Exhibition Registrar in Los Angeles, California at The Broad
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Job Description
THE BROAD
The Broad was established to make contemporary art accessible to the widest possible audience. Founded in 2015 on Grand Avenue in downtown Los Angeles by philanthropists Eli and Edythe Broad, the museum offers free general admission and presents an active program of special exhibitions and innovative live events, all within a landmark building designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro. Welcoming around 900,000 visitors per year, The Broad is a bustling public space and serves as home to the Broad collection, one of the world’s leading collections of postwar and contemporary art, which continues to grow as new artists and artworks are added. The museum is also the headquarters of The Broad Art Foundation’s worldwide lending library, which has been loaning collection works to museums around the world since 1984. An expansion of the museum will open before the 2028 summer Olympics in Los Angeles, creating even greater public access.
ABOUT THE POSITION
The Broad seeks a collaborative, detail-oriented, and highly organized Exhibition Registrar to support the planning, coordination, and implementation of the museum’s ambitious exhibitions program and collection installations. Reporting to the Director of Exhibitions Management, the Exhibition Registrar will play a key role in managing the logistics and documentation related to temporary exhibitions, collection rotations, touring exhibitions, and incoming and outgoing loans.
Working with Curatorial, Collections Management, Preparators, Facilities, Security, and external lenders and vendors, the Exhibition Registrar will help ensure the successful execution of exhibitions across the institution. This role will oversee complex exhibition logistics including shipping, packing, courier coordination, loan documentation, installation planning, and exhibition record management while helping maintain institutional standards and best practices related to artwork handling, movement, and documentation.
As The Broad prepares for the opening of its expansion building in 2028, adding 70% more gallery space to the museum, this role will support a growing exhibitions program and contribute to the museum’s mission of creating access to contemporary art for the widest possible audience.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Lead registrar functions for temporary exhibitions, collection rotations, and touring exhibitions.
- Maintain exhibition records within EmbARK and other institutional systems and produce related paperwork including checklists, loan agreements, receipts, shipping documentation, and condition report forms.
- In collaboration with exhibition curators and the Director of Exhibitions Management, prepare and submit exhibition loan requests and manage ongoing correspondence with lenders, partner institutions, couriers, and vendors.
- Coordinate and oversee packing, shipping, customs, and transportation logistics for local, domestic, and international loans and exhibitions.
- Procure and manage shipping, crating, courier travel, and related vendor quotes and logistics.
- Book and coordinate courier travel including flights, hotels, ground transportation, and per diem requests.
- Oversee incoming and outgoing shipments, including occasional evening or weekend supervision as needed.
- Plan and oversee exhibition installations and deinstallations in collaboration with Preparators, Collections Management, Facilities, Security, and external contractors.
- Supervise art handlers, contractors, couriers, and vendors working on exhibition-related installations and artwork movement projects.
- Create, maintain, and distribute documentation related to lender requirements, installation specifications, display requirements, and object movement to ensure institutional and lender standards are met.
- Prepare and maintain condition reports for incoming and outgoing loans and collection objects related to exhibitions and installations.
- Track artwork locations, movement records, and outgoing loan information within the museum’s collections database and related systems.
- Create and maintain photographic documentation related to artwork installations, exhibitions, and object movement.
- Assist with domestic and international indemnity applications and immunity from judicial seizure applications.
- Track assigned exhibition budget lines and promptly communicate variances or concerns to the Director of Exhibitions Management.
- Serve as a resource to museum staff regarding exhibition schedules, registrar procedures, shipping timelines, and artwork handling protocols.
- Assist with logistics coordination for institution-organized or co-organized exhibitions traveling to partner venues.
- Partner with Collections Management and other departments to support institutional standards related to object care, handling, documentation, and exhibition operations.
- Attend exhibition planning and cross-functional project meetings.
- Support the Director of Exhibitions Management with special projects and departmental initiatives as needed.
- Other duties as assigned.
EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS
The ideal candidate brings strong experience in museum registration and exhibition operations, including excellent organizational, communication, and project management skills, along with technical knowledge related to the safe handling, transportation, installation, and documentation of contemporary artworks. Candidates who thrive in collaborative environments and are able to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously are highly desirable.
- Bachelor’s degree in art history, museum studies, arts administration, or related field; advanced degree preferred.
- Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in museum registration, exhibitions, collections management, or related roles at a museum or similar institution, preferably working with complex or international exhibitions.
- Strong knowledge of museum registration practices, artwork handling standards, packing and shipping procedures, and collections documentation.
- Experience coordinating artwork loans, shipping logistics, courier travel, installation schedules, and exhibition-related documentation.
- Experience preparing and maintaining loan agreements, condition reports, shipping records, and exhibition documentation preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and effectively prioritize competing deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to work collaboratively across departments and with external lenders, vendors, couriers, and partner institutions.
- Detail oriented with strong organizational skills and follow-through on assignments and projects.
- Ability to exercise sound judgment, problem solve effectively, and adapt to changing exhibition priorities and schedules.
- Support and demonstrate the museum’s culture of developing a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible environment for staff, contract staff, vendors, and visitors.
- Approach work with professionalism, integrity, collaboration, and accountability.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and collections management systems required.
- Experience with TMS, Embark, or similar collections management systems preferred.
- Familiarity with digital asset management systems and project management tools preferred.
- Ability to occasionally work evenings and weekends and travel domestically or internationally as needed.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull items weighing up to 25 pounds. A full range of body motion is required on the job to include frequent sitting, bending, stooping, crouching, lifting, carrying, walking, and standing.
The Broad is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and welcomes conversations about access needs related to this role.
PAY RANGE
$90,000 - $105,000 annually, based on applicant’s education, experience, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.
BENEFITS
- Medical, Dental, and Vision.
- Employer paid short-term disability, long-term disability, and basic life insurance.
- 401(k) up to 4% match, with immediate vesting.
- Additional generous 5% retirement contribution to eligible employees.
- Accrued vacation, sick, volunteer days, and a floating holiday.
- Free parking or free LA Metro pass or bike/walk stipend.
- Discount at The Shop at The Broad, and at local eateries.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire. Employment is contingent upon a satisfactory background and reference checks.
TO APPLY
Please submit your resume and letter of interest. We will only contact candidates selected for further consideration. No phone inquiries please.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
The Broad is an equal opportunity employer, and we aspire to reflect the diversity of Los Angeles in both our staff and our visitors. It is the practice of The Broad to offer equal opportunity consistent with applicable federal and state law in all aspects of employment. All employment decisions will be made in compliance with applicable federal and state laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race (including traits historically associated with race, including but not limited to hair texture and protective hairstyles), religion, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, sex, pregnancy, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, medical condition (as defined by California law and including Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), actual or perceived), genetic information, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, having filed a discrimination complaint or any other status protected by applicable law. The Broad believes that by actively building a diverse workforce we can innovate, inspire, and engage with the widest possible audience.
Reasonable accommodation will be made for qualified candidates with disabilities in accordance with the ADA and the ADAAA.
Statements in this description represent typical elements, criteria, and general work performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the job.