Assistant Registrar

About the Museum

We Love Picture Book Art! 

At a time when the world can feel divided and uncertain, picture book art offers us a reminder of what truly matters: the values of peace, love, and our shared humanity. Art—particularly picture book art—has a pivotal role in shaping young minds and fostering a world of hope.  

Cofounded by Eric and Barbara Carle in 2002 to celebrate the art of the picture book, we collect, preserve, and exhibit original picture book art and encourage guests of all ages to appreciate and foster the love of picture book art. 

Situated on 7.5 acres in Amherst, Massachusetts, The Carle houses a rich and deep collection of art, and illuminates its collection through exhibitions, education, programming, and art making—making it a critical resource for picture book artists and authors, and art-loving communities locally, nationally, and abroad. Since opening its doors more than 21 years ago, The Carle has welcomed more than one million visitors—plus more than four million additional museumgoers who have enjoyed its touring exhibitions around the world. (Read our Annual Reports to learn more) 

How you will contribute

As the Assistant Registrar you provide registrarial support to the Collections Manager & Chief Registrar and assist with the documentation, handling, and physical care of the museum art collections and loans, in accordance with best practices. You support in-house exhibitions and select traveling exhibitions and assist with the appropriate display and safe transport of artifacts. 

As a member of the Collections Team, you report to the Collections Manager & Chief Registrar and work collaboratively with the Associate Registrar, Curator, and other collections project staff, including work study students and interns, to support the museum and contribute to The Carle’s mission.  

Specifically, you will

• Assist with the physical maintenance of the collection, including taking reference photos, condition reporting, labeling, housing, and storage. Assist with collection inventory and curatorial assessments.  
• Create, maintain, and update records of the permanent collection and other collections in the electronic database and paper files, ensuring ongoing accuracy of records.  
• Assist Collections Manager & Chief Registrar with cataloguing the collection. Track object movement and keep locations up-to-date in electronic database, including records of all internal and external object moves as the result of loans, exhibitions, and storage moves.  
• Works closely with collections staff to analyze and resolve discrepancies in object locations and inventories.
• Assist with outgoing loans of the permanent collection, including loan agreements, condition reports, correspondence, scheduling transport, object preparation, and packing. Courier art when necessary.  
• Serve as Registrar for temporary in-house exhibitions and select traveling exhibitions, creating checklists, pulling art, managing condition reports, and as needed, scheduling transport.
• Handle processing and data entry for exhibition objects and acquisitions, including generation of loan agreements, receipts, and insurance. Communicating with donors, lenders, and borrowers, as needed.
• Perform condition reports, coordinate shipping, packing, and appropriate housing of artwork in accordance with best practices, and courier services.
• Assist curatorial staff with public inquiries relating to the collections and make the collections available for research, teaching, and display by providing physical and intellectual access.
• Provide preview tours for exhibitions to orient staff to object care and safety concerns. 

Your background and experience include

The Carle acknowledges that competitive candidates may not meet all the experience requirements 100%. We encourage you to apply if many of these job requirements describe you. The position does not require a background in children’s literature.

• Bachelor’s Degree in related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Work experience with Registration and/or Curatorial staff in a museum or gallery setting. One year of related experience in museum collections management department, preferred.
• Knowledge of and demonstrated skill using collection management databases, Microsoft Word and Excel, and manipulating digital images. MuseumPlus experience a plus.
• Experience with collections of works on paper and working on museum exhibitions, a plus.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to collaborate and coordinate with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Excellent organizational, proofreading, and analytical skills with meticulous attention to detail.  
• Ability to juggle multiple tasks in a calm manner.
• Commitment to professional self-development to remain informed of museum and registration standards.  
• Ability to handle objects up to 50 pounds, see the normal range of color vision, and/or stand and/or walk an average of four (4) hours per day and climb a typical step ladder.
• Have a drivers’ license and the ability to drive a car. 

Position and compensation details

• This position is full-time, non-exempt with benefits.
• The hourly salary range for this position is $22 to $26, based on experience.
• The typical work schedule is Monday through Friday and may require occasional weekends and evenings.
• Benefits include: accrued paid time off (sick, vacation, personal and holiday pay), medical and dental insurance, long term disability, flexible spending account, contributions to a retirement account after two years of employment, discount to Museum shop and programs, plus free admission to many cultural institutions throughout New England.
• This position may qualify for a hybrid work schedule, which is defined as an arrangement where an employee’s work is regularly performed at a location other than the Museum for up to one day a week. 

Application timeline and process

Applications will be reviewed until the position is filled. To apply, complete our Employment Application. If you need an access accommodation, have a question regarding available accommodations, or if you need this application in an alternative format to successfully submit your candidacy, please contact hr@carlemuseum.org.

The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.