive materials including:
  • gallery labels
  • extended texts
  • brochures
  • catalog essays
  • educational guides
• Support thematic initiatives related to American art, representational realism, narrative art, and ongoing strategic exhibition projects.

 

Donor, Lender & Artist Relations

• Prepare and maintain professional correspondence, checklists, condition reports, and logistics documents for collectors, donors, institutions, and artists.
• Support Executive Director in maintaining long-term loan relationships, new acquisition inquiries, and donor cultivation related to the permanent collection.
• Uphold consistent, proactive communication throughout the exhibition cycle.

 

Storage, Conservation & Preventive Care

• Monitor environmental conditions (temperature, humidity) and assist in recommending improvements.
• Track artwork needs for conservation, cleaning, or stabilization and coordinate with conservators.
• Maintain storage at museum standards: rehousing, labeling, packing, and organization.
• Assist with planning for future storage upgrades and collection expansion.

 

Cross-Departmental Responsibilities

• Support for Library Special Collections, Archives & Accessibility
• Collaborate with the Library to enhance access to special collections, archival materials, and research documents.
• Assist in preparing documents, images, and research files for public accessibility through digitization, descriptions, and cataloging.
• Strengthen cross-departmental workflows to ensure unified standards across Museum and Library collections.

 

Library Metrics, Data Analysis & Best Practices

• Assist the Library in developing data collection metrics related to program use, research requests, and public engagement.
• Help refine internal workflows and best practices that strengthen long-term reporting, grant readiness, and operational alignment.

 

Secondary Responsibilities

• Support catalog photography, digitization, and condition documentation initiatives.
• Assist during public events, private tours, openings, and donor/VIP visits.
• Provide backup support to the Communications and Development teams as needed for exhibition-related materials.
• Support collaborative institutional projects that intersect with exhibitions, archives, or community collections.

 

Desirable Education and Experience

• Experience in museum registration, archives, or curatorial practice.
• Proficiency with Past Perfect or similar collections management systems.
• Strong organizational skills, exceptional attention to detail, and an ability to manage multiple deadlines.
• Excellent writing, research, and communication abilities.
• Experience handling artworks safely with proper technique and training.
• High level of discretion and professionalism with confidential information.

 

Preferred Attributes for Success

• Background in American art, historical collections, or representational/narrative art.
• Familiarity with exhibition planning, installation, shipping, or conservation processes.
• Experience with archives, libraries, digitization, or special collections.
• Photography, Photoshop, or digital imaging skills.
• Ability to lift and move artworks safely (with training and equipment).
• Integrity and strong ethical standards surrounding collections stewardship.
• Calm, focused decision-making in complex or high-pressure situations.
• Adaptability within a dynamic institution undergoing strategic growth.
• Collaborative mindset and willingness to support multiple departments.
• Intellectual curiosity and enthusiasm for strengthening the Museum–Library ecosystem.

 

Compensation

• Hourly rate ($20/Hr.), commensurate with experience.
• Part-time schedule (20 Hr./ Week), flexible within Museum hours.
• Museum store discounts, professional development opportunities, and access to collections-care training.

 

The Canajoharie Library & Arkell Museum is an equal opportunity employer, and we do not discriminate based upon age, race, creed, color national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, military or veteran status, sex, disability (including pregnancy-related conditions), predisposing genetic characteristics, familial status, marital status or status as a victim of domestic violence, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.