About
Founded in South Africa, the gallery represents contemporary artist practices from the African continent and diaspora. The gallery’s rigorous curatorial programme pivots on unprecedented modes of making, cross-disciplinary collaborations, and the ingenuity of the human hand. Cultivating new forms of expression, that disrupt the hierarchies between functionality and fine art, the programme traces its roots to the utilitarian and socially embedded role that African art has played historically.
A very important aspect of the work undertaken by the gallery – through its collaborations with eminent global institutions, foundations and museums – is to contribute to a deeper understanding of humanitarian, environmental and societal concerns with targeted projects, large-scale installations and immersive experiences. The artists represented explore personal narratives, cultural structures and social change.
The Role
In Feb 2024, our client will open a new US based gallery, in LA, and is seeking a full-time, on-site Registrar. Candidates should have a minimum of 5 years’ experience in the art world or associated creative industries. The Registrar will work with a small team at the gallery, reporting to the founders, while working collaboratively with the gallery based in South Africa.
Responsibilities
The Registrar should have strong people skills, show initiative and self-determination, enjoy problem solving, critical thinking and be able to multitask and think out of the box. A passion for art, artists and creating immersive worlds and a welcoming environment are all also important.
The position requires a combination of hands on ability for receipt of works, exhibition installation, production and shipping and includes registration and archiving skills, including inventory, database, consignment and loan agreements. The registrar must have fastidious attention to detail, record keeping and accuracy and also robust, big picture thinking, stamina and a positive outlook.
The primary functions of the position, include, but are not limited to:
- Receipting of works from South Africa shipments, including liaising with the freight forwarders.
- Inventory management and condition reports related to the receipt, storage, and preservation of all artist’s works, across the gallery and a number of storage facilities, and regularly supplying reports on inventory.
- Coordination of local, domestic and international shipping and installations for sales, consignments, fairs and exhibitions including safe, professional handling, packing and documentation of work and logistics partners.
- Negotiating with multiple shipping companies to ensure cost-effective, timely, and accurate estimates and shipments.
- Maintaining and archiving shipping documents including bills of lading and customs paperwork.
- Ensuring that certificates of origin accompany all deliveries and shipments.
- Advising on proper packing, care, maintenance, and installation for artworks.
- Generating condition reports
- Overseeing the stretching and framing of art works that are shipped rolled.
- Overseeing in-house or specialist repairs at the gallery or collectors’ homes.
- Assisting with the photography of works, where needed, and gallery exhibitions.
- Participating in gallery installations, openings, fairs and other external events as needed, which may take place on weekends or fall outside of normal gallery hours and which may include travel.
- Managing the gallery staffing needs for installations including budgeting, quotations and record keeping for service providers.
- Assisting gallery director with sales requests and specific collector viewings or works on approval deliveries.
- Handling all incoming and outgoing mail, including FedEx, USPS and messenger deliveries.
- Overseeing checklists, materials and signage required for art fairs and gallery exhibitions.
- Ensuring the gallery and back offices are presentable, liaising with the landlord and overseeing any repairs.
This is a broad overview of duties and responsibilities, however additional specific needs directly related to the position will arise and these would be included in the job requirement.
Requirements
Our client is supportive, collaborative, has a commitment to fairness and transparency, and undertakes operating with etiquette and integrity – these are all qualities that they hold in the highest regard.
This role would require the following skillset:
- Hands-on experience in a gallery, production house, artists studio, or similar.
- Computer literacy including Adobe Suite, Excel, and CRM (ideally Arternal) and robust digital filing.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to engage authentically.
- Self-motivation and the ability to work equally well collaboratively and independently with accountability.
- An in-depth understanding and experience of the structures, language and culture within the art world
- Teamworking skills and the ability to plan, lead and motivate.
- Physical stamina for organising, travel, setting up exhibitions and participating at fairs.
- Flexibility for travel, locally and internationally, with notice.
- A commitment to confidentiality at all times, both within the organisation and outside of it, in perpetuity.
- Big picture thinking with an understanding of the overall brand identities and objectives and a strong desire to continue to grow personally and build on the gallery goals.
** You may be required to work overtime depending on the needs of the gallery, you’ll be given fair notice and this requirement will be reasonable.
** Domestic and International travel may be required, and fair notice will be given of all schedules.
Working Hours: Tues – Sat 10am – 6pm
Start Date: 15 Jan 2024
Location: Los Angeles
Salary: $60k+ flexible DOE – Health benefits included