Assistant or Associate) Registrar, Special Projects

(Assistant or Associate) Registrar, Special Projects

Job Category: Registration

Requisition Number: ASSIS
001768

• Full-Time

Showing 1 location

The Audrey Jones Beck Building
5601 Main St
Houston, TX 77005, USA

The (Assistant or Associate - final title DOE) Registrar, Special Projects supports the care, documentation, and movement of artworks across the museum in connection with acquisitions, rotations of the permanent collection galleries, exhibitions and special events involving works of art. This role provides comprehensive exposure to the responsibilities of museum registration, offering a range of rotating projects based on the Museum’s needs.

Key Responsibilities will include the following:

• Initiate and maintain data entry into the museum’s collection database “The Museum System” (TMS) for permanent collection exhibitions and rotation records.
• Update exhibition history records in TMS for permanent collection and long-term loan objects.
• Confirm artworks going and coming off view are catalogued in accordance with museum standards.
• Support the museum’s annual artwork inventory, ensuring accurate and up‑to‑date records.
• Assist with maintaining accurate physical and digital exhibition and object files.
• Coordinate the transfer of relevant files to the Archives department.

• Assist with establishing operational standards and cross-training Registration colleagues
• Coordinate and oversee installation documentation of complex permanent collection objects or special exhibitions as needed; coordinate unpacking and processing large incoming collections for acquisition.
• Serve as the primary registrar for biennial, short‑term special exhibitions such as the MFAH Staff Art Show and Galas.
• Serve as the primary contact for office art requests.
• Support Collections Registrars with the application of physical identification numbers, with legibility, to accessioned artworks as well as non-accessioned property, frames, archival objects, equipment, and other materials.
• Assist with unpacking, packing, and handling artwork as needed.
• Perform other duties and projects as assigned by the Chief Registrar.

• Given the nature and scope of this role, a bachelor's degree in Museum Studies, Art History, Fine Arts, is preferred. We will be open to consider an equivalent combination of related education and museum registration and collections work experience.
• A minimum of two years of museum, gallery, collections, or registration-related experience required.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks with accuracy.
• Self‑motivated, dependable, and comfortable working both independently and as part of a team.
• Must have strong communication skills (written and verbal) and be able to interact with diverse groups of people.
• Prior experience with a collections database is required (TMS is a plus), especially in a museum or archival setting.
• Experience with art handling is preferred but not required—we’re happy to train the right candidate.

The MFAH is an organization comprised of 600+ employees and 1,000+ docents and volunteers. The museum is more than 100 years old and ranks nationally among the top 10 art museums in exhibition space, memberships, endowments, and attendance, with 1M visitors annually. Our multifaceted institution includes multiple gallery buildings, a sculpture garden, two art schools, three eateries and two house museums for decorative arts.

The encyclopedic collection numbers more than 70,000 works of art in a wide range of media.

As an employer, MFAH offers a supportive, collegial and inclusive work environment and a competitive benefits package.

Title:

(Assistant or Associate) Registrar, Special Projects

Pay Rate:
Please see “Compensation” below

Work Location:

Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

Work will primarily be performed in an office environment, along with other areas including museum galleries, conservation labs and warehouse/storage environments. Work will involve extended sitting and computer usage, along with times were extended walking, climbing, standing are…