The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum

TITLE: Manager of Academic Programs
DEPARTMENT: Public Programs and Education
SUPERVISOR: Director of Public Programs and Audience Engagement STATUS: Full time

About The Aldrich:

It is the mission of The Aldrich to advance creative thinking by connecting today’s artists with individuals and communities in unexpected and stimulating ways.

It is the mission of the Public Programs and Education department of The Aldrich to foster direct interaction with contemporary art and artists, inspire and nurture ideas that cultivate critical and creative thinking, encourage curiosity and reflection, and create transformative learning experiences. The studio practices of the Museum’s exhibiting artists inspire our laboratory approach to learning, which engages diverse communities of children, teens, adults, seniors, families, educators, and artists.

Founded by Larry Aldrich in 1964, The Aldrich was first located in a landmark 1783 house on Ridgefield’s historic Main Street, used today for administrative offices; since 2004, the galleries have been housed in an AIA-­-award-­-winning 25,000 square-­-foot facility. The Aldrich is one of the few independent, non-­-collecting contemporary art museums in the United States, the only museum in Connecticut devoted to contemporary art, and one of just twenty museums in Connecticut and 318 art museums in the country to be accredited by the American Alliance of Museums.

The Aldrich has a 50-­-year track record of identifying and supporting significant artists at seminal moments in their development, interpreting their work for a broad and cross-­-generational public, and engaging the community through exhibitions that investigate current cultural and societal issues as well as complementary art-­-making workshops and thought-­-provoking interdisciplinary programs. The ideas motivating the artists, and how their concepts and endeavors are presented to diverse audiences, define the activities and character of the Museum.

Overview of Position:
The Manager of Academic Programs (Manager) reports to and works closely with the Director of Public Programs and Audience Engagement (Director), to research, develop, implement, and assess pioneering programs for schools, educators, and the adult volunteer Museum Guide team.

The Manager will develop innovative, forward-­-thinking strategies that increase service to regional schools and educators, and position The Aldrich as a leader in the field of museum education. These strategies and the resulting programs will be developed in dialogue with administrators, educators, and curriculum specialists from the schools and districts served by The Aldrich. The Manager will develop an annual plan for assessing the short-­- and long-­-term impact of the Museum’s education programs on the students and teachers served. The Manager will be knowledgeable about trends and approaches in the field of museum education and will make recommendations for program change and/or growth within her/his area of responsibility to the Director, Executive Director, Board of Directors, and Board Committees as needed.

The Manager will maintain an active, productive, and communicative relationship with area educators, administrators, parents, regional arts and culture institutions, arts education

organizations, and other institutions and individuals whose mission it is to serve students and teachers. The Manager will position The Aldrich as a primary resource for students and teachers, incorporating all subject areas in programmatic offerings and materials, and will serve as the Museum’s expert on Common Core, STEM to STEAM, and other issues, policies and programs that impact and effect schools and teachers.

In keeping with the collaborative and cooperative structure of the Public Programs and Education department, the Manager will work in partnership with the Manager of Education Programs and Youth Initiatives to (1) develop pilot programs for all audiences; (2) develop and foster key partnerships with schools, school districts, teachers, school administrators, and community and peer organizations; (3) develop interpretive content for programs for all visitors, including but not limited to lesson plans for school groups, family gallery guides, and adult tour scripts; and (4) train the Museum Guide team.

The Manager will maintain a current mailing list of regional educators and administrators, and will organize and manage programs and events within her/his area of responsibility, including but not limited to Teacher Advisory Committee meetings, Museum Guide meetings and trainings, culminating program receptions, peer group forums, and professional development opportunities for educators and administrators.

The Manager will develop and maintain a professional team of Museum Guides who are prepared to serve as museum ambassadors and gallery educators, equipped with the most current and relevant understanding of museum education theory and practice.

The Manager will foster and participate in the department’s and the Museum’s collaborative culture, and will work in partnership with the Director and other departments as needed to develop, implement, promote, and assess public programs and strategic community partnerships.

Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

  • Developing annual strategies for new programs, existing program growth and revision, assessment, and student and teacher audience development
  • Managing all aspects of school programs (grades K-­-12, and university level) including program development, administration, scheduling, transportation, curriculum development, training of Museum staff and Guides, and annual assessment
  • Managing all aspects of Teacher Professional Development programs, including program development, administration, scheduling, content development, and annual assessment
  • Managing Teacher Advisory Committee, including recruitment
  • Managing all aspects of the Museum Guide program, including administration, scheduling,

    content development, recruitment and training, and annual assessment of the individual

    docents and overall program

  • Working proactively and collaboratively with teachers and administrators in program

    development to assure Museum programs and curricula support and meet the changing needs

    of the education community

  • Developing and managing community partnerships as assigned
  • Attending weekly departmental meetings and participating in collaborative process to develop

    hands-­-on projects for the Education Center and interpretive and visitor experience tools for the

    galleries

  • Developing and managing annual program budgets
  • Assisting in the research and development of funding proposals for school, teacher, and Museum Guide programs
  • Assisting in writing interpretative materials, including wall texts, labels, family guides, and website content
  • Working with Director on strategic planning for department, including mission and vision statements and goals
  • Other or additional duties as assigned in accordance with the job title

    Experience and Skills: The successful candidate is an innovative thinker and dynamic leader with a minimum of five years experience working in a museum, art center, or similar setting with docent volunteers, as well as demonstrable excellence in teaching K–12 school and educator audiences with original works of art in a museum or gallery setting. The candidate will have experience developing fundable, innovative school and teacher programs, setting strategic goals for programs and prioritizing tasks to support these goals, and implementing and evaluating such programs. The successful candidate is a self-­-motivated individual who excels in a fast-­-paced creative environment and thinks both strategically and logistically. He/she will possess excellent organizational and communication skills, and provide evidence of well-­-developed collaborative skills and experience leading teams through complex projects. The exceptional candidate will have demonstrable experience in developing public programs for all ages, including youth, family and adult. Experience working with artists and in artist-­-driven programs and audience engagement required.

    Knowledge and Education: A Master’s Degree in art history, art education, museum education or a related field is preferred. The successful candidate will demonstrate knowledge of contemporary art, museum program management, K–12 education, National Learning Standards, Common Core State Standards, and the STEM to STEAM initiative. Familiarity with Connecticut and Westchester school districts is preferred.

    Application Process:

    Please send (1) a cover letter including salary requirements, (2) current resume, and (3) a description of a program for K–12 students designed, implemented, and evaluated by the applicant to: jobs@aldrichart.org, and note “Manager of Academic Programs” in the subject line. Calls will not be accepted. Only qualified applicants will be contacted.

    The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum Non-­-Discrimination Policy

    The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum is committed to:
    • The goal of achieving equal opportunity for all
    • Providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of the community
    • Providing an inclusive and nondiscriminatory work environment in which all employees are valued

    and empowered to succeed
    • Providing a workplace free from harassment of all kinds
    • Compliance with all federal and state legislation and regulations regarding non-­-discrimination

    Consistent with these principles, The Aldrich does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, expression and characteristics, age, religion, national or ethnic origin, visible or invisible disability, veteran status, or any other protected status.