*Birmingham Museum of Art*

JOB TITLE: Assistant Curator of Education for Visitor Engagement

REPORTS TO: Curator of Education

JOB PURPOSE:
This position is responsible for helping create a museum environment where visitor learning can reach full potential on guided tours and self-directed visits. Manage all aspects of docent program to ensure that docents are prepared and capable of providing meaningful and engaging conversation-base experiences with Museum visitors. Coordinate gallery interpretation efforts to ensure that visitors have access to original, inspired, personally relevant, and participatory experiences with works of art in the Museum.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Docent Program  Approximately 50% of time and responsibilities
[*]Work with Curator of Education to define docent role and develop strategic plan and vision for docent program, including clear expectations, objectives and goals
[*]Develop a two-tier docent training program designed to meet the needs of touring docents and new docents-in-training
[*]Ensure that docent training adequately prepares docents to provide meaningful and engaging conversation-based experiences with works of art for museum visitors; analyze and evaluate efficacy of the docent training program; adjust training content and approach per docent/museum needs
[*]Teach docent training on art history, the collection, dialogical techniques
[*]Collaborate with Education Department team members to develop new and evaluate/update existing tours for students and adults
[*]Observe and evaluate docent performance and provide appropriate feedback
[*]Oversee docent committees and ensure that committees are aligned with the Museums mission and goals
[*]Write, prepare, or obtain docent guides and handouts
[*]Produce timely correspondence to keep docents abreast of updates, changes, and relevant information
[*]Recruit, interview and select new docents as needed

Gallery Interpretation  Approximately 50% of time and responsibilities
[*]Work with Curator of Education and Collection Curators to define and develop strategic plan and vision for gallery interpretation, including clear expectations, objectives and goals
[*]Oversee and coordinate gallery interpretation efforts as relates to: docents, didactics for galleries and educational spaces, acoustic guides, written materials, etc.
[*]Write and produce gallery guides for adults and children
[*]Develop and implement engaging interpretive stations in Museum galleries, temporary exhibitions and education areas
[*]Develop content for Museum website as needed to enhance visitor engagement with the Museum and its collections and exhibitions

General
[*]Research current practices in docent education and interpretation, Museum Collections and exhibitions, and visitor experiences/motivations/learning styles
[*]Actively participate as a member of the Museums interdepartmental Visitor Service Team

The above statements of this job description describe the general duties and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. They do not claim to describe all of the functions of this position.

Employees may be assigned other duties and the essential functions may change or be changed from time to time.

REQUIREMENTS:
This job requires a collaborative spirit and the ability to express ideas clearly and concisely in writing and public speaking. Candidates should be capable of adapting educational material for people with different learning styles and needs. Experience working with art museum docents
required.

Masters degree in art education, art history, museum education or equivalent required; minimum three years professional experience in art museum education or related teaching experience required.

ABOUT THE MUSEUM:
The Birmingham Museum of Art houses a diverse collection of more than 25,000 paintings, sculpture, prints, drawings and decorative arts from ancient to modern times. The collection features extensive holdings of Asian, European, African, Native American, and Pre-Columbian art. Excellent benefits are offered to the Museum’s seventy full time employees.

TO APPLY:
Send resume and cover letter to Samantha Kelly, Curator of Education, Birmingham Museum of Art, 2000 Reverend Abraham Woods, Jr. Blvd, Birmingham, AL 35203, skelly[at]artsbma[dot]org