Job Summary
As a member of the museum’s senior leadership team, contribute to the development of short- and long-range educational, artistic, and engagement goals for the museum. Lead a staff responsible for interdisciplinary teaching, learning and engagement, serving both the Smith community and the broader public. Oversee all aspects of academic engagement, public and student programming, K-12 activities, and museum interpretation.
Supervise a team of 3 educators plus students, setting departmental goals to enhance SCMA’s academic role and integration in campus life and its commitment to K-12 and family audiences and the broader community. In furtherance of this work, build and maintain relationships with Smith College faculty, departments and centers and with community leaders, school district personnel, regional museum educators, and other stakeholders to promote collaboration and partnerships and to ensure that SCMA’s activities meet the needs of its audiences.
Exercising strategic and tactical leadership, guide museum-wide efforts to conceptualize and implement experiences advancing SCMA’s mission to promote inquiry and reflection by connecting people to art, ideas and each other. Work closely and collaboratively with museum colleagues to make the museum a center of curricular learning and cocurricular activity, promoting civic and cultural engagement. Oversee the development, delivery and analysis of public and student programs, working in coordination with colleagues across museum departments.
Provide leadership and vision for SCMA’s interpretive work to create a critical and inclusive lens allowing visitors to consider art through multiple perspectives and expanded narratives. Working with colleagues across museum departments, develop new strategies for interpretation that enhance visitor experiences of exhibitions and collections for diverse audiences in the museum’s galleries and digitally. Assess the effectiveness of interpretive resources for continuing improvement.
SCMA supports Smith College’s commitment to building a just and inclusive campus community founded in respect and trust by fostering an environment that elevates and amplifies diverse perspectives and voices. Work with museum staff and leadership to cultivate a culture of openness, curiosity and empathy and to advance SCMA’s commitments to diversity, equity, accessibility and inclusion (DEAI).
All College staff are expected to take appropriate actions to support a diverse workforce and participate in the College’s efforts to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment.
Essential Functions
Work with SCMA’s senior leadership team to set overall learning and interpretive goals for the museum and devise strategies and plans to achieve these goals.
Manage departmental staff in day-to-day operations, including developing and monitoring annual budget.
Develop strategic vision for museum programs, including coordination of annual institutional program plan, budget and contract development, and developing grants and other proposals for funding.
Provide vision for and oversee the development and assessment of interpretive materials for the museum’s collections and temporary exhibitions, using a variety of interpretive methods and technologies.
Cultivate academic exchange across campus and help conceptualize and promote interdisciplinary programs organized with academic departments and centers, including the activity of the Museums Concentration in concert with the SCMA Director and the Educator for Academic Programs.
Promote activities and programs that attract new and marginalized audiences to the museum.
Serve as an ambassador for SCMA to the campus, Five College, local, regional and alumnae communities and within the national museum education professional network.
Provide strategic leadership and manage efforts to assess educational programs and initiatives, including gathering and analyzing qualitative and quantitative data to evaluate programs, measuring and reporting impact, and seeking grants and funding.
Support funding efforts and participation in programs by partnering with colleagues in development and communications.
Minimum Qualifications
Minimum of 8 years’ relevant experience and at least 3 years’ experience supervising a team or in a departmental leadership position in museums.
Strong academic, education and art history background: Master’s degree required. Combination of education and relevant experience may be considered.
Applications will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
Please apply directly: https://smithcollege.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/smithcollege/job/Smith-College/Associate-Director-of-Education-and-Interpretation_R-202400020
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