ABOUT BHC: Founded in 1983, Broadway Housing Communities (BHC) is committed to addressing the challenges of poverty and homelessness for adults, children, families and communities in Upper Manhattan. BHC has developed six buildings that provide housing and other services for adults, children and families living in deep poverty; operates an award-winning early childhood center; and provides opportunities for tenants and the wider community to engage with the cultural arts. A seventh project was recently completed in the National Historic District of Sugar Hill and includes 124 units of permanent, affordable housing; an early childhood center; and a children’s museum of art and storytelling along with other community facilities.
ABOUT SHCMAS: The Sugar Hill Children’s Museum of Art & Storytelling (SHCMAS) is the cultural capstone of BHC’s development in Sugar Hill, at the intersection of the African-American community of Harlem and the Latino community of Washington Heights. SHCMAS will provide young visitors with opportunities to discover, engage with and appreciate important works of art as they strengthen their own cognitive and creative development. Museum programs developed for 3-8 year olds and their families will feature exhibitions ranging from single-artist presentations to thematic surveys and newly commissioned artist projects; intensive hands-on art education programs; monthly storytelling series; and other family programs. Acknowledging the significance of art and storytelling in Sugar Hill’s history, intergenerational and cross cultural participation will be encouraged.
Description: The Associate Director, Education & Community Engagement is part of the senior SHCMAS management team and plays a key role in the development and implementation of the Museum’s programmatic vision and educational engagement goals. S/he joins a team dedicated to making the Museum a welcoming and vital cultural resource for Northern Manhattan, South Bronx and in particular, the Sugar Hill community.
Reporting to the Museum’s Director, the Associate Director, Education & Community Engagement functions as chief educator, contributing to and carrying out the strategic design of an educational framework that meets the needs and interests of Museum visitors, and provides a welcoming and stimulating learning environment. S/he is responsible for cultivating a vibrant community for the Museum through envisioning, producing and evaluating unique and impactful educational programs for young children, as well as intergenerational activities and multi-faceted initiatives that engage and support our surrounding communities. The Associate Director will disseminate SHCMAS’ vision by expanding public awareness of the role of arts education in early childhood; executing strategic community partnerships; collaborating with peer educators and colleagues; and through direct contact with the communities we serve.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Programming
Lead all aspects of planning, development, implementation and evaluation of arts education curriculum and engagement programming for children ages 3-8 and their families.
Work closely with the Associate Director, Curatorial Programs, on exhibition content and related engagement programs that enhance the Museum’s educational mission; help execute a year-round calendar of artists’ driven programs and initiatives; and oversee self-directed hands-on art-making opportunities.
Curate appropriate materials for the Museum Shop in a timely fashion, including books, catalogues, artwork and other merchandise.
Management
Serve as administrative head of the education department: recruit and supervise personnel; devise and manage departmental budget; establish operational procedures and standards for all programmatic functions; and strive for the highest standards in serving museum audiences.
Co-manage the Programs Committee with the Associate Director, Curatorial Programs, by maintaining close communication with key members and scheduling and facilitating several meetings throughout the year.
Work with visitor services and retail staff in preparing, tracking, evaluating, and reporting of all educational programs including attendance, program-breakdown, zip-codes, surveys, etc.
Resource Development
Consult with Museum Director, development staff and Board of Trustees to identify funding for education and interpretative programs as well as community outreach and audience development.
Assist with fundraising strategies and actively participate in solicitation process, including cultivating supporters, drafting content for proposals, and other fundraising activities.
Community Engagement
Foster and manage purposeful, authentic, and impactful partnerships with pre-K to elementary schools, charter systems, CUNY, civic groups, afterschool programs, parent associations, community organizations, and other museums and cultural institutions to better facilitate the overarching goal of educational equity for our young children and their families.
Build support for the Museum in our community and throughout New York City, by developing an understanding of the various dynamics at play in our vibrant, diverse neighborhoods of Harlem, Washington Heights and South Bronx, and develop personal relationships through spending time and being an effective listener and community partner.
Communications
Formulate priorities, policies and SHCMAS’ education philosophy and articulate that philosophy both inside and outside the Museum in collaboration with the SHCMAS and BHC teams, Trustees and other advocates.
Work with communications staff to help produce key promotional materials, and shape the language used for all education programs and community engagement; work with technical staff to enhance the museum website to include education related curriculum and programs that serve as a meaningful extension of the museum.
Participate in local and national dialogue about early childhood arts education, family and community engagement; keep informed about best practices and other relevant areas of museum education.
QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS:
Graduate Degree in Art History, Education, Museum Studies, or a related field;
5+ years of progressive leadership in arts education with expertise in early childhood learning;
Experience with museum education concepts, pedagogy, and best practices, particularly as they relate to and impact young children and their families;
Strong organizational skills including ability to manage staff, educators, artists, docents, and volunteers, as well as shifting project budgets and timelines;
Used to taking the initiative and moving projects from conception and design to implementation and evaluation;
Strong communication (written, verbal and interpersonal) skills; ability to articulate education mission and work productively with diverse constituencies including young children and their families, museum colleagues, educators, artists, volunteers, interns, donors, peer institutions, and the general public;
Experience with fundraising, cultivating donors and securing programming support;
Collaborative, collegial, creative, and resourceful in work; strong relationships with colleagues in the field, including art educators and administrators, artists, scholars, school principals and teachers, parent-teacher coordinators, etc.;
Knowledge of New York City’s education and cultural community, as well as its governmental agencies;
Knowledge of African American and/or Latino art, and fluency in Spanish a plus.
APPLICATION:
To apply for this position, please email your resume and cover letter with salary requirements to resumes@bhc.org . Applicant review will continue until the position is filled. Please indicate your last name and “SHCMAS Education” in the subject line. No phone calls, please — we will respond to those candidates whose qualifications are best aligned with the components of this job description.
SHCMAS/BHC is committed to providing equal employment opportunity without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, national origin, age, citizenship status, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, height, weight, or disability. Women, older adults, people of color, poor and low-income people, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Salary commensurate with experience. We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, 403(b) retirement plan and paid time off.