"Temporary Collection Manager and Registrar"

Job Summary

The CU Art Museum Temporary Collection Manager and Exhibition Registrar is a part-time, on-site position that supports the ongoing work of the museum staff and manages the museum's collection of over 12,000 artworks to professional standards established by the American Alliance of Museums. The position reports to the Museum Director with regular collaboration with the Exhibitions, Facilities, and Security Manager and the Preparator. This position provides essential support for upcoming exhibitions and enacts policy ensuring the proper oversight, care, and documentation for the museum's collection, as well as for all incoming and outgoing loans. The temporary Collection Manager and Exhibition Registrar runs the collection database, maintains an inventory of the collection, tracks movement of objects, monitors environmental controls, and performs a range of registration duties. This position upholds standard methodologies for preservation and accessibility when handling and storing objects in the museum's care.

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

The University of Colorado Art Museum provides a forum for exchanging ideas, encouraging collaboration, and fueling creativity through art. The museum's growing collection and diverse exhibitions and public programs promote, encourage and generate interdisciplinary scholarship and cultural expression. CU Art Museum mobilizes our strengths to support and enrich the academic and social missions of CU Boulder and to serve our communities in Boulder, statewide, and beyond.Housed within CU Boulder's College of Arts & Sciences, it's our mission to improve the accessibility of our collection and exhibitions for CU Boulder students, faculty, staff, and the people of Colorado.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

• Administer professional policies for the accessibility, care, usage, handling, and inventory of the collection.
• Manage physical and digital record systems to register and control all incoming and outgoing objects pertaining to accessions and loans.
• Lead the loan process for items in the collection and for incoming exhibition loans, including loan paperwork, transportation, and insurance.
• Process and examine all incoming and outgoing collection objects to determine liability for loss and/or damage with professional condition reports.
• Liaise with the university's Risk Management, Financial Service Center, Procurement, Legal, and other departments to ensure museum policies and university policies are enacted.
• Manage database administration and image rights for exhibitions and publications.
• Manage image rights and reproduction permissions for programming, marketing, and exhibition purposes.
• Maintain records for exhibition history and documents pertaining to the permanent collection.
• Maintain and report departmental budgets.

What You Should Know

• This is a temporary (50%) position. Expectation of 15-20 hours a week, in person. Must be available to work during regular business hours (8:30 AM - 5:00 PM).

What We Can Offer

• The starting pay for this position is $28 per hour.

Benefits

Temporary positions at the University of Colorado are not benefits-eligible, however, all positions are eligible for paid sick leave.

Be Statements

Be ambitious. Be pioneering. Be Boulder.

What We Require

• Bachelor's degree in museum studies or related field.
• 3+ years of experience in museum collections and operations.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may substitute.
• Certificate in Museum Studies.
• Demonstrated experience with Microsoft Office and Google products, Teams, Zoom, Argusby, Lucidea or similar collections management software, and other project, research, and content management software.
• Knowledge and experience implementing professional practices in collections management, preservation, documentation, and care.

What You Will Need

• Ability to organize and manage multiple projects/tasks simultaneously; must have ability to work independently and collaboratively and adapt to changing priorities.
• Ability to analyze information/situations and solve problems.
• Strong data/database management and manipulation skills.
• Ability to exercise a high degree of diplomacy, discretion, and collaboration in working with a diverse range of constituents, including employees, students, volunteers, alumni, donors, and campus colleagues.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to represent the CU Art Museum and the university in a professional manner.
• Growth mindset, resilience, and perseverance.
• Ability to embrace a self-starter/self-learning approach.
• Moderate physical activity. Requires handling of average-weight objects up to 30 pounds and occasional use of ladders.

What We Would Like You to Have

• Master's Degree.
• 5+ years of experience.
• Background in visual and material culture, object research, and exhibition development.
• Experience working at an academic art museum or in a university collection.

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:

1. A current resume.
2. A cover letter that specifically tells us how your background and experience align with the requirements, qualifications, and responsibilities of the position.

We may request references at a later time.

Please apply by March 29, 2026 for consideration.

Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, please apply through CU Boulder Jobs.

In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.