The Institute of Contemporary Art seeks an Associate Registrar to join our Curatorial team. As a member of the registration team, and reporting to the Senior Registrar, the Associate Registrar works to organize and install exhibitions and touring-exhibition programs and assists the Senior Registrar in the management of the ICA’s collection and archive. The Associate Registrar will be responsible for a broad range of registration functions including organizing artwork transport and storage, completing documentation and budget projections, loan forms, and filing condition reports. While possessing the ability to work independently it is also critical to possess the ability to work in conjunction with a team. Schedule includes domestic and international travel, and some nights and weekend hours in conjunction with installations and loans. 

The Associate Registrar contributes to a culture of collaboration, community, and respect and centers the work of Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, Inclusion, and Belonging in all areas of their work.

Working at the ICA

  • All ICA employees are required to reside in Massachusetts and within a reasonable commuting distance from our Seaport location as of their first day of work.
  • The ICA offers the flexibility of a hybrid work week, which averages two to three days a week onsite for employees who are eligible to work remotely (subject to change, and at managers discretion).

    Responsibilities

    • Manage registration tasks for several exhibitions each year. Responsible for coordinating the packing and transport of all artwork in exhibition projects assigned. Maintains and generates necessary documents as requested, such as loan agreements, crate lists, insurance lists and packing reports, for incoming loans and exhibition tours. Completes condition and packing reports during installation periods.
    • Work within assigned budget, processing and filing registration documents, and assist Senior Registrar and Director of Exhibitions as needed.
    • Travel as requested and/or approved with touring exhibitions and act as a courier with ICA collection loans.
    • Assist the Senior Registrar as needed in the management and care and storage of the ICA’s permanent collection.
    • Maintain and organize exhibitions and collections records including TMS database updates as well as archiving appropriate materials at the close of an exhibition, in the ICA’s exhibition archive.
    • Perform administrative duties associated with registration, including contacting vendors for estimates, and ordering and organizing supplies.
    • Condition check objects on view and perform gallery maintenance on a regular schedule and as required and in conjunction with the Preparators and Facilities department. With the Senior Registrar, work with the Visitor Assistants to provide adequate security for the works on view. Prepare and organize stanchions or other protective mechanisms needed for objects on view.

    Qualifications

    • 3-5 years of registration or exhibition planning experience in a museum or art organization setting
    • Bachelor’s degree in relevant field such as Art History, Museum Studies, or equivalent experience; M.A. and/or Museum Studies certificate preferred.
    • Experience with fine arts packing, shipping, handling and condition reporting required.
    • Excellent organization, communication and computer skills are required; knowledge of TMS is desirable.
    • Must be flexible, able to multi task, work at a busy pace and well under pressure, and able to meet tight deadlines.
    • Must also be willing to work flexible hours and be on-call when necessary.
    • Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally.

    Physical Requirements

    • Possess mobility to work in an office setting and use office equipment; move about throughout the museum, and travel offsite to different locations
    • Ability to see, listen and talk for extended periods in person, over the telephone and computer, and understand printed materials; Ability to follow protocols in handling works of art with care
    • Fine motor skills, keen eyesight, and an ability to stand for long periods of time
    • Must be able to carry, lift and/or move at least 50 pounds

    This is not necessarily an all-inclusive list of job-related responsibilities, duties, skills, efforts, requirements or working conditions. While the above is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed as assigned.

    The ICA offers an excellent benefit package that includes health, dental and vision insurance, disability/life insurance, flexible spending accounts, 403(b) retirement plan, and paid time off.

    Starting Salary: $58,000 Annual

    Compensation is based on meeting minimum requirements.

    ICA Compensation

    Each ICA position has a job grade based on the position’s evaluated job responsibilities, required education and experience, needed skills to perform the job, and professional knowledge.

    The position’s grade and respective compensation range is determined by the position’s overall responsibilities, including decision making, supervisory/management requirements, resource management and budgeting duties.

    Compensation is ultimately determined by the scope of the position and responsibilities, the candidate’s relevant experience, and internal equity, with starting salaries typically falling in the lower half of the compensation range.

    Interested candidates should send a resume and letter of interest to jobs@icaboston.org. When applying, please include “Associate Registrar” in the subject line.

    The ICA is located at 25 Harbor Shore Drive, Boston, and is accessible by public transportation (Red and Silver Line).

    Other Locations

    Seaport Studio, 100 Pier 4 Blvd, Second Floor, Boston, MA 02210

    ICA Watershed, 256 Marginal Street, Boston, MA 02128

    The ICA is dedicated to building a culturally diverse and pluralistic workforce committed to working in a multicultural environment. Qualified candidates from groups historically underrepresented in the museum professions are strongly encouraged to apply.

    The ICA is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to being a diverse and inclusive workplace. We are an EOE/AA employer dedicated to fair and inclusive employment practices for all individuals. The ICA is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, contact HR-EOE@icaboston.org or 617-478-3171.