Salary: $15.00 - $16.00 Hourly
Location : Cedar City, UT
Job Type: Part- Time Hourly
Job Number: 202600099
Division: College of Performing & Visual Arts
Department: Southern Utah Museum of Art
Opening Date: 07/02/2026
FLSA: Exempt
Position Summary
Southern Utah Museum of Art, on the campus of Southern Utah University in Cedar City, features the artwork of regional artists known for their landscapes such as Maynard Dixon, Edith Hamlin, and Jimmie F. Jones, as well as emerging and distinguished artists from around the country and the world. Within SUMA's holdings is an especially robust collection of prints that includes well-known artists such as Marc Chagall, James McNeill Whistler, Kawase Hasui, Thomas Hart Benton, and Käthe Kollwitz, among others. Named the best-designed museum in Utah by Architectural Digest, SUMA's building, designed by Brooks + Scarpa and inspired by the region's famed slot canyons, is an artwork in and of itself.
Under the direction of the Director of Curatorial Affairs, and as a Team Lead, the Collections Coordinator & Preparator is responsible for adhering to best practices as they relate to collections and loan management. This part-time staff position will oversee collections management including the collections database, condition reporting, and storage. This position will oversee the management of the Campus Collection, assist with Education/Class Visit selections, and help facilitate Permanent Collections projects through database organization, artwork research & rehousing, grant writing & fulfillment, and managing support staff as they are involved in these projects. This position will also assist the Exhibitions Manager & Designer with exhibition preparation and implementation, particularly with regards to incoming/outgoing loans and framing, and gallery rotations supervision.
The Collections Coordinator & Preparator is expected to maintain an appropriately high standard of professionalism, and will work collegially and cooperatively with members of the Senior Leadership Team, Team Leads, student employees, and others.
Essential Functions
Collections
Under the direction of the the Director of Curatorial Affairs, maintain the Collections Management Plan, including:
- Administering collections management procedures
- Overseeing the management and implementation of the Campus Loan Program
- Overseeing the integrated pest management plan
- Overseeing collections inventory
- Overseeing the accessioning process of new acquisitions and gifts
- Overseeing deaccessioning procedures
- Develop and implement collections storage processes and procedures with the Director of Curatorial Affairs
- Coordinate and oversee rehousing plan for objects
- Act as Lead Registrar, having responsibility of database/data entry organization, information and image quality control
- Participate in Collections Committee designation meetings
- Coordinate with SUU Facilities and IT for collections-related matters. Work as liaison, in addition to the Exhibitions Manager & Designer, with SUU Facilities and IT for work orders in open collections and the art vault.
Exhibitions
- Act as Lead Registrar to aid the Director of Curatorial Affairs with reviewing loan agreements, consulting with Exhibitions Manager & Designer on any stipulations or restrictions. Compile loan agreements paperwork and organization in database.
- Oversee proper procedures as they relate to unpacking and condition reporting artwork before display, as well as condition reporting and repacking after de-installation, and preparing artwork for transport.
- With the Exhibitions Manager & Designer, co-lead gallery rotations, supervising student staff, coordinating installation tasks, helping with quality control, and assisting with special install needs/projects. *Collaborate with Exhibitions Manager & Designer with preparation of objects for display as needed.
- Assist with regional artwork transportation as needed, with the possibility of longer trips with overnight stays.
- Oversee any framing and deframing of artworks from permanent collection. Assist Exhibitions Manager & Designer with other framing projects as needed.
Administration
- Supervise a team of one or more additional team members, with opportunities to support interns in conjunction with the Director of Curatorial Affairs.
- Participate as a Team Lead, attending all relevant meetings. *Responsible for the team's purchase card and submitting documentation in a timely manner to the Business Manager.
- Assist Director of Curatorial Affairs and Exhibitions Manager & Designer with managing team budget.
- Work with the Director of Curatorial Affairs for onboarding and training including object handling, setting performance standards, and providing timely, constructive feedback in addition to regular performance reviews.
- Organize and maintain the team's Google Drive and necessary documents.
- Maintain certification with SUU Motor Pool for the SUMA Van.
Working Conditions
Collections
- Use of ladders to move artwork to and from higher storage areas.
- Occasional lifting of heavy objects (with other team members).
- May be standing for long periods of time while organizing artwork.
- Driving the SUMA van for artwork pickups (local and out of town, sometimes staying overnight in a hotel).
Gallery rotations
- Standing/walking most of the day.
- Moving heavy packaging/crates.
- Occasional use of ladders for artwork installation.
- Occasional use/operation of a Genie lift.
- Painting and moving walls.
Frame shop
- Use of power tools.
- Use of hand tools.
- Exposure to wood dust, metal shavings, and chemicals.
- Standing for long periods of time.
- Occasional lifting heavy materials.
- Occasional equipment maintenance.
Education & Experience
**Proposed Education and Experience Requirements:**
Minimum Qualifications
- Minimum of Bachelor's degree in an art or museum-related field, plus two years of experience in a museum, gallery, or archive setting.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills; and the ability to communicate effectively in speaking to both individuals and groups is required.
- Proven organizational and interpersonal skills including the ability to work across departments and with colleagues, artists, and other museum professionals
- Experience and comfort using tools and framing equipment
- Detail oriented
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's degree is preferred. An interest in collections care/management is preferred.
- Experience with collections and database management in comparable institutions such as museums, galleries, other cultural institutions or other similar type institutions is preferred.
Supplemental Information
This is position is contingent on funding.
Due to recent changes in H1B visa fees, Southern Utah University is no longer able to sponsor international faculty and staff that require an H1B visa and are currently living outside of the United States.
Southern Utah University does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.
For more information or contact information, please visit
In accordance with Utah State Code 53A-3-410, appointment to this position is contingent upon the successful passing of a background check.
This position is not eligible for benefits.
