The Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis (CAM) seeks an experienced Registrar and Exhibition Production Manager to manage the logistics, design, and installation of exhibitions. Reporting to the Ferring Foundation Chief Curator, the Registrar works closely with the curatorial team, artists, and other stakeholders to execute CAM’s ambitious exhibition schedule, on time and on budget. This position is responsible for taking excellent care of artwork, including creating and maintaining loan agreements, insurance certificates, and condition reports; managing the installation of exhibitions, including hiring and supervising a crew; handling and coordinating the transportation of artwork, planning construction projects, and working directly with artists and curators to realize their vision. This position is also responsible for maintaining and upholding national and international museum standards and best practices. The ideal candidate has at least five years of relevant experience and possesses excellent project management skills, strong attention to detail, and the ability to devise creative and cost-effective solutions. 

Responsibilities

Registration

• Oversee all the registration and production aspects of all exhibitions.
• Manage packing, crating, courier arrangements, transportation, and other logistics for local, domestic, and international shipments; supervise object movement in line with Museum standards.
• Provide logistical and administrative coordination of exhibitions, including traveling exhibitions.
• Communicate with private, institutional, and gallery lenders on shipping, packing, condition and installation needs for all loaned artworks.
• Catalog and create condition reports for high-value and fragile objects in a variety of media. Additionally, generate loan agreements, insurance certificates, maintain CAM’s up-to-date Facility Report and other documents as needed.
• Manage exhibition checklists in collaboration with curators.
• Maintain and oversee CAM’s artwork insurance policy and manage any claims.
• Ensure safe, proper, and organized display as well as temporary storage of all artwork.
• Coordinate with other museum departments to ensure the safety of artworks during public programs, special events, and facility rentals by training staff, assessing rental floorplans and conducting walkthroughs as needed.
• Create exhibition-specific instructions for opening and closing galleries; collaborate with the Visitor Services department to monitor the ongoing condition of all displayed artwork when the museum is open.
• Work with curators to develop archival and record retention policies. Maintain CAM’s exhibition archives and databases pertaining to exhibitions and loans.
• Work with curators to create, maintain, and communicate museum and gallery policies with staff as related to records retention, gallery activities, rentals, classes, and staff.
• Oversee environmental monitoring readings, housekeeping, and integrated pest management policy to maintain international museum standards as per CAM’s contracts and agreements with lenders and insurance policy.
• Respond to artwork incidents or damage by arranging and supervising conservator treatments, reporting to lenders and insurance as needed, and documenting processes.
• Conduct regular condition checks of artworks and the building. Respond to incidents/emergencies off-hours and weekends by troubleshooting A/V installations, assessing potential artwork damage, closing galleries, and instructing VEA staff on responses and public signage. 
• Manage requirements and logistics for CAM traveling exhibitions including coordinating shipping, preparing installation guides, and managing production budgets.
• Review exhibition contracts and monitor compliance with their terms.
• Supervise the loading/unloading of trucks at CAM’s loading dock.

Exhibitions

• Work with artists and curators to design and install exhibitions; coordinate with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders to bring exhibitions to fruition, including CAM staff, collectors, foundations, galleries, and other museums. 
• For each installation period, hire, schedule, train, and manage temporary personnel including a team of 6-10 installation preparators per season, lead preparator, and A/V production specialist. 
• Review, develop, and maintain CAM’s installation standards and policies. Train new preparators on standards. 
• Frequently construct in-house packing and advise on repacking needs for sensitive high-value artworks.  
• Research materials, installation methods, fabrication methods, and determine viability of exhibition project proposals Additionally, support artists in the commissioning of new works. 
• Help design exhibitions, including the installation of wall text and fabrication of exhibition furniture, and gallery lighting.
• Work to improve sustainability and recycling measures as related to installation materials, purchasing, and recycling. 
• Maintain inventory and ensure viability of technical equipment, including projectors, cables, and monitors, tools, and supplies.
• Schedule annual maintenance and certification training as needed for contract workers for aerial work platform (scissor lift).

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or commensurate experience, and at least five years of experience in registration and/or art handling and preparation.
• Demonstrated knowledge of standard museum registration methods as well as exhibition materials, processes, equipment, safety, and art transportation, and packing standards. 
• Experience in exhibition installation methods, art handling, and preparation. 
• Proven ability to generate creative solutions that satisfy budget and safety requirements. 
• Supervisory experience and strong interpersonal, communication, and writing skills. 
• Ability to interact professionally with internal and external constituents on behalf of the Museum.
• Effective time and project management skills; sets goals and objectives, organizes and/or schedules other people and their tasks, and develops realistic action plans.
• Multiplatform computer proficiency as well understanding of database management, imaging software, and spreadsheets. Knowledge of SketchUp preferred.​    
• Ability to work both independently and as a team member.
• Dependability, flexibility, and adaptability in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. Must have some flexibility to accommodate a schedule that may vary during exhibition turnovers (twice per year).
• Knowledge of and experience in carpentry, construction, painting, rigging, and mounting signs and graphics required.
• Understanding of basic construction and fabrication; ability to delegate to contractors, and oversee gallery construction and custom fabrication projects.
• Experience with time-based media, including video and audio required.
• Experience using aerial work platform (scissor lift) required. Ability to frequently work at heights over 25 feet. 
• Heavy lifting (45 pounds or more) and strenuous physical activities are essential functions of this position.
• Occasional weekend and evening hours are required.
• Demonstrated commitment to values of diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion.

Compensation

This is a full-time position. Compensation is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience. The salary range for this position is $60,000–$70,000 annually.

CAM’s benefits package includes:

• Employer paid medical insurance
• Dental and vision insurance
• Voluntary life insurance
• Flexible spending account

CAM offers generous time off, including nationally observed holidays, vacation, sick, paid time off, volunteer time off, and various leave policies. CAM also hosts a flexible remote work policy, as appropriate for the position.

Application Instructions

Please click “Apply Here” to be forwarded to the application portal. To apply, you must create a free account for Submittable. You will be asked to upload a cover letter and resume. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, but priority consideration will be given to those received by December 27, 2024. 

We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible hiring process. If you require reasonable accommodations to participate in an interview, complete an application, or any part of the hiring process, please contact Dean Daderko at ddaderko@camstl.org to discuss your needs.

Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion

The Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis is committed to embracing diversity, practicing equity, and ensuring accessibility and inclusion. We will continually strive to achieve a welcoming environment in all our spaces, where staff, artists, board, and community feel reflected and valued for their unique perspectives and backgrounds. DEAI values will guide and impact all the decisions the museum makes, both internal and external, so that we are choosing a path toward ongoing transformation. We embolden ourselves to carry out these values by:

• acknowledging our place in and actively working against our national problem of systemic racism and white supremacy;
• ensuring that underrepresented voices are included and heard;
• seeking out and building partnerships that represent our DEAI values;
• continuing to be a free gathering space and an open forum for ideas.

We enthusiastically take on the work of change. To remain true to these core values, we will hold ourselves accountable through a perpetual process of reflection and responsive action.

About the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis

The Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis works to enrich lives and inspire curiosity, creativity, and learning through experiences with contemporary art. Focused on a dynamic array of changing exhibitions, the Museum reflects and contributes to the global cultural landscape while engaging thousands of visitors through a wide array of public programs. CAM nurtures the creative minds of our city’s youth through free, in-depth art education, making a long-lasting impact on the community. We are a site for discovery, a welcoming space, free and open to all.

CAM is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, age, family responsibilities, national origin, or veteran status. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture.

Learn more and apply through CAM’s official portal at camstl.org/jobs.

We recognize that it is highly unlikely that an applicant meets 100% of the qualifications for a given role. If most of this job description describes you, we encourage you to apply.