Registrar

Job Title: Registrar  

Department: Registration 

Classification:  Full-time-Exempt  

Reports to: Chief Curator  

Manages: Part-time Registration Technician, Collection Volunteers, Interns 

Date:                  April 2026 

Salary Range:   $64,000-$67,000 Annually 

Position Summary 

The Registrar ensures the care, documentation, movement, and legal stewardship of the Kemper Museum’s growing collection of 1,500 objects, while also overseeing all aspects of registration related to exhibitions, installations, and loans, managing long and short-term projects. This includes coordinating object handling, condition reporting, and logistics for incoming and outgoing exhibitions, as well as supporting the planning, installation, and deinstallation of exhibitions and installations across the Museum’s sites. Working closely with curator(s), the Exhibitions Manager, Facilities, and other departments, the Registrar plays a critical role in upholding museum standards, managing art logistics, and preserving the long-term integrity of the collection across all Kemper sites. This position balances hands-on collection care with administrative oversight and project management, ensuring that both exhibitions and the collection meet the highest standards in service of the Museum’s mission and values. 

We know that skills and experience come in many forms. If you’re excited about this role and believe your background has prepared you in different ways, even if you don’t meet every qualification, we encourage you to apply, especially if your perspective or background is underrepresented in the field, or shaped by non-traditional paths.  

Key Areas of Responsibility  

Collections Stewardship 

The Registrar leads the care, storage, documentation, and movement of the Museum’s collection, ensuring accurate records and ethical practices. Responsibilities include maintaining the collection management system, coordinating acquisitions and cataloguing, overseeing inventories and condition assessments, and working with conservators to assess and treat artworks. The Registrar also manages rights and reproduction and ensures compliance with copyright, donor agreements, and legal standards, including NAGPRA and IRS guidelines.  

Exhibitions and Loans 

From concept through deinstallation, this position manages all registration duties related to incoming and outgoing loans, exhibitions, and collection rotations. This includes coordinating agreements with lenders, shipping, insurance, storage, condition reports, and loan documentation, as well as developing and monitoring exhibition-related budgets in collaboration with curatorial staff. The Registrar also prepares and submits indemnity applications and other required legal or government documentation.  

Standards, Facilities, and Risk Management 

The Registrar helps ensure compliance with museum accreditation standards, environmental monitoring, and emergency preparedness planning. Working with Facilities and Operations, this includes maintaining the museum’s facility reports, coordinating response plans, and ensuring alignment with institutional policies and professional ethics.  

Team Coordination and Collaboration 

The Registrar hires and supervise a part-time technician, interns, volunteers, and contract conservators (as needed) while working closely with colleagues across departments. They contribute to strategic planning, reaccreditation processes, forecast collections-related needs, and support museum-wide projects. The role also requires fostering professional relationships with lenders, donors, artists, external vendors, museum professionals, maintaining clear and consistent communication.  

Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in art history, museum studies, or a related field.  
• 5  years of experience in museum registration, collections management, and exhibition coordination.  
• Demonstrated expertise of art handling, storage, transportation, documentation best practices.  
• Proficiency with collection management systems and digital asset organization and workflows.  
• Familiarity with legal, ethical, and institutional policies government museum collections. 
• Demonstrated ability to manage projects, timelines, and collaborative workflows.  
• Supervisory and collaborative experience.  
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and analytical skills.   
• Commitment to culturally responsive and inclusive museum practices.   

Core Competencies 

• Accountability & Accuracy: Maintains clear, consistent, and accessible records.  
• Communication: Communicates clearly and diplomatically across multiple teams.   
• Adaptability & Flexibility: Navigates changing priorities with resilience and creativity.  
• Collaboration: Values teamwork and contributes positively to work culture.  
• Professionalism: Exercises discretion, judgment, and integrity in all duties.   

Physical Requirements  

• Ability to lift up to 40 lbs., bend, reach, and handle artworks safely.  
• Visual acuity for condition reporting and documentation tasks. 
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods during installations and related projects.   
• Occasional travel as an art courier or representative of the museum.  

Additional Notes 

This position occasionally requires evening or weekend hours related to installations, art shipments, or events. The Registrar may also travel to oversee object handling and transport.  

It is our policy to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, military status, and any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or local laws. We prohibit any such discrimination or harassment.

To Apply:

Please send cover letter, resume, and references to employment@kemperart.org or you may mail hard copies to:

Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art

Diane Lambert, Human Resources Manager

4420 Warwick Blvd.

Kansas City, MO 64111

Please include Facilities Manager in the subject line. No phone calls, please. Open until filled.