Museum Registrar

Who We Are:

Founded in 1891 by a group of visionary volunteers, The Trustees of Reservations (The Trustees) is Massachusetts’ premier conservation and preservation organization. The Trustees’ preserves, for public use and enjoyment, properties of exceptional scenic, historic, and ecological value in Massachusetts. Our properties are open to all, and we thrive by involving as many people as possible in all that we do. We aim to protect special places for future generations to enjoy in perpetuity, and have helped protect more than 50,000 acres, including 27,000+ acres on more than 120 reservations that are open to the public. As a non-profit conservation organization, we are funded and supported entirely by our visitors, supporters, volunteers, and our 85,000 Member households. We encourage you to learn more about The Trustees on our website, www.thetrustees.org.

Posting Information:

As the Registrar, deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum, you will support exhibitions, outdoor commissions, and the permanent collection at deCordova and occasionally other sites within The Trustees’ network. In this role, you will be responsible for the implementation and maintenance of registration procedures for outdoor sculpture and exhibitions. You will also oversee the collections management and care of deCordova’s permanent collection, provide registration oversight and consultation for the Art and the Landscape series (which are original outdoor commissions at other Trustees’ properties), and coordinate with collections curators and archivists for select exhibitions at the Fruitlands Museum.  

This position comes at an exciting moment for deCordova and the broader Art at The Trustees program as we deepen our focus on relationships of art and the natural world and prepare to reopen the Museum’s galleries in 2028. We are looking for a Registrar who is passionate about working with artists and museum collections, while also exploring more environmentally sustainable approaches to collections care and exhibitions. As the Registrar, you will also support the ongoing migration of the museum’s collection management system and updating of the museum’s collection management policy. The Registrar oversees the Collection Specialist, a termed position dedicated to supporting the transfer of collection records to the museum’s new CMS. The ideal candidate will have 3 years or more of progressively responsible experience relevant to registration and collection management in an art museum, gallery, or cultural organization. 

• Handle registration of all incoming and outgoing loans to and from deCordova and for select exhibitions at Fruitlands, and Art and the Landscape commissions, including preparation of loan agreements, loan forms, condition reports; arrangement of packing, shipping, and art handling, liaising loan requirements with the Curatorial team. Liaise with artists and artist’s representatives on the care and security of commissions and loans. 
• Handle the registration of and provide planning support for the reopening of the Museum’s galleries in 2028.  
• Negotiate fine art insurance renewals and maintain insurance coverage and records for the permanent collection, exhibitions, and the Sculpture Park. 
• Manage electronic and paper files associated with deposits and the permanent collection, including deeds of gift, invoices and issuance of payment, artist/commission agreements, Customs paperwork, and all other legal paperwork. Maintain the TC and Accession logs.  
• Manage deCordova’s collections management system(s) in collaboration with state-wide colleagues in Historic Collections and Archives. Continue the migration of records from Mimsy to Qi. Enter all new accessions and loans, promptly update object locations.  Oversee the Collection Specialist, a termed position dedicated to transfer records into Qi. Provide expertise and support for development of Collections Management Plan. 
• Arrange and manage the exhibition and storage of works of art at off-site storage. Manage operations at storage including the HVAC system, security, and utilities. Monitor and maintain temperature and humidity in galleries and art storage areas. Organize with preparator the annual maintenance of outdoor sculpture. 
• Manage the inventory of the permanent collection and perform reconciliation. 
• Support the development of the department budget and manage relevant expenses.                                                    
• Advise on best museum practices for collections management procedures, including art handling, storage, tracking of objects and working with conservator and framers.  

This is a full-time, exempt position working 40 hours per week, reporting directly to the Director of Projects and Exhibitions. 

Skills and Experience: 

• Preferred: Master of Arts degree in Museum Studies, Art History, or Arts Administration, B.A/B.S. required  
• Minimum of 3 years of registration experience in a museum, gallery, or other cultural organization  
• Must have strong knowledge of best practices for museum registration procedures and collection care.  
• Must have familiarity with museum collection management systems. Experience with QI is a plus but not required.  
• Excellent written, verbal communication and research skills 
• Attention to detail and excellent organizational skills  
• Highly collaborative and diplomatic; able to problem-solve and adapt to change; responsive and open to feedback   
• Interest in working outdoors and on artist-driven projects that are responsive to place and environment. Willingness to be flexible under changing conditions. 
• The position is primarily on site at deCordova, with some travel to other sites in Massachusetts.  

• Current authorization to work in the United States – a candidate must have such authorization by first day of employment. 

• A satisfactory criminal background (CORI) check. 

Don’t quite have all the skills and experience listed above? We still want to hear from you! Research shows that historically marginalized groups are less likely to apply if they do not meet every single requirement. We are committed to building a diverse team and encourage you to apply even if you are missing some of the skills and experience above.  

Questions? Contact our People team at people@thetrustees.org