CAROLYN B. PADWA
Santa Fe,NM
Summary
Experienced Registrar and Collections Specialist with over 30 years in museum and exhibition management, specializing in traveling exhibitions, loan logistics, and collection systems and storage. Proven ability to streamline processes, manage complex international projects, and collaborate effectively with curators, artists, and institutional partners.
Overview
39
39
years of professional experience
Work History
Registrar
Freelance/Contract Registrar
Santa Fe, USA
09.2022 - Current
Senior Registrar for Exhibitions
Albright-Knox Art Gallery
Buffalo, USA
04.2011 - 05.2022
- Coordinated comprehensive exhibition logistics and management to ensure seamless execution.
- Generated and negotiated exhibition contracts with tour venues and executed loan agreements with lenders
- Coordinated all shipping arrangements for incoming loans to exhibitions - including assembly, consolidation, dispersal and inter-venue transport
- Supervised unpacking, installation, de-installation, and repacking of loans and collection works to traveling exhibitions
- Executed condition reports and coordinated and documented conservation treatments
- Managed fine art insurance coverage for exhibitions, including Federal Indemnity applications, to mitigate risk and protect assets.
- Oversaw exhibition budgets and contributed to financial planning.
Manager and Registrar, Touring Exhibitions
Whitney Museum of American Art
New York, USA
12.2002 - 01.2008
- Oversaw planning and execution of exhibitions organized and circulated by the museum, ensuring alignment with institutional goals.
- Developed and monitored budgets and fee structures for domestic and international traveling exhibitions, ensuring financial viability.
- Researched and secured appropriate venues to host traveling exhibitions and created, generated, negotiated, and executed exhibition contracts with participating venues
- Acted as lead Registrar, overseeing insurance, conservation, shipping, storage, condition reports, installation of works owned by the museum, and maintenance of the exhibition and collection databases. Additional experience included conducting ongoing inventory projects and travel with collection objects and exhibitions
- Supervised and trained Assistant Registrar for Touring Exhibitions, enhancing team capability and ensuring smooth operations.
Registrar
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
New York, USA
08.1998 - 01.2002
- Coordinated logistical and technical aspects of incoming loans for large scale, multi-venue art exhibitions to ensure seamless integration of artworks
- Hired, trained, and supervised art handling personnel for complex installations and de-installations, enhancing team capabilities and project execution
- Managed contractual matters, negotiated insurance, and oversaw conservation, packing, and shipping of art objects to ensure compliance and safeguard artworks
- Created, developed, and managed budgets
Associate Registrar
Yale University Art Gallery
New Haven, USA
03.1993 - 07.1998
- Coordinated and managed outgoing loans from permanent collection for special exhibitions, ensuring compliance with budgets, loan documents, art handling, packing, shipping, insurance, condition reports, conservation, customs procedures, and courier arrangements
- Created and implemented registration procedures, supervised collection records computerization, and overhauled loan policies to enhance operational efficiency
- Conducted inventory projects and reconciliation
- Trained and supervised department assistants, students, and volunteers, fostering skills and knowledge in collection management
- Served as courier for art shipments, traveling domestically and internationally to ensure safe delivery.
Assistant Registrar
HIGH MUSEUM OF ART
Atlanta, USA
08.1987 - 01.1990
- Supervised outgoing loans for special exhibitions, overseeing logistics including packing, crating, insurance, condition reporting, conservation, shipping, and customs procedures
- Managed courier logistics for outgoing shipments, ensuring timely delivery and proper documentation.
- Managed collection database and supervised photographic services while coordinating exhibition wall graphics and addressing public and scholarly research inquiries
- Coordinated outgoing loans from permanent collection, ensuring compliance with museum standards and successful exhibition integration
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Art History
Emory University
Atlanta, GA05-1987
Skills
- The Museum System
- Mimsy
- Database management
- Access
- Excel
- Word
- PowerPoint
- File maker Pro
- Microsoft Office Suite
- PDF Expert
Timeline
Registrar
Freelance/Contract Registrar
09.2022 - Current
Senior Registrar for Exhibitions
Albright-Knox Art Gallery
04.2011 - 05.2022
Manager and Registrar, Touring Exhibitions
Whitney Museum of American Art
12.2002 - 01.2008
Registrar
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
08.1998 - 01.2002
Associate Registrar
Yale University Art Gallery
03.1993 - 07.1998
Assistant Registrar
HIGH MUSEUM OF ART
08.1987 - 01.1990
Bachelor of Arts - Art History
Emory University