Summer Educator – Contract

Department: Department of Education
Supervisor: Manager of Visitor Experience
Position Status: Contract, Seasonal (June 1 – August 31, 2015)

The Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) hosts thousands of visitors each year, many of which come in the summer time for our exciting programs and guided tours, as well as to see our first-rate 21st century art exhibitions.

Overview:
The ICA seeks art enthusiasts with gallery teaching experience for leading people of diverse ages and backgrounds in participatory tours of contemporary art. Summer Educators engage groups of visitors in open dialogue about the ICA’s building and works on view, and assist visitors in developing visual, analytical, and critical thinking skills.

Summer Educators will lead participatory hour-long tours to small groups of visitors, grade school age and older. In their tours, the Summer Educators will engage the group’s attendants in a lively discussion that encourages close looking and critical thinking.

Responsibilities of a Summer Educator:
1. Attend three (3) exhibition-related trainings, held exclusively for Summer Educators
2. Attend Curator-led and Gallery Educator Session trainings as able
3. Prepare tour outlines for approval before giving tours
4. Prepare and lead a successful graduation tour to Education staff
5. Be prepared with information regarding works on view and ICA building
6. Be punctual and abide by the schedule
7. Arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled group’s arrival
8. Offer your groups a brief orientation to the museum, including explaining museum policies and procedures
9. Assist with bag and coat check for your scheduled groups
10. Lead discussion-based tours approximately one hour in length
11. Ensure that visitors in your group adhere to museum policies and procedures

Summer Educator-exclusive training sessions will be held on three mornings: Monday, June 1st; Tuesday, June 2nd; Wednesday, June 3rd from 10A-12P. Training dates/times for the summer exhibition are TBD (June 9-15).

Summer Educators will work a schedule that is predetermined in collaboration with the Education Department Assistant. Tours will be scheduled June 9 – August 31, 2015. Summer Educators will lead approximately two (2) tours a week and will be compensated for training sessions and time per tour.

Qualifications:
Ability to work daytimes, evenings, and weekends
Experience with or knowledge of contemporary visual art
Experience with gallery teaching; comfortable speaking to large groups of visitors
Solid interpersonal and communication skills
Friendly and outgoing, able to conduct oneself in a polite and professional manner
Ability to assert oneself when needed in order to enforce museum policies

Applications will be accepted for this position through April 1, 2015. Interviews will be conducted in April and early May.

Interested candidates should send a letter of interest and a current resume to lschnier@icaboston.org