Collections Specialist

Description:

The Collections Specialist for the Chazen Museum of Art will collaborate with the curatorial team to support the growth and management of the museum's permanent collection of over 24,000 artworks. This position will provide a wide variety of general collection management services in support of the development, use, and preservation of the museum's collections and associated data to enhance the teaching, research, and public service mission of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. This role will facilitate all aspects of the acquisition and accession process, manage physical storage inventories, implement museum preservation practices and collection policies, and maintain loan objects and documentation. The Collections Specialist will also provide research support for proposed acquisitions.

Responsibilities:

Manages museum or research collections and associated documentation and data to enhance teaching, research, and general interest. Implements museum preservation practices and collection policies and oversees collection documentation and reporting.

• 15% Oversees collections management database or retrieval system, develops standards, oversees data entry, and provides digital access to the collections. Often serves as database administrator, accessions and catalog collections
• 20% Oversees physical storage and access to the collection
• 5% Manages incoming and outgoing (international, domestic and in-house) loans and associated documentation
• 15% Organizes collections in and during installation of exhibitions, galleries, and laboratories
• 10% Completes and submits permit reports, renewal requests, customs forms, insurance, and related paperwork
• 5% Provides operational guidance on day-to-day activities of student workers and volunteers
• 10% Serves as main point of contact and maintains relationships with donors, collectors, and colleagues
• 20% Assists with collection-related research by compiling relevant scholarship and information for proposed acquisitions.