Director of Education and Academic Affairs [Cleveland Museum of Art, OH]

POSITION DESCRIPTION

DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION AND ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

THE CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART

CLEVELAND, OHIO

OVERVIEW:

Through thoughtful interpretation of the collection and dynamic programming the Cleveland Museum of Art’s Department of Education and Academic Affairs (Education) teaches, inspires, and supports visitors.

Meaningful collaborations encourage the community to engage with the museum’s collection, feel a powerful connection to it and, ultimately, enhance their lives through art.

The Director of Education and Academic Affairs shapes and mobilizes support for a coordinated strategy for access, interpretation, and learning that engages broad and diverse audiences with the museum’s global collections, from in-gallery to online, and establishes the structures, programs, and processes to support that strategy.  Deeply knowledgeable and passionate about art, the Director of Education and Academic Affairs serves as an articulate spokesperson for the value of robust educational programming at the museum, in the community and online.

INSTITUTIONAL BACKGROUND:

The Cleveland Museum of Art (CMA) is known nationally and internationally for the quality and scope of its collection, which comprises some 45,000 objects and covers 6,000 years of art history. Founded in 1913, the CMA is today one of the world’s most distinguished comprehensive art museums and one of the top five in the country.

In 2013, the museum completed a $320 million renovation and expansion project designed by the architect Rafael Viñoly. The project, which was funded by a successful capital campaign, included the complete restoration of the original 1916 building and 1971 Marcel Breuer addition, as well as the addition of two symmetrical wings on the east and west sides. Central to the design is the large, light-filled Ames Family Atrium, enclosed by an elegantly soaring roof. The CMA is now considered one of the most beautiful and impressive civic spaces in Northeast Ohio and its galleries are among the finest of any museum.

Key elements of the expansion project include:

• An increase of 33 per cent in gallery space, with enhanced interpretation of the collection through state-of-the art technology as well as installations that engage both the first-time visitor and the long-time devotee;
• Gallery One, a 12,000-square-foot interactive introductory space that includes The Collection Wall, the largest multi-touch screen in the United States — a 40-foot, interactive, micro-tile wall that changes every 40 seconds and features more than 3,500 works of art from the permanent collection;
• The 39,000-square foot, glass-enclosed atrium—Cleveland’s largest free public space;
• A rededication of the Breuer building to its original mission of education with renovated classrooms, lecture and performance halls and a distance learning studio;
• Restored integrity of the 1916 building including upgraded mechanical and structural systems with the latest environmental controls throughout;
• Improved and expanded special exhibition spaces for preeminent loan exhibitions from around the world;
• A more prominent location for the Ingalls Library, including an expanded reading room.

The CMA has more than 400 employees and an operating budget of $38 million. Its endowment now stands at more than $750 million. Founded “for the benefit of all the people forever,” the CMA remains free to all visitors with attendance at close to 600,000 annually.

The museum’s most recent strategic plan, completed in 2010, stresses the primary importance of the collection as the foundation for everything the museum does. It also underscores the primacy of the visitor experience and the museum’s participation in the life of the city and the surrounding community while balancing local responsibility with a national and international presence. The museum is about to develop a new strategic plan that will establish the vision and guide the work of the next five years.

POSITION:

The CMA Education and Academic Affairs Department has a reputation for innovation in its programs and activities. Primary responsibilities include maintaining multiple lines of communication within the museum and with the full range of the museum’s audiences, and setting the agenda and priorities for the activities of Education with regard to the museum’s mission, goals of the strategic plan, and, where relevant, fundraising activities. The Education staff currently consists of 17 full-time, and 11 part-time positions, along with a volunteer docent corps of 75 and about 25 additional volunteers. Direct reports include the Director of Interpretation, Director of Teaching and Learning, Director of Intergenerational Learning, Director of Administrative Support and the Department Coordinator.

As a member of the executive management team, the Director of Education and Academic Affairs develops policies, procedures, and guidelines related to the interpretation of the collections, and ensures adherence to the highest standards of scholarship while achieving maximum educational impact for audiences regionally, nationally, and internationally. The Director of Education and Academic Affairs will work closely with the museum’s Director/CEO to evaluate and, as necessary, revise the structure of the Education department and, on an ongoing basis, ensure that CMA’s distinctive and creative offerings actively encourage audiences to explore and engage with art. The Director of Education and Academic Affairs will build a vibrant culture within the department, placing particular emphasis on collaboration and service. ??

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Immediate responsibilities:

• Work with the Director/CEO and other senior staff to update and revise the strategic plan and guide its implementation.
• Participate in the planning and execution of the museum’s centennial celebration in 2016.
• Work closely with the Chief Curator to further define the Keithley Institute for Art History, with primary focus on the new doctoral program, recently launched by the Cleveland Museum of Art and Case Western Reserve University. Nancy and Joseph Keithley have generously donated $15 million dollars to promote and solidify future endowments, including a $500,000 Andrew W. Mellon Foundation grant that is already being used to revitalize a collaborative art history program started by the museum and the University more than 40 years ago. Capitalizing on the museum’s permanent collection and renowned art history library, the Keithley Institute will put Cleveland on the map as a training ground for future museum curators and directors. The Director of Education and Academic Affairs will play a role in shaping the pedagogy associated with this program.

Continuing responsibilities:

1. Be a visible leader in the community to increase and deepen participation of diverse audiences in museum activities. Ensure community access to CMA through outreach and collaborative programs. Forge ongoing and lively relationships with individuals, groups, and institutions that will extend museum services to a wider community.  Staff the Education Advisory Committee and the African American Advisory Committee.
2. Engage in effective human resource management, ensuring that staff members are encouraged to be productive contributors to the mission of the museum and to deepening audience engagement with the museum’s collections and programs. These aims should be accomplished by attracting, retaining, and rewarding knowledgeable staff members who are reflective of the community they serve, and who understand that their efforts will be supported by sound decision-making in relation to pay and performance.
3. Work with Education staff to translate a programmatic and interpretive vision for the institution into yearly goals and activities, and establish current and long-range objectives, plans, policies, and assessments. Hold regular staff and supervisor meetings to foster internal communication and to ensure that staff members work toward achievement of institutional and departmental, as well as individual, goals.
4. Work closely with staff across the museum to develop creative programming that supports the museum’s and the department’s goals and objectives. CMA favors cross-divisional collaboration and teamwork among its various leaders and departments over silo thinking. Close collaboration, especially between the Education and Curatorial and Information Technology departments is essential for maintaining CMA’s reputation for leadership in museum-based education and interpretive programming,
5. Collaborate with appropriate departments to create materials for the CMA website and magazine. Work with the Communications and Marketing departments to ensure adequate promotion of programs. Participate in the review and assessment of communications and marketing efforts.
6. Prepare and monitor the Education department budget; proactively collaborate with the Finance department to implement responsible program cost controls and ensure that departmental spending remains aligned with the organization’s overall financial strategy. Identify and pursue opportunities for increased revenue through programs and resources.
7. With Education department staff, review and, as necessary, revise the department’s work with CMA’s docents, who are at the forefront of providing in-gallery experiences for visitors of all ages, ensuring that the docent program functions efficiently and that the content presented responds to visitor needs.
8. Conduct talks and tours and, on occasion, teach in the CMA/CWRU joint program or help shape special exhibitions for audiences of all ages.
9. Form a strong and productive relationship with the Division of Institutional Advancement and collaborate on fundraising initiatives related to education and academic affairs. This includes identifying potential sources of program funding and participation in funding discussions with private, foundation, school, and government funders.
10. Attend internal and external meetings; prepare regular status reports on Education and Academic Affairs programming; work with the Research and Evaluation department to determine metrics of impact and visitor satisfaction.
11. Travel to professional meetings or other institutions to view exhibitions and installations that may be coming to the museum.
12. Maintain an active role in the museum community through publications, lectures, travel, attendance at national and international conferences, and communication with colleagues in the field.??

QUALIFICATIONS:

The successful candidate must have an advanced degree (Ph.D. preferred) in art history or art education and proven leadership, problem-solving, and planning capabilities, along with a minimum of 5–7 years professional experience in education and interpretation within an art museum setting, with at least 3 years in a management role. A reputation as an imaginative and ambitious individual with a passion for conveying the world of art, art history, and our rich cultural heritage to diverse audiences is essential. The successful candidate will also be a creative thinker and a dynamic, enthusiastic individual with personal integrity who is comfortable in a complex and collaborative environment and professional in all matters and dealings.

Specific requirements include:

•             Deep knowledge of and passion for art and object-driven learning.

•             Commitment to education and lifelong learning, intellectual inquiry, and visitor engagement.

•             Outstanding oral and written communication skills, including the means to address issues in tactful, 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 CMA in matters relating to education and interpretation.

•             Knowledge of education best-practices across various disciplines (not just the visual arts), and an ability to bring to bear a broad range of educational tools and methods, including research in learning theory, program evaluation, and visitor studies, as well as the application and use of technology to engage, communicate, and attract audiences; a track record of innovation and experimentation that drives engaging and refreshing experiences consistent with a knowledge economy and a continuous learning philosophy.

•             Demonstrated ability in the successful development and maintenance of a wide variety of community partnerships and a commitment to diversity in programs and to developing and nurturing diverse audiences.

•             Recognized ability and expertise in organizational management; ability to inspire staff, responsibly delegate tasks, and ensure a collaborative working environment; ability to make strategic and qualitative judgments.

•             Proven ability to manage multiple projects and tasks with agility, thoroughness, and good humor, and to establish credibility with the Director/CEO, board members, colleagues, volunteers, donors, local government and public school officials, and the community leaders.

•             Substantial knowledge and skills in managing large budgets and providing leadership for strategic-planning initiatives.

START DATE:

The position is currently open and will be filled at the earliest opportunity.

HOW TO APPLY:

Letters of application must include the following:

•             A cover letter that addresses the candidate’s interest in the position.

•             A description not to exceed three pages describing the applicant’s area of research and its relationship to CMA’s collections.

•             A published paper or writing sample.

•             A complete resume or curriculum vitae of education, employment, honors, awards, and publications.

•             The names and contact information of three references.

MORE ABOUT THE CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART:

www.clevelandart.org