Description
The Samek Art Museum is a program of Bucknell University that creates meaningful encounters between artists, students, scholars, the public and works of art. The Galleries present original, traveling, and collection exhibitions and public programs that cover the range of art history with an emphasis on contemporary art. The Museum maintains an active collection of over 5,000 objects, including 450 works installed across the campus. The gallery programs and/or manages 3 spaces – the Samek Art Gallery on campus (including offices, work-room, and collection study room), Downtown Art Gallery, and off-site collections storage – totaling 4,500 square feet of exhibition and program space plus 3,000 of storage and work space. The Museum produces, on average, 12 exhibitions, 60 public programs, and 10 campus events annually.
The Public Programs & Outreach Manager develops and implements the museum’s education programs and outreach activities. The Public Programs & Outreach Manager reports to the Museum Director and fulfills their duties in accordance with campus, state, and federal policies and laws as well as in keeping with museum and gallery professional practices. This is a full-time, 12 month, benefits eligible position.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Public Programs
• Work with Director to plan public programs that enhance exhibitions through museum education, interpretation, and social engagement.
• Produce artist talks, scholarly lectures, panels, gallery tours, discussion groups, workshops, and social events.
• Engage campus faculty and schoolteachers in academic outreach; coordinate and lead class tours; arrange artist visits to classes, studios.
• Engage the public and community organizations as museum participants and visitors.
• Arrange travel, lodging, and payment for visiting artists and speakers.
• Secure speaker agreements and maintain files.
• Record selected programs and distribute via website and social media.
• Evaluate attendance and level of engagement and learning from programs and improve.
Outreach and Marketing
• Work with Director to develop annual outreach and marketing plan that reaches priority targeted audiences, increases museum visibility generally, and leverages resources for maximum benefit.
• Write outreach and marketing material, incorporate curatorial content produced by Director, proofread, and deploy both across appropriate communications vehicles.
• Maintain timely and dynamic public information resources: campus events calendar, gallery blog and social media, posters, etc.
• Work with campus Design and Print, Publications, and Mail to disseminate email newsletter and printed season program.
• Serve as Museum media relations manager; work with campus Communications Office to produce press releases and actively seek press coverage. Produce press preview receptions. Maintain and expand museum mailing lists. Manage production and publication of brochures and catalogs. Regularly reach out to media and community organizations to seek and activate opportunities to promote or advertise museum exhibitions and programs.
Event Management
• Maintain up-to-date shared museum master calendar of public programs and events.
• Register events with campus Events Management, reserve rooms and equipment.
• Receive and coordinate requests to use museum facilities by campus, faculty, student groups, and community organizations.
• Coordinate with campus Catering, Facilities, and other organizations to schedule and produce events.
• Set-up and take-down of museum events.
• Open/Close gallery during off-hours for special events.
• Work with Operations Coordinator to schedule student attendants for events.
Student Docents and Volunteers
• Serve as primary Museum liaison to Gallery Engagement Team.
• Develop and manage student docent program. Work with Operations Coordinator to train student employees as museum guides and keep student employees trained in ongoing exhibitions and programs.
• Work with Operations Coordinator to train and supervise student employees as outreach assistants.
Visitor Services
• Ensure adequate signage and public information about gallery hours, policies, and programs. Maintain and update video wall and video window.
• Produce exhibition and program signage, wall panels, and labels.
• Provide public with printed material about museum, exhibitions, and programs and manage requests to distribute materials from external departments and organizations on-site.
• Receive questions and feedback from visitors and handle situations that student museum guides are not prepared to handle.
Diversity & Inclusion Expectation:
• Actively contribute to Bucknell’s efforts to foster a diverse and inclusive campus community..
Minimum Qualifications and Requirements:
• Graduate degree in Art History, Museum Studies, or closely related field.
• A minimum of 1 year professional experience in an art gallery or museum in functional areas detailed in the job description
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively as an independent self-starter and effectively manage multiple priorities
• Demonstrated ability to work across diverse cultures and styles at all levels within and external to the campus community.
• Demonstrated ability to speak comfortably in front of both small and large groups
• Valid PA driver’s license (or ability to get one within 30 days)
• Availability to work evenings and weekends, as scheduled
• Demonstrated facility with MS Office, Google calendar, and online social media platforms
Application Instructions:
In order to be considered for the position, all applicants are required to submit online a candidate profile, a letter of interest, a current resume, and a list of three references through the following site: http://careers.bucknell.edu
Bucknell University provides equal opportunity without regard to race, color, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, religion, national or ethnic origin, marital status, veteran status or disability in admissions, employment and in all of its educational programs and activities.
About Bucknell –
Bucknell University believes that students learn best in a diverse, inclusive community and is therefore committed to academic excellence through diversity in its faculty, staff, and students. We seek candidates who are committed to Bucknell’s efforts to create a climate that fosters the growth and development of a diverse student body, and we welcome applications from members of groups that have been historically underrepresented in higher education. Bucknell University is a private, highly ranked, national liberal arts institution that also offers strong professional programs in engineering, business, education, and music. Located in Central Pennsylvania along the Susquehanna River, Bucknell is nestled in the Borough of Lewisburg, an architectural gem that has been ranked as one of America’s best small towns.
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