Position Overview
The Schools and Educator Engagement Coordinator is an experienced and creative museum
professional who directs a comprehensive strategy for K‐12 student and educator outreach, programs, and resources that strengthen the Spencer Museum of Art’s position as a site for personal learning and civic engagement. Reporting to the Director of Education and Interpretation, this position ensures that gallery and outreach programs and resources are creative, relevant, and current, with a particular emphasis on inclusivity and accessibility as informed by the Spencer’s commitment to building capacity for diversity, equity, access, and inclusion. In collaboration with external Museum and K-12 education colleagues, the Schools and Educator Engagement Coordinator conceptualizes, develops, implements, and evaluates programs and partnerships that engage with schools and educators (locally, statewide, nationally, and internationally) for meaningful encounters with the Museum’s collection and artistic programs and opportunities for creative expression.
Vision and Strategy:
· Advance Museum key values and goals and University of Kansas strategic initiatives.
· Establish priorities for the Museum as a part of an education leadership team with the Director of Education and Interpretation and the Deputy Director for Public Practice, Curatorial and Research, Andrew W. Mellon Director of Academic Programs, with an emphasis on identifying and developing curricular and research partnerships between the Museum, University, and communities (locally, statewide, nationally and internationally).
· Identify and develop measureable outcomes, success criteria, and assessment tools, and implement evaluation.
· Keep current with educational practices and scholarship through a wide network of colleagues in the field, other disciplines, literature reviews, and research.
This position is partially grant funded and contingent on future funding to remain full-time. Currently, funds are secured for the 1.0 FTE position for five (5) years. Unless additional funding can be secured, the position will decrease to a .50 FTE appointment after 5 years.
Job Description
Schools Engagement 65%
· Lead Museum/Schools Program for the 21st-Century (MSP21) initiative – develop, implement, and evaluate school partnerships and programs.
· Assist with the Partners in Education Across Kansas (PEAK) initiative.
· Develop and steward research and training partnerships with museum colleagues, university faculty and students and USD 497 School District administrators and teachers.
· Develop and implement resources and programs for K-12 audiences both curricular and extracurricular.
· Assist with the preparation of grants and grant reports as well as cultivation of funders and stakeholders.
· Document and share findings with the museum field locally, statewide, nationally, and internationally through conference presentations, publications, and reports.
· Participate in network of museum and school educators.
Docent/Guide Program 20%
· Manage the community-volunteer docent/guide program.
· Develop and create gallery scripts and training materials.
· Plan, develop, and conduct docent/guide training.
· Recruit new docents/guides.
Interpretive Programs 15%)
· Work with colleagues to develop and implement interpretive resources and programs in the galleries.
· Provide tours and programs as needed.
Position Requirements
1. This position can have a hybrid work arrangement. Incumbent may work some portion of hours remotely and on campus based on arrangements with supervisor and the Museum.
2. Occasional evening and weekend work hours required.
Required Qualifications
1. Master’s degree or Bachelor’s degree plus three years of related experience.
2. Demonstrated experience in developing, implementing, and evaluating innovative educational programs and projects.
3. Experience working with diverse populations and organizations.
4. Teaching experience in art-related fields.
5. Experience recruiting, overseeing and evaluating docent corps and/or other volunteer groups or advisory boards.
6. Demonstrated experience with planning and implementing program evaluation or assessment.
7. Excellent communication skills as evidenced by application materials.
Preferred Qualifications
1. Five or more years of art museum education or other relevant experience.
2. Knowledge of current theories and strategies in education, ability to translate as appropriate.
3. Advanced knowledge of museum education and audience development.
4. Experience and familiarity with local community organizations and university and regional education organizations.
5. Experience identifying, applying for, and reporting on external funding from a variety of agencies.
6. Prior work experience that required excellent organizational, interpersonal and collaboration skills.
7. One or more years of supervisory experience.
Contact Information to Applicants
Kristina Walker, kewalker@ku.edu
Additional Candidate Instruction
A complete application includes:
1. Cover letter addressing how you meet the required and preferred qualifications.
2. Resume.
3. Contact information for three professional references (including at least one previous or current supervisor).
4. Completion of the online application.
Application review begins Wednesday, October 6, 2021. To ensure consideration, apply no later than October 31, 2021.
This position is partially grant funded and contingent on future funding to remain full-time. Currently, funds are secured for the 1.0 FTE position for five (5) years. Unless additional funding can be secured, the position will decrease to a .50 FTE appointment after 5 years.
Categories: Job Postings