Project Collections Associate - Princeton University

The Princeton University Art Museum welcomes applications for six Project Collections Associates who will assist the museum collection staff with various activities associated with the re-installation of the university’s art collection for the opening of our dramatically reconceived Museum in 2025. The Art Museum anticipates these hourly positions will work onsite during normal business hours, five days per week, starting in Fall 2024 and continuing through Fall 2025. Under the supervision of the Senior Collections Manager and the Museum Registrars, the Project Collections Associates will be assigned to one of five core teams: Packing, Shipping, Unpacking, Gallery, or Mount Making, and be partnered with contract art handlers or museum collections staff to execute various tasks associated with moving the art collection.

This is a full-time, benefits-eligible term position.

About the Museum:

With a collecting history that extends back to 1755, the Princeton University Art Museum is one of the leading university art museums in the country, home to collections that have grown to include more than 115,000 works of art ranging from ancient to contemporary art and spanning the globe. Committed to advancing the University’s teaching and research missions, the Museum also serves as a hub for the humanities at Princeton for visitors worldwide. The Museum currently presents exhibitions in its two downtown venues (Art on Hulfish and Art@Bainbridge) and is touring collections exhibitions nationally and internationally. When the Museum opens its dramatically reconceived building, scheduled for 2025, it will initiate a new exhibitions program with annual exhibitions on-site and on tour.

To learn more about the Princeton University Art Museum, visit artmuseum.princeton.edu.

Applications should include a resume and a cover letter addressing your interest and qualifications for the position.

Audit movement and condition of art collection objects:

• Generate checklists from the museum database and correctly identify artwork in storage.
• Partner with a team of two or three art handlers to move art objects.
• Direct art object movement, as assigned, to prescribed destinations while overseeing handling of objects on the checklist during packing or unpacking.
• Record location changes in the museum database.
• Label containers and attach object tags when needed.

Oversight of shipping containers and conveyances:

• Verifying contents of shipping containers.
• Directing art handlers to stage packed and unpacked crates in assigned areas.
• Label all shipping containers and create container records in the museum database
• Create and/or complete shipping records in the museum database.

Examine objects and make note of condition changes:

• Capture and save digital images as necessary to record and report changes in object conditions.
• Notify Museum Conservators of conservation concerns.

Respond to changes in the project schedule as appropriate, coordinate activities with other museum teams and departments essential to the process, such as security, exhibitions, conservation, or facilities.

Essential Requirements

The successful candidate will have:

• a minimum of two to three years of experience working as a registrar, preparator, conservation assistant, or fulfilled a similar role for a museum, gallery, other cultural institution or fine art services company
• knowledge of Visual Art or Art History, as an alternative to a bachelor’s degree equivalent personal or professional experience, training or education will be considered.
• familiarity with a wide variety of fine art media and associated terminology
• knowledge of museum best practices for handling and caring for works of art
• experience checking containers for shipment
• computer experience and be comfortable working with digital files
• physical ability to stand or walk for up to two hours at one time for eight hours per day: sitting for less than two hours per day
• physical ability to lift or carry 25 pounds, frequently use hands for simple grasping or pushing or pulling; occasionally bend, squat, reach overhead, and possess the ability to climb ladders and maintain balance.
• be team-oriented, must have collegial attitude in working as part of a team to achieve a shared goal.
• Ability to be flexible and respond accordingly in a changing work environment.

Preferred Requirements

Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History, Museum Studies, Art Conservation, or Studio Arts

Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS