Public Engagement and Learning Coordinator at the Weisman Art Museum at the University of Minnesota

Job Title: Public Engagement and Learning Coordinator

Job Status: Full-time

Location: Minneapolis, MN

Salary: $57,000 – $62,000

Description

The Public Engagement and Learning Coordinator is a key team player in driving the creation of meaningful educational content at the Weisman Art Museum (WAM). They create innovative inclusive experiences that actively engage visitors with the museum exhibitions, collections, and programs; inviting participation, reflection, and connection between visitors and art. Working collaboratively, they experiment with new approaches to accessibility and education, and continually assess and revise these with internal and external research partners. They will be a major contributor in the development of interactive and creative approaches to a more audience-engaged museum. This position is highly collaborative and works in concert with other museum departments to carry out the strategic vision of the museum through various cross-departmental initiatives, activities and experiences, including hands-on workshops, symposia, and community-centric initiatives. They work closely with the Director of Learning and Engagement in identifying, securing, and reporting on funding opportunities and grants for programs. Must have willingness to bring an open and experimental approach to understanding and advocating for new kinds of visitor experiences in museums, and in serving target constituencies identified in the institutional strategic plan (e.g.,diverse audiences, young adults, disability inclusion). Manages student tour guide program; provides general oversight to Program and Student Engagement Specialist, interns. All activities further the museum’s mission of promoting a campus community that respects, incorporates, and advances diversity, equity, and pluralism. 

Key responsibilities include: 

Develops, implements and collaborates on strategies, interpretations, and opportunities for engagement and learning at WAM (45%):

  • Work collaboratively across learning and curatorial departments to establish interpretive goals for exhibitions, collections and programs that prioritize visitor engagement and learning through reflection, creative participation, and empowering experiences;
  • Experiment with new interpretive approaches and manage the development and production of interpretive content; 
  • Collaborates with communications staff on the development of digital materials; 
  • Centers diversity, equity, access, inclusion and belonging through activities and initiatives;
  • Develop and maintain relationships with academic and community groups to promote museum programs and resources;
  • Research, develop, lead tours and workshops for curriculum integration and age-appropriate audiences;
  • Collaborate with museum staff, faculty members, and community partners to design and implement interdisciplinary programs that connect the museum’s collections and exhibits with academic curriculum and research;
  • Assist with community outreach and coordinate community group participation and advisory groups for a range of programs and initiatives;
  • Develop and contribute to audience research through available and new methods as well as first-hand experience with Weisman visitors;
  • Collect and administer surveys to track visitor engagement and satisfaction around exhibitions and programs, reporting findings to museum colleagues; 
  • Respond to requests of community schools and organizations to create content for educational resources, utilizing the museum’s collection to support learning goals;
  • Work with Marketing and Communications to provide information for advertisements, press coverage, web content, and other promotional materials in a timely manner. 

Supervision and Training (35%): 

  • Recruit, train, manage student tour guide cohort (6-8 students per academic year) 
  • Manages paid Museum Educators, when position is filled  
  • Work with Learning and Public Engagement Department team to deliver a training program for staff, student tour guides, front of house staff; including ongoing accessibility and inclusion training, and participate in annual assessments of interpretive staff;
  • Leads guided tours and facilitates interactive experiences for diverse audiences, including K-12 students, university students, families, and community groups;
  • Co-manage intern program; supervise interns on varied department related projects;
  • Provides general oversight of Student Engagement & Learning Specialist; 

Budget Management, Resource Development (15%): 

  • Support Department Director in the development and management of departmental budgets; 
  • Assists the Grants Manager with grant applications and reports for the Learning and Engagement Department; 
  • Prepare contracts and supporting documentation for speakers, presenters, writers, artists, and other contractors; 
  • Prepare reports, give internal presentations on budget related matters.

Professional Development (5%): 

  • The Learning & Engagement Manager is expected to be actively participating in the museum field, developing and maintaining relationships with other museum professionals, and participating in professional activities. 

Working Conditions and Atmosphere:
This is a full-time, hybrid position with a flexible schedule as required for implementation of responsibilities and related museum activities. Working hours may include some evenings and weekends. General mobility throughout museum properties required. 

Benefits

  • Yearly salary: $57,00-$62,000
  • The University also offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:
    • Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
    • Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Scholarship
    • Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
    • Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
    • University HSA contributions
    • Disability and employer-paid life insurance
    • Employee wellbeing program
    • Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
    • Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
    • Financial counseling services
    • Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

Requirements

Qualifications: 

  • BA/BS plus at least two years of experience or a combination of related education and work experience to equal at least six years of progressive experience in museum or other cultural institutions in planning and implementing programs, community engagement initiatives, exhibitions, visitor research, interpretation, and other activities for diverse audiences.
  • Knowledge of educational methodologies and philosophies, visitor research/evaluation, informal learning environments, and gallery teaching practices.
  • Experience managing people, budgets, programming and safety.
  • Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal skills, including the ability to tailor speech and writing to a variety of audiences and purposes.
  • Must demonstrate broad knowledge of art education and museum practices.
  • Project management skills, including budgeting. 

Apply via AAM