Public Art Collection Registrar

About Us

4Culture is an independent public agency, chartered under state law and King County ordinance in January 2003, after 35 years as the King County Office of Cultural Resources. The ideal candidate for this position champions public support for arts, culture, science, and technology and has demonstrated sustained commitment to advancing racial equity and social justice. As the cultural funding and services agency for King County, Washington, 4Culture works to make the region vibrant. The organization’s five program areas—Arts, Heritage, Historic Preservation, Public Art, and Science and Technology—put public resources to use all over King County.

Guided by a vision of a King County in which every person has what they need to explore and create culture, we’re working to become an actively anti-racist organization. We know that this work is urgent and ongoing; as a public agency, we’re committed to being transparent about our successes and failures. 4Culture is part of the system of white supremacy that has historically disadvantaged Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color. We are working to understand systems of structural racism, dismantle them with the tools available to us, and build up something equitable that supports and recognizes the value in cultural expression of all of people, especially those in King County.

About the Role

4Culture Public Art commissions, collects and manages art for the King County Public Art Collection, bringing artists’ thinking to the spaces we engage with in King County, WA. We are seeking qualified candidates for the position of Public Art Collection Registrar. The Public Art Collection Registrar will manage organizational functions of King County’s 2,500+ civic art collection, including archival records, public information and basic art handling in collaboration with 4Culture and King County Department staff. The duties of this position are approximately 75% registrar, focused at the offices of 4Culture with approximately 25% of the work engaging in art handling duties on sites throughout King County.

You will be most successful in this position if:

• You have experience as a collection registrar and are able to provide administrative oversight and research for a civic art collection which includes maintaining collection records and asset tracking.
• You understand and will contribute to the development and implementation of long-term Public Art Collection policies and procedures in collaboration with the 4Culture Public Art Collection Manager and Public Art Program Director.  
• You have knowledge of best practices for the handling, storage, and transportation of art for a public setting.

Additionally, you will be prepared to take on this role if you have following experience, abilities, commitments, and skills:

Committed to:

• Following best practices and policies in public art
• Advancing racial equity and social justice in how you conduct your work
• Building trust, credibility, and collaborative relationships with stakeholders of diverse backgrounds, including artists, 4Culture staff, King County staff and the public
• Supporting the cultural sector of King County and all its districts

Experienced with:

• Civic art collections in a variety of locations and contexts (indoor, outdoor, permanent, portable and temporary)
• Microsoft programs such as Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams; collection management system such as Artwork Archive

Skilled in:

• Problem solving, analysis and the ability to manage several complex projects simultaneously (both short and long term)
• Effective communication and the ability to present to internal and external audiences
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail

Have the ability to:

• Balance working independently and collaboratively with 4Culture staff, County employees, members of the media and general public
• Climb ladders, work at heights over eight (8) feet, stoop, kneel, squat, crouch, crawl, or lift and move objects up to 50 pounds
• Comfortable working in a variety of locations across a civic public art program

Supervisory responsibilities:

• Assist the Collection Manger with vendor relationships including contracts for art handling, appraisal, conservation projects, loan and maintenance agreements.
• Lead the annual King County Public Art Collection survey in collaboration with the Public Art Collection Manager
• May share knowledge with the 4Culture Public Art Program Support Specialist and engage their assistance in projects as needed

Job Responsibilities:

• Manage and maintain collection records and track King County art assets in both digital and hard copy files; coordinate with King County Asset and Risk Management
• Respond to requests for information regarding the King County Public Art Collection from King County employees, press, public and other arts agencies
• Manage the close out of projects, production of plaques and wall labels related to the Public Art Collection in consult with the Public Art Collection Manger and Project Managers
• Occasionally required to work in person on sites throughout King County, be able to drive and should have a valid WA State Driver’s License (4Culture collections van available for collections work use)
• Make recommendations about the deaccession of artwork from the collection according to 4Culture Public Art policy in consultation with the Public Art Collection Manager, Public Art Program Director and Public Art Advisory Committee

4Culture leadership has the right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time to ensure the success of the organization.

Minimum Qualifications:

We are looking for candidates that can demonstrate they have the skills listed above through a combination of their work, education, and life experience as demonstrated in their resume, and cover letter.

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in registration or collections management in a museum, gallery or public art setting
• Experience/proficiency in Microsoft programs such as Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams; collection management system such as Artwork Archive

Desired Qualifications

• Degree in Museum Studies, Art History, Public Art or a related field.
• Knowledge of best practices for art handling, storage, and transportation in a public setting.
• Ability to learn Adobe Creative Suite such as Photoshop and InDesign

Work Environment

• Position works a 37.5 hour work week, Monday-Friday.
• This position will primarily be onsite 4Culture at 101 Prefontaine Pl S, Seattle, WA. Seattle. This position is hybrid (3 days in the office/2 days remote).
• Occasional early morning, evening and/or weekend hours are required.
• Alternative work arrangements may be considered and will be based on operational needs.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

Compensation:

This position is a Grade 15 with a full salary range of $66,993 to $100,490. Starting compensation range is anticipated to be $75,367 to $83,742. Salary will be negotiated and based on the selected candidate and their experience and includes a competitive package of benefits. It is classified as Regular Full Time, exempt.

Benefits of Working at 4Culture

Working at 4Culture provides the chance to support and learn from the cultural community that makes King County a vibrant region to live in. Our mission affirms a deep commitment to racial equity as we work with our community to end institutional and structural racism. We work toward this goal, while supporting the physical and mental health of all 4Culture employees. Maintaining an appropriate work life balance is essential to our work, and 4Culture prioritizes staff wellness and the continual evolution of a healthy organizational culture.

The perks of working at 4Culture include:

• A 37.5 work week, flex schedule
• 12 paid vacation days annually, with additional paid vacation accrual after 5 years of service
• 12 days of paid Holiday (including Juneteenth and Indigenous Peoples’ Day)
• Orca transit card
• Attractive comprehensive health insurance package consisting of medical, dental, vision, and basic life and long-term disability insurance for employees.

To Apply

You will need to log in or create a 4Culture account in order to access the application. Apply online no later than Thursday, March 27, 2025, 5:00 pm PDT.

If you have questions regarding your account or setting up an account, please contact [email protected]. Any questions related to your application materials or the position may be sent to Amber Trillo, HR Manager, at [email protected].

The privacy of applicants will be respected and preserved until the last phase of the hiring process. For example, references will be checked during the process of interviewing the finalists and with the applicant’s knowledge.

No Discrimination in Hiring

4Culture is committed to upholding and promoting equal opportunity in employment. We recognize that diverse perspectives, ideas, cultures, and life experiences of all employees are critical to our success. We are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace that reflects our residents, meets the needs of the communities we serve, and leverages the power of our employee's individual uniqueness. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to creed, age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical handicap, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability unless such limitations are necessary for the performance of the role and no less discriminatory alternatives are available.

This information is available in alternative format for persons with disabilities. TTY Relay: 711

To Apply

You will need to log in or create a 4Culture account in order to access the application. Apply online no later than Thursday, March 27, 2025, 5:00 pm PDT.

If you have questions regarding your account or setting up an account, please contact [email protected]. Any questions related to your application materials or the position may be sent to Amber Trillo, HR Manager, at [email protected].

The privacy of applicants will be respected and preserved until the last phase of the hiring process. For example, references will be checked during the process of interviewing the finalists and with the applicant’s knowledge.

03/27/2025