Museums, Historical Sites, and Zoos · 1,001 to 5,000 employees
One of the largest supporters of arts in the world, the J. Paul Getty Trust is an international cultural and philanthropic institution that focuses on the visual arts in all their dimensions. Getty serves both the general public and a wide range of professional communities in Los Angeles and throughout the world.
Through the work of the four Getty programs—the Museum, Research Institute, Conservation Institute, and Foundation—the Getty aims to further knowledge and nurture critical seeing through the growth and presentation of its collections and by advancing the understanding and preservation of the world's artistic heritage. The Getty pursues this mission with the conviction that cultural awareness, creativity, and aesthetic enjoyment are essential to a vital and civil society.
The Assistant Registrar coordinates loan logistics for approximately 25 exhibitions annually, including shipping, packing, and courier arrangements.
They also maintain accurate object documentation in the Collections Information System and provide administrative support for departmental budgets and records.
What you need
Candidates must possess a bachelor's degree in art history or a related field and have 1-3 years of experience in registration, collections documentation, or art handling.
Proficiency with database systems like The Museum System (TMS) and strong administrative and communication skills are required.
Getty is committed to creating a welcoming workplace that reflects the various backgrounds of the communities we serve. We value differences in the pursuit of inquiry and knowledge, mutual understanding, respect, trust, transparency, and cooperation. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship or immigration status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected status.
Job Summary
Our Mission
The J. Paul Getty Museum seeks to inspire curiosity about, and enjoyment and understanding of, the visual arts by collecting, conserving, exhibiting, and interpreting works of art of outstanding quality and historical importance and is one of four programs of the J. Paul Getty Trust. The Museum operates two facilities, the Getty Villa in Malibu, which exhibits its collection of Greek and Roman antiquities, and the Getty Center in Brentwood, which displays its collections of European art: Medieval and Renaissance illuminated manuscripts, paintings, sculpture, decorative arts, drawings to 1900, and photographs to the present day (including non-European works). The Museum mounts numerous temporary exhibitions a year across its two sites; maintains an annual permanent gallery improvement program and offers wide-ranging and ambitious programming for its visitors.
The Opportunity
The J. Paul Getty Museum seeks an Assistant Registrar position within the Registrar’s department located at the Getty Villa. Reporting to the Villa Registrar, the experienced individual will assist in coordinating loans for approximately 25 exhibitions held each year. They will have experience with automated collections management systems as well as Windows-based software packages; an understanding of and familiarity with various means of local, national, and international transport and how each affect works of art; strong administrative skills to handle paperwork and meet deadlines; excellent verbal and written communication skills required. They must be flexible and able to work on several projects at once.
Major Job Responsibilities
Assists with coordinating loans to the collections for exhibitions: creates exhibition and lender files; prepares loan agreements to accompany official loan request letters; assists with review and distribution of loan correspondence and agreements to Exhibitions and curatorial departments; reviews and tracks lenders’ loan conditions in collections database; assists with preparing and distributing Indemnity and insurance certificates to lenders; generates condition report cover sheets and compiles condition report notebooks; assists with compiling unpacking notes; assists with installations and de-installations.
Assists in making shipping and courier arrangements for exhibitions: maintains various spreadsheets and/or The Museum System (TMS) reports of shipping and courier activity; makes hotel reservations; generates courier information sheets, departure sheets, and courier packets; drafts and submits courier per diem requests and courier Tax Status Questionnaires; generates exhibition reports, shipping receipts, and loan checklists; creates and distributes work orders and dock notifications; assists with compliance to Certified Cargo Screening Program (CCSP) regulations, both in generating the required paperwork and in maintaining standards in the galleries; updates master shipping schedule; assists with compiling of shipping and courier estimates; processes invoices through Oracle; ensures that transport information is properly recorded; may act as courier.
Coordinates packing and shipping with Museum staff, Trust security, and outside contractors; checks shipments in and out, and may also act as courier.
Assists in maintaining the quality and accuracy of object documentation in the Collections Information System (TMS): enters, updates, and/or proofs records on exhibitions, loans, objects, insurance and shipments based on information provided by lenders, curators, or agents regarding loans and shipments.
Assists Registrar for Collections Management on data entry or proofing projects, as needed. Participates in monthly art counts of the galleries and collections storerooms at the Villa; keeps track of daily art movements in TMS and issues appropriate documents.
Assists with administrative support to Department; manages Center and Villa budgets, budget spreadsheets, and quarterly estimated actuals; reconciles FedEx charges for the Getty Center Registrar’s Office except for Rights & Reproduction needs.
Maintains a general knowledge of all other procedures utilized by the Registrar's department and shares with other staff members as necessary.
Undertakes special projects as directed by the Exhibitions Registrar or Associate Registrars working on exhibitions.
Authorized to issue receipts, releases, and gallery removal tags.
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in art history or related field
1-3 years of registration or publications experience or related experience in collections documentation, handling or movement or in the granting or obtaining of electronic rights
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Applies basic knowledge of collection documentation, image reproduction, loan and rights negotiation, license agreements or copyright law to routine assignments and work
Competent with database systems such as The Museum System (TMS) preferred, and basic imaging software
Knowledge of local, national and international transportation and how each affect works of art
Knowledge of a Western European language helpful
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; ability to be diplomatic and have strong interpersonal skills to work effectively with a wide range of employees and outside professionals
Ability to deal with confidential information exercising discretion in dealing with information about the collections
Basic knowledge of digital imaging and photographic methods
Benefits and Perks
Here are just some examples that Getty offers/provides for full-time employees:
Medical, Dental and Vision insurance coverage, starting on date of hire. Getty pays 75%-95% of the premium, depending on the plan selected.
403(b) Employee Investment retirement plan – with up to 5% Getty Match
Getty contribution of 6%, on behalf of employee, to 401(a) retirement account
Educational Assistance and professional development
Paid Vacation, Sick and Personal Days
12 Paid Holidays
Many positions have bi-weekly Off-Fridays
On-Site Fitness Center at Getty Center
Community service opportunities
To learn more about our comprehensive benefits and long list of perks, go to Getty HR.