Educator, K-12 and Family Programs, Smart Museum

Department
 

AI Feitler Center/Academic Initiatives

About the Department
 

As the fine arts museum of the University of Chicago, the Smart Museum of Art is a site for rigorous inquiry and exchange that encourages the examination of complex issues through the lens of art objects and artistic practice. Through strong scholarly and community collaborations and a welcoming approach to its exhibitions, collections, publications, research and teaching, and public programs, the Smart plays a dynamic role in expanding artistic canons, rethinking received histories, introducing new perspectives, and engaging diverse communities—locally, nationally, and internationally. The Smart will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2024.

Job Summary
 

The position of Museum Educator, K-12 Initiatives is designed to deepen the Smart Museum’s commitment to the arts and civic ecosystem in its own neighborhood, Chicago’s South Side. Reporting to the Director of the Feitler Center for Academic Inquiry and Head of Education, the position will oversee all aspects of K-12 learning initiatives, youth and family programming, and South Side neighborhood partnerships. They will closely collaborate with Smart staff, students, and colleagues at the University of Chicago to create and co-create meaningful experiences with art across generations and to integrate arts education in and outside of the classroom. The Museum Educator, K-12 Initiatives will be responsible for supporting fiscally-sound departmental operations with sustainable initiatives, effective workflows, and a vibrant workplace culture.
This is a full-time, benefits eligible position.

Responsibilities

• Participates in the conception, development, and implementation of innovative and meaningful K-12 learning initiatives. 
• Creates and grows engagement strategies and identifies collaborative programming opportunities with local school communities, educational leaders, arts educators, cultural and philanthropic organizations, and other stakeholders. 
• Develops gallery guides and other learning materials, teacher professional development programs, curriculum workshops, open house events and more that serve to connect K-12 educators to exhibitions, collections, and resources at the Smart Museum.  
• Oversees the coordination, scheduling, and leading of school and community tours of the Smart’s exhibitions and public art.  
• Works closely with the Feitler Center to hire, train, supervise and mentor undergraduate and graduate students, post-baccalaureate and post-doctoral fellows, and other professionals in working with K-12 education and community engagement at the Smart. 
• Proactively builds relationships and collaborations with students, faculty, staff, and organizations across the University of Chicago to research and develop collaborative models for K-12 education. 
• Maintains current knowledge of best practices, new tools and methodologies, and standards in arts education, museum education, and through the Chicago Board of Education. 
• Builds, sustains, and strengthens bi-directional partnerships and co-creative programs with South Side organizations and community members. 
• Maintains existing and develops new neighborhood-based outreach programs, including but not limited to public art tours, family days, teen programs, health and wellness projects with UChicago Medicine, and pop-up engagements in Chicago’s South Side.  
• Drives the Smart’s participation in community-driven programs and projects in the South Side. 
• Representing the Smart Museum, participates in peer committees, public presentations, special events, community publications, and other opportunities for community building at the University and in Chicago.  
• Convenes and coordinates a new South Side Advisory Committee. 
• Collaborates in the creation, maintenance, and refinement of a team-wide project management database. 
• Prepares and tracks relevant budgets, paperwork, and project documentation and communications. 
• Performs regular assessments and provides reports on K-12 related learning and South Side engagement initiatives. 
• In collaboration with other Smart Staff, writes and edits content for the promotion of learning and engagement. 
• Researches, develops, and collaborates in the writing of grants, cases for support, and other fundraising materials to fund learning and engagement programs. 
• Uses moderate/solid understanding and experience to administer the delivery of services to program participants and/or beneficiaries.
• Sets and communicates program priorities and performance standards and assesses operations using these criteria. Plans and conducts quality assurance reviews and recommends changes as appropriate.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications
 

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

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Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

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Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Advanced graduate degree in a related field.

Experience:

• 4 years of relevant work experience managing programs.  
• Background in a museum setting and knowledge of museum education and/or arts education theory and practice.   
• Prior experience with K-12 schools, curriculum, or programs. Working knowledge of Chicago Public Schools a plus.  
• Fundraising experience.

Preferred Competencies  

• Demonstrable background in developing effective, collaborative partnerships and creating programs that empower communities.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. 
• Proven ability to work effectively independently, in a team environment, and collaborating across organizational structures; dedicated to fostering a workplace of belonging.
• Exceptional written/oral communication, organization, and time management skills. 
• Versed in introducing and integrating arts education across disciplinary classrooms and/or interests. 
• Engage different learning styles and coordinate experiential learning opportunities. 
• Solid understanding of the University of Chicago and/or working within and through an institution for higher education. 
• Strong project management, problem-solving, and conflict resolution skills.  

Application Documents  

• Resume/CV (required) 
• Cover Letter (preferred) 

When applying, the document(s) MUST  be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family
 

Administration & Management

Role Impact
 

Individual Contributor

FLSA Status
 

Exempt

Pay Frequency
 

Monthly

Scheduled Weekly Hours
 

37.5

Benefits Eligible
 

Yes

Drug Test Required
 

No

Health Screen Required
 

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
 

No

Posting Statement
 

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

 

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