Association of Academic Museums and Galleries

Department Information

The Eskenazi Museum of Art at Indiana University (IU) seeks to hire a Patricia and Joel Meier Chair of Education who will develop a creative, mission-driven strategy for learning and programming that values authentic experiences with original works of art in order to support a vibrant teaching museum with a global collection that spans ancient to contemporary art. Eskenazi Museum is at an exciting juncture, the senior leadership team is in the process of implementing a five-year DEAI strategic plan and exploring ways to broaden our audience impact through new programs. While furthering current initiatives and building on areas of strength, we hope to bring a fresh vision that will further develop the museum’s university engagement, art therapy/wellness programs, and public activities with innovative and compelling learning experiences and programs that will engage IU students and new audiences. The education department includes managers of university; arts-based wellness; pre-K–12 teacher, student, and family; tours and interpretation; and public experiences. The department offers comprehensive course-connected experiences at the university level and pre-K–12 school visitation programs, as well as a graduate assistantship program, a volunteer docent corps, community educational partnerships, and a range of public programming for all ages.

A major museum renovation, which was completed in 2019, included the introduction of new learning spaces in our I. M. Pei–designed building. These spaces include two technology-equipped object viewing rooms, three new galleries, an art studio, and the Kimberly and John Simpson Center for Education. Since the education department’s inception, the Eskenazi Museum has seen key successes in several areas, including rural outreach and wellness activities. The museum was also the first university art museum to hire an art therapist on staff, and our art therapy program has garnered national attention for its groundbreaking initiatives. In the past four years, the education department has added four positions to support its robust program and to anticipate continuing growth.

Job Summary

Department Specific Responsibilities

• Develop and implement creative, outcome-based learning opportunities for IU students and learners of all ages in full collaboration with other museum departments, including Curatorial Affairs
• Conceive, lead, and evaluate innovative interpretive solutions and programs that are inclusive, relevant, and accessible with an emphasis on engaging university faculty and students with the museum’s collection and featured exhibitions
• Align learning and engagement programs and practices with the museum’s commitment to DEAI
• Collaborate on initiatives to include new voices within our programming and interpretative materials
• Understand the needs of the communities served by the museum, define priority audiences, and develop specific strategies and programs to meet defined needs, objectives, and priorities
• Develop, implement, and track metrics and continuously conduct evaluations on programming and community partnerships through both internal and external reporting to ensure that all programming furthers the museum’s goals of expanding, diversifying, and deepening audience engagement
• Work with colleagues to more effectively implement the use of technology within and beyond the museum and develop content for digital engagement tools, both remote and in-museum applications
• Fundraise collaboratively, developing grant proposals and cultivating private support under the guidance of the Director of Development
• Plan and manage department budget based on annual operating plans and monitor to ensure programs are operating within budget
• Provide visionary and strategic leadership to reengage pre-K–12 school programs as they return to the museum after COVID
• Conceive and implement a programmatic vision that delivers on our commitment to make our collections, exhibitions, and scholarship accessible to IU students and the broader public.
• Fosters an inclusive museum environment in line with the museum’s Strategic Plan.
• Oversees a staff of 5 full-time and 1 part-time employees, plus a cohort of volunteers, apprentices, and interns.
• Prioritizes the development of interpretive strategies to engage and inform students and visitors, and provide training, support, and coaching to museum guides and other staff in interpretive techniques.
• Collaborates with departments across the museum to integrate interpretive techniques and tools into the permanent collection galleries and featured exhibition plans.
• Originates and inspires enthusiastic relationships with university faculty and administration, educators, artists, scholars, art historians, civic and community members, donors, and foundations to broaden and deepen interest in and support for the museum’s programs.
• Establishes an IU student museum advisory council; greater collaboration opportunities with faculty and campus departments, including art history; and an emphasis on learning and programming opportunities for IU students.
• Conceives, implements, and oversees the museum’s collaborations with university faculty and students, supporting an interdisciplinary, diverse, and innovative approach to object-based teaching and research that expands the teaching mission of the museum. Their efforts will strengthen the museum’s educational role by creating opportunities that support and encourage faculty to teach from the collection and featured exhibitions.

General Responsibilities

• Provides the highest level of operational leadership and coordination of assigned staff members to define museum services methodologies and standards; provides direction and guidance on high priority museum services projects/initiatives.
• Establishes short-term business plans and long-term operational objectives, including managing project timelines/deliverables and developing resource plans for multi-project/multi-phase museum initiatives.
• Conducts a variety of personnel actions to include, but not limited to hiring, promotion, performance management, and dismissal.
• Manages high-level assignments and allocation of museum resources, including negotiating and coordinating initiatives that involve staff in other departments/areas/teams; may coordinate large-scale museum projects with a wide audience in support of academic initiatives.
• Makes budgetary recommendations/proposals based on resource needs and ensures cost containment.
• Researches and stays up-to-date on new industry museum services standards, procedures, trends, and protocols; responsible for the implementation of new protocols/procedures to address business needs.
• Works collaboratively with other museum leaders across departments in recommending standards, best practices, and related policies/procedures.
• Prepares management reports and summaries for senior administration, executive, steering and advisory committees; acts as advisor to executive committees; serves on various university committees, communities of practice, and task-forces related to museum services.

Qualifications

EDUCATION

Required: Bachelor’s degree in museum services or related field

Preferred: Bachelor’s degree in Art Education, Art History, Humanities, Museum Studies, Museum Education, Community Organizing and Advocacy, or related field, MA preferred

WORK EXPERIENCE

Required: 4 years in museum services or related field; 1 year of management experience in museum services or related field

Preferred: 6 years of progressive work experience, including three years leading teams or projects

Combinations of related education and experience may be considered

SKILLS

Required

• Proficient communication skills
• Maintains a high degree of professionalism
• Demonstrates time management and priority setting skills
• Demonstrates a high commitment to quality
• Excellent organizational skills
• Excellent collaboration and team building skills
• Effectively coaches and delivers constructive feedback
• Instills commitment to organizational goals
• Demonstrates excellent judgment and decision making skills
• Effective conflict management skills
• Builds and manages effective teams

Preferred

• Comprehensive knowledge of art history
• Demonstrates experience in leading the development and implementation of interdisciplinary, diverse, and innovative approaches to museum interpretation, and programming for academic and adult audiences
• Demonstrates understanding of, and receptiveness to, the uses of emerging technologies in museum education
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in both learning and management settings
• Strong leadership, strategic planning, creative and critical thinking, problem-solving, and project management skills
• High emotional intelligence, excellent interpersonal skills, and the ability to establish a strong rapport and cultivate collegial relationships with staff at all levels of the museum, including the senior leadership team, within the education team, and across departments
• Ability to lead, inspire, teach, mentor, and motivate a dedicated team
• Capable of thinking broadly and holistically about the museum’s educational experiences and ensure that they form a cohesive and complementary whole
• Expertise in teaching, visitor motivation, accessibility, and modes of response and participation
• Experience in collaborating on fundraising initiatives, including writing grant applications
• Demonstrates self-awareness and commitment to professional growth

Working Conditions/Demands

This role requires the ability to effectively communicate and to operate a computer and other standard office productivity equipment. The position involves sedentary work as well as periods of time moving around an office environment and the campus. The person in this role must be able to perform the essential functions with or without an accommodation.

Work Location

Eskenazi Museum of Art, Bloomington, Indiana

Salary Range

$75,000-$85,000 annual

Benefits Overview

Indiana University offers a wide array of benefits including:

• Multiple plan options for medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Health Savings Account with generous IU contribution
• Life insurance, LTD, and AD&D options
• Base retirement plan contribution from IU
• Additional supplemental retirement plan options
• Tuition benefit for IU classes
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Generous Paid Time Off
• Paid Parental Leave

Posting Disclaimer

This posting is scheduled to close at 11:59 pm EST on the advertised Close Date. This posting may be closed at any time at the discretion of Indiana University, but will remain open for a minimum of 5 business days.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Indiana University is an equal employment and affirmative action employer and a provider of ADA services. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment based on individual qualifications. Indiana University prohibits discrimination based on age, ethnicity, color, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, disability status or protected veteran status. Indiana University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its educational programs and activities, including employment and admission, as required by Title IX. Questions or complaints regarding Title IX may be referred to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights or the university Title IX Coordinator. See Indiana University’s Notice of Non-Discrimination here which includes contact information.

To Apply and For More Information

To apply for this position and for more information, please visit the Jobs at IU website at https://jobs.iu.edu/. This is a staff position open to all external candidates, Job ID 303043. For more information about the Eskenazi Museum of Art, please visit https://artmuseum.indiana.edu/. Please submit any questions about the position to Steve Cook, cooksb@indiana.edu. No phone calls please.