Curator, Education School and Community Engagement at Yale Center for British Art

The Education Department of the British Art Center is seeking a Curator of Education for School and Community Engagement. Reporting to the Senior Curator of Education, this position will cultivate and strengthen the Center’s relationships with the New Haven community and the city’s schools, as well as the wider community in the region. The post-holder will build upon and expand existing partnerships with K-12 schools, special needs audiences, and community organizations, as well as forging new relationships and developing programs for schools and the community. As the Center’s docents are the primary interface between the public and the Center, this position would be responsible for overseeing and managing the docent training program. The Center, a public art museum and research institute, is a world leader in the study and display of British art and culture, and uniquely positioned to serve both public and academic audiences.

This position is for someone who enjoys forging new collaborations with community members, demonstrates a steadfast commitment to diversity and inclusion, and thinks expansively about the transformative power of art to change individual lives and communities at large. This person will be intellectually curious, have a proactive attitude, and demonstrate empathy and emotional intelligence. The strongest applicant will have a background working with students and educators and a firm working knowledge of current debates around diversity and inclusion.

Strategizes ways to build reciprocal relationships between the Center and the New Haven community. Develops pedagogical and philosophical approaches that prioritize diversity and inclusion. Strongly advocates for the integration of collections into teaching for K-12 schools. Oversees existing and new programs that support community engagement with original works of art, including community day, family film festival, and summer programs. Grows collaborative relationships based on teaching from the collections with a wide range of K-12 schools and other local community partners. Responsible for the docent volunteer training program. Manages access programs for other-abled visitors and oversees consultants. Collaborates with other museums and collections at Yale for K-12 teaching and community engagement. Represents the Center at community events and neighborhood management team meetings.

Represents the University in the national and international museum community to share research and developments in K-12 and community collaborations. Supervises students, fellows, and interns. Manages the annual budget for the Education Department with the support of the department’s administrative assistant. Other duties, as assigned.

The information provided in the Essential Duties below is generic in nature and some duties may not be applicable; prospective applicants will find the information in the above Position Focus to be most relevant to the position. 

Essential Duties:

• Strategizes and strongly advocates for the integration of a collection or collections into teaching across the Yale curriculum.
• Conceives and oversees programs that support faculty teaching from original works of art, including faculty seminars, workshops, and study days.
• Grows collaborative relationships based on teaching from the collection(s) with a wide range of academic departments and programs.
• Conceives and facilitates object study sessions, working closely on specific faculty collaborations that support the interdisciplinary growth of academic affairs in ways that strengthen future partnerships.
• Conducts preparatory research necessary to ensure best practices in how faculty use the collection with their students.
• Collaborates with other museums and other collections at Yale for teaching purposes.
• Collaborates with Education staff to develop a pedagogical and philosophical approach to teaching with objects and cross-disciplinary thinking.
• Represents the University in the national and international academic museum community for the purpose of sharing research and developments in museum-based course collaborations.
• Supervise departmental staff, including assigned fellows and interns.
• Other duties, as assigned.

Required Education and Experience:

• Master’s Degree in Arts, Art History, Education or related field and five years of professional museum experience in the areas of education or curatorial or an equivalent education and experience. Comprehensive knowledge related to one or more collection areas.

• Excellent interpersonal skills. Ability to collaborate and communicate effectively. Comfortable with public speaking and representing the Center through engagement such as professional conferences and seminars.

• Ability to think strategically toward the growth and development of educational and community outreach programs and develop effective collaborations between institutions and local communities.

• Excellent writing, grammatical and proof-reading skills and ability to compose effective written communications, including grants.

• Self-directed and proactive. Ability to work independently. Excellent organization and management skills.

• Previous experience that includes a high level of knowledge and expertise in the field of K-12 teaching, art history, or community engagement.

Preferred Education, Experience and Skills:

• Comprehensive knowledge of art history, museum studies, and community engagement. Knowledge of history of British art desirable.

Weekend Hours Required? Yes

Evening Hours Required? Occasional

Drug Screen: No

Health Screening: No 

Apply:

To apply for the position of Curator of Education for School and Community Engagement, please submit an online application through STARS (STARS requisition number: 53655BR). Paper applications will not be accepted. Please make sure to include the following documents with your application: cover letter, full CV, and the names and contact information of three references.