Director, Education and Interpretive Programs [The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art]

Position Concept

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art seeks an experienced arts educator to lead the museum’s Education Department, shape innovative experiences for students and patrons of all ages, and to engage cross-departmental teams that together design exciting interpretive experiences and public programs for the museum’s visitors. Continued growth and vitality of the Education Department depends on quality programming that is embraced by the Kansas City community, the creativity of proposed new initiatives, and success in generating additional financial support. The entire Nelson-Atkins team is committed to forging ongoing and lively relationship between the museum, visitors, and the community.

The Director of Education and Interpretive Programs plays a critical role in advancing the Nelson-Atkins Museum’s strategy of engaging new audiences, continually improving and refreshing the experience of current visitors and patrons, and in developing approaches that serve as a model for other museums nationally and internationally. This Department also leads the museum’s effort to transform each cadre of visitors into engaged partners that regularly enjoy the Nelson Atkins’ collections and programs. Evaluating audience interest and experiences is part of the work of the Education Department, providing the Director of Education and Interpretation an evidence-based foundation to inform institutional projects and to better serve the community.

With 42 full- and part-time staff, 45 on-call teaching staff, and over 200 volunteers (including Docents and Museum Guides) who dedicate their time exclusively to education programs, and with an annual budget of $3.3 million, the Education Department is essential in accomplishing the mission of the Nelson-Atkins. The museum favors collaborative partnerships with its various leaders, other institutions, collectors, and the Kansas City community as a whole. While curators shape exhibitions with reference to the art and cultural heritage of our world, educators consider both the varied interests of visitors and how different types of audiences acquire knowledge, reaching students through inquiry-based learning and 21st Century Skills. Together with the media and communication specialists of the Nelson-Atkins, educators and curators shape unique and enriching experiences through gallery and classroom-based programming, digital media, large-scale community festivals, and lifelong learning opportunities. In this work, the museum’s Spencer Art Reference Library and the Ford Learning Center function as invaluable resources that are also accessible to the public in various ways.

Primary Responsiblities

Reporting to the Director and CEO of the Nelson-Atkins, the Director of Education and Interpretive Programs leads the institution-wide effort and vision to develop educational and interpretative programs that create transformative experiences of art and culture for museum visitors. This position requires a hands-on professional who will personally grapple with and resolve issues, act as an evangelist and advocate for arts education internally and externally, and encourage others to be equally engaged.

It is critically important that the Director of Education and Interpretive Programs gain the trust and confidence of the Director and CEO, the Chair of the Board, and the Chair of the Trustee Education Committee. The Director is a member of the Strategic Leadership Group (SLG) which develops the overarching strategy of the Nelson-Atkins Museum in collaboration with the Board of Trustees. The Director and the Education Department work in particularly close collaboration with the Trustee Education Committee.

The Director of Education and Interpretive Programs works collaboratively with the Director of Curatorial Affairs to foster and develop an extensive partnership with curators, collaborating and coordinating efforts in all educational program development. S/he will partner extensively with other senior-level leaders within the Nelson-Atkins who manage the organization’s marketing and communications, advancement, human resources, and finance functions; with board members, docents and other volunteers; and with groups external to the museum, but which serve the educational needs of children, youth and adults with different backgrounds.

The Education Department will be responsible for developing tools to evaluate and analyze current and potential museum’s audiences, with particular reference to how differences in the personal experiences of visitors affect their perception of exhibitions, and how people of different age groups, learning styles, and educational backgrounds make meaning in the museum environment. This knowledge will inform the efforts of the education team to create and deliver experiences, ideas and information that engage and enrich the museum’s visitors.

Fundraising, along with strong financial management of education and interpretation programming, is integrated into this position. The Director of Education and Interpretive Programs is expected to form a strong and productive relationship with the Advancement Department and collaborate on fundraising initiatives related to education and exhibitions. This includes participation in funding discussions in the course of routinely interacting with private, foundation, school and government funders. The Director will be responsible for ensuring that all department projects and spending remains within budgetary constraints, and will proactively collaborate with the COO to ensure that education and interpretation spending remains aligned with the organization’s overall financial strategy.

The relationship between the Nelson-Atkins Museum’s marketing and communication group and education/interpretation group is particularly close, with each developing and disseminating information related to exhibitions, collections, and membership. While the marketing group ensures that Nelson-Atkins’ constituents remain aware of the museum, they also help to shape content that is deployed through printed materials, the Internet, and through electronic devices located in the museum. Strong cooperation between these departments is important to the overall visitor experience.

PRIORITIES

• Understand the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art as a whole – its history, culture, structure, collections, exhibitions, programs, projects, visitors, volunteers, docents, and the surrounding communities, including individuals and organizations served through education programming and the partners of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art;
• Review the current state of the museum’s education programming and library services, and in-process department work related to the permanent collection, current and planned special exhibitions, events, performances and demonstrations, educational publications, docent tours, and school programming; develop an in-depth understanding of the Nelson-Atkins Museum’s interpretive philosophy; actively collaborate with curators and conservators in developing exhibition and education projects;
• Establish productive and collaborative working relationships with colleagues, board members, patrons and volunteers; sustain and strengthen a culture of trust, communication, entrepreneurship, teamwork and integrity; serve as an internal advocate for the organization’s education programs;
• Appropriately manage various relationships with school, university, and other community groups, and with other museums; serve as a visible proponent for the Nelson-Atkins Museum’s education programs locally, nationally and internationally assuring that the interests of the museum are advanced and fully understood, and are at the forefront of educational excellence and innovation; enthusiastically assume an active role in the Kansas City community to put a recognizable, branded face to “Education at the Nelson-Atkins”;
• Work closely with the Director and CEO, Advancement Department, and the COO on fundraising initiatives and to implement responsible program plans and cost controls; identify current and potential sources of program funding and pursue them in close coordination with the appropriate leaders within the Advancement group;
• Attend internal and external meetings; prepare regular status reports on education programming, with particular emphasis on metrics of impact and visitor satisfaction; participate in discussions related to the Nelson Atkins Museum’s overall operating strategy.

For more information please contact:

Naree W.S. Viner
Nonprofit Practice
200 Park Avenue, 33rd Floor
New York NY 10166
USA

Office: +1.212.984.9328
Cell: +1.310.435.9619
email: naree.viner@kornferry.com

Required EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Proven managerial, problem-solving, and planning capabilities, along with at least seven years of substantial leadership experience in education/interpretation within an art museum, or in a relevant field that exposes art to diverse audiences; experience as a curator or in a visual arts setting is a plus, as is a passion for conveying the history and world of visual arts and artists to Kansas City’s diverse audiences;
• Significant engagement in the field with knowledge of education best practices from across various disciplines (not just for the visual arts); understanding of diverse pedagogical approaches to education and art education; familiarity with learning styles and developmental stages; an ability to bring to bear a broad range of educational tools and methods; facility and comfort with both innovative, personal, and high-touch educational experiences that drives new and refreshed experiences;
• A mature level of judgment and decision-making in a changing, fast-paced, forward-thinking organization and visitor-focused environment; the ability to explain education and interpretation concepts and approaches to people who are not specialists and to engage their support; ability to think critically, work independently, and resolve complex problems; a high energy level; ability to manage multiple activities and responsibilities;
• A record of success in attracting and retaining talented educators; a high degree of patience, attention to detail, good humor and fortitude in managing relationships; demonstrated ability to forge mutually-respectful and effective relationships with a diverse group of personalities;
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills, including the means to address issues in non-confrontational and non-polarizing ways, but nevertheless with determination; a track record as an effective communicator; the presence and credibility to serve as an effective spokesperson for the Nelson-Atkins in matters relating to education and interpretation;
• A track record of participating in professional activities and contributing to thought leadership in the field;
• Experience working with and developing programs for urban youth;
• A Master’s degree in Museum Art Education, Museum Studies, or Art History is required.  PhD/EdD is preferred.

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

The successful candidate should be:

• A mission-driven individual with a passion for education and art; analytical and strategic, yet tactically skilled in translating ideas and principals into practical programming;
• A team builder – confident and competent, with strong skills in management and leadership; one who understands the subtleties of motivating and directing a diverse group of personalities with different work styles;
• A good listener and strategist; comfortable receiving input from many sources, and able to analyze and formulate disparate information into sound, well-organized plans;
• An individual with outstanding human qualities; one who is straightforward, shares information easily, listens as well as gives advice, and respects the abilities of others; high EQ/emotional intelligence; someone who imparts trust, integrity and solidity and guides others in a similar vein;
• A graceful communicator and tactful diplomat who cultivates trust and engages the active support of constituents; someone that is able to represent and advance the Nelson-Atkins’ interests with determination;
• Results-oriented, adept at seeing the big-picture, planning, prioritizing, organizing and following through; a hard worker with a high energy level; emotionally mature with a sense of humor and an ability to maintain balance and perspective.