Linde Family Foundation Educator for College Audiences at Colby College Museum of Art

Job Title: Linde Family Foundation Educator for College Audiences 

Job Status: Full-time

Location: Waterville, ME

Salary: $50,000-$55,000

OVERVIEW
The Colby College Museum of Art benefits from a strong foundation that has successfully solidified the central role of object-based learning in the liberal arts curriculum at Colby College. The academic engagement department seeks to continue advancing the museum’s mission to provide a forum for learning through transdisciplinary dialogue in spaces that include the museum galleries on campus, and the Greene Block + Studios and Paul J. Schupf Art Center in downtown Waterville.

The Linde Family Foundation educator for College audiences is a critical member of the museum team. Reporting to the Linde Family Foundation curator of academic engagement, the educator works to integrate the museum’s permanent collections, special exhibitions, and fellowship programs into the Colby curriculum. The position collaborates with faculty and students to ensure that College audiences have access to a range of experiences with the museum to support their academic work.

THE MUSEUM AND ITS MISSION
The Colby College Museum of Art is a collecting and teaching museum dedicated to the preservation, display, and interpretation of the visual arts. We embrace within our collections works of art from diverse cultures and historical periods, with a focus on American art, and commitment to collecting and exhibiting contemporary art. We manage these resources for the benefit of the Colby College community, the region, and the nation, and we aspire to display works that embody the highest standards of achievement.

A COMMITMENT TO EQUITY AND INCLUSION
Working to advance equity and inclusion in the field of American art—and, by doing so, in the wider world—is core to our mission. We feel the urgency of national and campus conversations on inequality and are keenly aware of the unique responsibility that we have as an academic art museum—as a place where we can listen, ask questions, and challenge assumptions—to engage in this dialogue, and to act. We affirm the Colby Museum’s commitment to multidisciplinary teaching and learning and our potential for deep engagement with students will be leveraged in this effort toward fighting racialized violence, injustice, and inequality; and we encourage inquiries from candidates who will contribute to the diversity of our College, including its cultural and ethnic diversity.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Regularly teach or co-teach curriculum-based sessions centered on artworks on view in the museum’s spaces on campus and in downtown Waterville
  • In collaboration with faculty members and museum colleagues, prepare for curriculum-based sessions by developing lesson plans and assignments that embody a non-hierarchical and anti-racist pedagogy
  • Act as a liaison between faculty members and fellows at the museum’s Lunder Institute for American Art; plan and facilitate mutually beneficial curricular engagements 
  • Provide curatorial assistance for semester-long installations of artworks for curricular use in designated museum spaces by helping to develop and prepare checklists, conducting research, and writing interpretive content
  • With the curator of academic engagement, promote the museum’s value as a teaching and learning resource among faculty and students across campus and increase access to the museum
  • Collaborate with the curator of academic engagement and campus partners in the planning and execution of academic programs, including public lectures, research roundtables, symposia, and faculty workshops 
  • With the coordinator of campus and community collaboration, generate, execute, and promote co-curricular programming that advances the museum’s academic program initiatives 
  • With the guidance of the curator of academic engagement and in collaboration with the coordinator of campus and community collaboration, plan, develop, and execute professional development opportunities for students in the museum’s summer internship program
  • Manage logistics of class visits to the museum, in coordination with faculty schedules and the museum’s calendars
  • Maintain academic engagement database to track class visits and content; assist in assessment and data analysis to identify program successes and strategic goals; contribute to reports on the impact of this work to various stakeholders 
  • As a member of the Colby Museum’s staff, participate in regular meetings, such as weekly all-staffs, equity and racial justice learning series, and regular engagement team meetings, among others
  • Participate in professional development related to the incumbent’s goals and priorities, and contribute to the field as appropriate, through conference participation
  • Perform additional duties as assigned; duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time or without notice

 

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Bachelor’s degree or the equivalent in education and experience; advanced degree and relevant coursework in Art/Art History preferred
  • Minimum of 2-4 years of experience in a professional work environment 
  • Experience teaching with artworks or related teaching experience; instructional or engagement work in gallery or museum settings preferred
  • Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills, including strong relationship skills and ability to work with a diversity of people from different backgrounds and levels of experience with art 
  • Demonstrated ability to synthesize information and communicate key points
  • Excellent organizational skills, ability to consistently meet deadlines and follow through on tasks, and attention to detail  
  • Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills
  • Ability to handle confidential information tactfully and ability to exercise discretion
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office software and Google applications
  • Experience with collection management systems or databases, or ability to learn
  • Collaborative, constructive, and positive approach to work; ability to work effectively as part of a team
  • Strong, self-motivated work ethic, flexibility, and proven ability to work independently and collaboratively as a member of a diverse community
  • Appreciation for the value of a liberal arts education and commitment to fostering an equitable educational and work environment supportive of people from different cultures, backgrounds, and life paths

KEY RELATIONSHIPS:

This position reports to the Linde Family Foundation curator of academic engagement and is a member of the museum’s engagement team. The educator also works closely with the collections, installation, and curatorial staff. The position has regular interaction with Colby faculty, staff, and students.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

General open office and campus environment. Position involves sitting, although frequent movement is necessary. Occasional lifting is required. Computer usage involving repetitive hand/wrist motion is also necessary. Some night and weekend work required based on museum events.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

Successful and satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check). All students, faculty, and staff who are present on campus must be vaccinated and boostered against COVID-19, unless granted an exemption or accommodation by the College.

TO APPLY:

Interested candidates should apply electronically by clicking the “Apply” button on the Colby Careers website. Please submit a letter of interest including salary requirements, resume, and the contact information of three professional references. Materials should be addressed to:

Linde Family Foundation Educator for College Audiences – Search Committee
Office of Human Resources
Colby College
5500 Mayflower Hill
Waterville, ME  04901-8855