Museum Educator at El Museo del Barrio
Job Title: Museum Educator
Job Status: Freelance
Location: New York, NY
Salary: $25 to $125 (hourly)
Title: Museum Educator
Department: Education
Works for: Interim Director of Edu & Public Programs, Manager of Education
Status: Freelance
El Museo del Barrio, founded by a coalition of Puerto Rican educators, artists, and activists, is the nation’s leading Latino and Latin American cultural institution. The Museum welcomes visitors of all backgrounds to discover the artistic landscape of these communities through its extensive Permanent Collection, varied exhibitions and publications, bilingual public programs, educational activities, festivals, and special events.
SCOPES AND PURPOSE:
Freelance museum educators are sought for delivering in-person programs at the museum, virtual programs, and off-site programs that engage students, families, adults, and seniors, including individuals with cognitive, sensory, physical, emotional, and behavioral disabilities. El Museo’s education programs build upon the Museum’s unique mission and history, Permanent Collection, exhibitions, and cultural celebrations through developmentally appropriate and inquiry-based discussions in the galleries, art making workshops, walking tours and family and community programs.
Reporting to Managerial Staff, museum educators will work across the Education & Public Programs departments to facilitate K-12, access, teen, adult, community, and family programs, as well as professional development and off-site school partnership programs. Hours are varied, so a flexible schedule is needed, and schedule is subject to seasonal changes in the volume of classes and programs delivered.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Create and facilitate age-appropriate lesson plans for each guided tour and art-making workshop, based on the Permanent Collection, temporary exhibitions, and/or cultural celebrations, that meet department and program goals by incorporating museum education pedagogy, an inquiry and discussion-based approach, while weaving in historical context and an awareness of social and cultural topics relevant to program participants.
• Attend all walkthroughs, lectures, and training sessions in conjunction with the Permanent Collection, temporary exhibitions, and cultural celebrations.
• Stay current with recommended or assigned readings related to permanent and changing exhibitions and NYC DOE/NYS curriculum and learning standards, including the NYC Blueprint for Teaching and Learning in Visual Arts.
• Follow El Museo’s guidelines for program facilitation, including arriving at least a half hour prior to the start of program; preparing materials for tours and workshops, staying with the group through the duration of the program, and cleaning up at the conclusion of the program.
• Participate in meetings with Education staff and K-12 educators to plan programs and discuss curriculum ideas.
• Under the supervision of Managerial Staff, design interdisciplinary, age-appropriate lesson plans and curricula that make connections with El Museo’s Permanent Collection, exhibitions on view, cultural celebrations, and classroom curricula.
• Communicate with Managerial Staff regarding program needs, issues, developments, and any additional support needed to complete program goals; assist with information and documentation necessary for completing program evaluations and reports as needed.
• Submit requests for materials orders in a timely manner to the Education Assistant, as needed.
• Be professional, courteous, and enthusiastic in representing the museum; be respectful, patient and understanding in tone and communication with all audiences including youth, families, and the general public, as well as the staff; and act as an ambassador for El Museo del Barrio.
QUALIFICATIONS:
• BA/MA in Art History, Art Education, Latin American, Latinx, or Caribbean Studies, Studio Art, or Museum Studies preferred, or comparable experience.
• Strong interest and at least 2-3 years’ experience teaching diverse students in a museum and/or alternative learning environment; classroom teaching experience is a plus.
• Excellent communication, writing and organizational skills.
• Understanding of object-based and inquiry-based teaching methodologies and
curriculum development experience required.
• Creative and enthusiastic team player with the ability to handle multiple tasks
simultaneously.
• Background and interest in Latinx, Latin American and Caribbean art and culture.
• Must be able to teach large multi-generational groups in a variety of settings and work collaboratively and flexibly with colleagues and off-site partners possessing a variety of skills, needs, and experiences.
• Additional Preferred Experience:
• Bilingual/ Spanish language speaking, reading, and writing proficiency preferred.
• Experience differentiating lessons to meet specific academic and social-emotional
learning goals; knowledge of best practices for English Language Learners and disability specific instructional strategies is a plus.
• Experience teaching studio arts and knowledge of a variety of art media, techniques and skills preferred.
• Availability: Have a flexible schedule, including weekday mornings, and occasional weekends or evenings; available and willing to travel to different program sites throughout NYC.
COMPENSATION:
Freelance educators will be paid differently for each program led, for example, $75-$125 for tours and workshops, and varied rates for special projects and events.
To Apply
To apply, please email resume and cover letter to jobs@elmuseo.org,with “Museum Educator” in the subject line. No phone calls, please. We will contact you directly for an interview.
El Museo values diversity in backgrounds and in experiences. El Museo’s commitment to a diverse workforce has been a key to our success. In accordance with that commitment, El Museo provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, predisposing genetic information, gender identity and/or expression, military, or veteran status in accordance with applicable federal, state and/or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.