Associate Curator of Education [Neuberger Museum of Art, Purchase College, SUNY]

Job Description:

Purchase College, SUNY, seeks an Associate Curator of Education for the Neuberger Museum of Art.  Reporting to the Director of Education and Public Programs and working closely with exhibition Curators, the Associate Curator of Education is responsible for programming and producing educational activities for K12 school groups and families, and for managing the pool of volunteers. The selected candidate will work in an environment that celebrates individuality, diversity, and creativity in a community of educational excellence.

Purchase College, SUNY was founded by New York State Governor Nelson Rockefeller in 1967. Rockefeller envisioned Purchase College as the cultural gem of the SUNY system, with four arts conservatories, education in humanities and sciences, the Neuberger Museum, and a major performing arts center for professional creation and presentation.

Founded in 1969, the Neuberger Museum of Art is the tenth largest college museum in the country and the premiere museum of African, Latin American, and western modern and contemporary art, with a collection of over 6,000 works of art. The Neuberger Museum is an integral part of Purchase College’s 4,200 students and an active resource to its regional, national, and international audiences, with ambitious and successful educational exhibition programs.

Responsibilities:

School Programs

• Cultivates, develops and maintains key relationships with teachers, principals and superintendents to make sure that the Museum continuously serves local schools to meet their needs.
• Proactively seeks to establish new relationships with schools with a particular focus on underserved schools and communities.?
• In dialogue with teachers critically assesses how museum visits could connect with classroom curricula and support teachers in planning their trips to the museum. Plans and implements seasonal training for teachers.
• Handles the production of teacher guides and other educational material required by teachers.
• Devises and delivers inspiring museum experiences for school groups visiting the museum, including tours offered by the Docents and workshops led by external facilitators.

Family Programs

• Devises and delivers creative and inspiring programs of workshops and events designed specifically for families – including studio classes and art projects for children – that reflect on and expand the concerns of the artistic program of the museum.
• Works collaboratively with exhibition Curators to ensure studio and family programs that relate to NMA collections and exhibitions, school curricula, public community concerns, and other NMA programs.
• Identifies and grows new audiences and participation through a variety of programs which appeal to diverse constituencies of Westchester County, Fairfield County and New York City.

Volunteer Programs

• Programs and implements Docent workshops and leads/teaches part of the sessions.
• Manages and implements recruitment of new docents and new docent training.
• Assists Education Coordinator in planning Museum Service Council field trips, holiday parties and tribute luncheons.
• Proactively researches and introduces new volunteer administration systems, to efficiently manage the pool of volunteers.

Event Production and Administration

• Leads on the programs’ delivery and ensures that it is realized efficiently and effectively.
• Develops and manages a pool of freelance artists and other specialists available to work on projects.
• Is responsible for third party artist/contractor engagements.
• Ensures appropriate documentation, reporting and evaluation of all elements of the School, Family and Volunteer programs, contributing to funding body reviews where appropriate and as per funding agreements.
• Prepares clear and compelling copy to advertise all the managed events.
• Handles the production of any print material related to the events.
• Works closely with the Marketing Officer of NMA to ensure that all appropriate marketing routes have been explored, taking responsibility for promoting events to specific relevant contacts.
• Creates and develops content and communications for kids, teens and families including toolkits, newsletter and web content for the future NMA website.

Qualifications:?

• 4-year degree in art or humanities (Masters preferred).
• Excellent knowledge and understanding of modern and contemporary art.
• Proven experience in the field of Gallery education and integrated programming.
• Wide and varied network of professional contacts and relationships locally and nationally.
• Ability to work with teachers, practitioners and young people and to build highly effective partnerships with other institutions and community organizations.
• Leadership skills demonstrated in managing volunteers.
• Excellent communication and writing skills.
• Capacity to prioritize, manage, and follow through on multiple tasks.?
• Knowledge of developing practical projects or initiatives with education practitioners.?
• Excellent computer skills: advanced user of MS Office suite, experience of working with Raiser’s Edge and WordPress a plus.?

To apply:

Complete an on-line application at https://jobs.purchase.edu, attach a resume + cover letter. Salary range $50,000–$55,000. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. Purchase College, SUNY, is an AA/EEO employer of individuals with disabilities and protected veterans.