Exploring ideas and engaging in conversation

Author: Tegan Kehoe (Page 1 of 401)

Transitioning into the Wider World

I’ve been putting off writing this post, and it’s probably because it’s hard to say goodbye. I hope that readers don’t mind the diaristic style of this last post from me, and I hope that my fellow graduates feel it speaks to their experience as well.

Three days ago, I officially graduated with a Master’s in History and Museum Studies. After listening to the various commencement speeches about what it means to be a Jumbo and how elephants always remember places they’ve been, my mom asked me whether Tufts feels like “my school” now, or whether I feel a stronger connection to my undergrad alma mater. Looking around the green, I realized I don’t feel a very strong connection to Tufts University as a whole, although I’m proud to have been a part of it. What I do feel is a strong connection to the individual pieces of Tufts that made up my experience.

I feel that Tufts Museum Studies Program and the History Department are “my school.” I feel a connection to the Education and Art History departments, too, because of my close working relationships with the faculty and students there. I feel that Tisch is “my” library, and East is “my” academic building. These are the institutions, and pieces of institutions, I feel faithful to, and I will have fond memories of. So yes, Tufts is my school, even though as a grad student and a commuter with a day job, it took me almost two years to figure out what Dewick is,* and I never figured out where it is. I think that ten years from now if someone asks me “did you go to Tufts?” I’ll say, “not just Tufts — Tufts Museum Studies.”

It’s a very exciting time in my life, because I am also in a job transition; soon I will be starting a job at the Paul S. Russell, MD Museum of History and Innovation at Massachusetts General Hospital. I absolutely have my Tufts education to thank for helping me become qualified for this new stage in my career. A good professional program isn’t just about helping students launch their careers, it’s really about preparing them to be good at their jobs, and I am both hopeful and confident that Tufts has done that for me.

From September 2013 through March 2015, I wrote a monthly-ish column for this blog called “The Wider World,” which discussed ways that we as students could explore the relationship between museums and their wider communities, even while we were in our school bubble. Now I’m leaving the bubble, and I plan to continue to reflect on this relationship.  I hope that you will join me.

I’m pleased to announce that two museum studies students will be taking over the blog from me, Colleen Sutherland and Jess Camhi. Even if you don’t already know them, you may have seen their exhibits in the Koppelman Gallery as part of “Focus: Experiments in Photographic Interpretation” this past month. I am excited to be passing the baton into their capable hands.

 

Over and out (on this channel),

Tegan

 

*Dewick is a dining hall.

Weekly Jobs Round-Up!

Here’s our weekly roundup of new jobs. As always, they go up immediately on their own page. Happy hunting!

Mellon Curatorial Fellow for Diversity in the Arts [Williams College]

Mellon Curatorial Fellow for Diversity in the Arts

Williams College Museum of Art

One of the finest college art museums in the country, the Williams College Museum of Art (WCMA) houses 13,000 works that span the history of art. Within the broad range of time periods and cultures represented, the collection emphasizes American art from the late 18th century to the present, modern and contemporary art, works on paper and photography, African art and Asian art.

 

Available August 2015, the Curatorial Fellow for Diversity in the Arts is a full-time, three-year term position offering curatorial experience at the Williams College Museum of Art. The fellowship is designed to bring to campus a postdoctoral scholar with expertise in areas of art history currently underrepresented on the museum staff, such as African, Asian, Latin American, Islamic, and Native American art. The Fellowship also provides growth and development for outstanding candidates from groups underrepresented in the museum field, providing a professional bridge to museum careers.

 

This in-depth learning experience will ensure that the Fellow is mentored by all museum staff, especially the Deputy Director for Curatorial Affairs, curators, academic engagement staff, and the Director. Depending on applicant’s expertise and experience there may be opportunities for teaching and deep collaboration with relevant academic departments. The Fellow will have the opportunity to contribute his or her expertise toward diversifying the museum’s collections, exhibitions, and programs to better reflect the curriculum and the student body. The Museum is dedicated to providing a robust experience for an emerging curatorial professional.

 

Responsibilities:

  • Undertake research and planning for exhibitions
  • Develop associated publications
  • Support the curricular use of the museum’s collection

 

Qualifications:

  • Completion of, or in the process of completing, a PhD in art history, cultural or global studies, visual anthropology or related fields
  • Must be able to demonstrate deep interest in and knowledge of visual art
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills are required
  • Prior museum experience is a plus

 

Employment at Williams is contingent on the verification of background information submitted by the applicant, including the completion of a criminal record check, and education when applicable.

 

To apply for this position, please visit http://staff-careers.williams.edu. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us via phone at (413) 597-4247 or email at hr@williams.edu.

 

Beyond meeting fully its legal obligations for non-discrimination, Williams College is committed to building a diverse and inclusive community where members from all backgrounds can live, learn and thrive.

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APPLY FOR THIS JOB

Assistant Membership Officer for Onsite Sales & Service [The Metropolitan Museum of Art]

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, one of the world’s finest museums, seeks an Assistant Membership Officer for Onsite Sales & Service.  The Assistant Membership Officer is the primary supervisor of the Membership Office’s front line sales and service team.   Responsible for managing staff in all aspects of Membership sales and service delivery, this role will ensure that a warm and welcoming environment is extended to all Members and visitors of the Museum, with a focus on building customer relationships that strengthen connections to the Met.

The Assistant Membership Officer is responsible for the day-to-day management of frontline Membership sales and service operations.  This includes training new Membership Assistants, the maintenance of the daily and weekly staff schedules, supervision and support of staff on duty, and coaching staff when performance issues arise.  This person models exemplary service skills in all interactions with internal and external customers and holds staff accountable for the Membership Department’s service standards and expectations.

Primary Responsibilities and Duties:

  • Oversee daily operations of Membership sales and service team
  • Supervise, train, manage performance and support Membership sales and service staff
  • Ensure that Membership sales and service staff provide exemplary customer service and proactive visitor engagement
  • Work with managers to identify sales and revenue goals for Membership Assistants.  Track employee performance against established goals and provide training, coaching and assistance in meeting their goals.
  • Manage cash controls and PCI compliance for point of sale operations.  Ensure financial records are maintained in accordance with departmental and Museum policy.
  • Identify and resolve customer service problems, resolving matters promptly and effectively
  • Assist with special projects as necessary
  • Other related duties

Job Requirements

Requirements and Qualifications:

Experience and Skills:

  • Minimum of five years customer service experience with track record of increased responsibility.  At least one year of supervisory experience is required
  • Excellent interpersonal communication, both written and verbal.  Must be possess the ability to exercise good judgment, delegate tasks, and take ownership of issues as appropriate
  • Ability to lead a team of staff in a complex and fast-paced environment, while also participating as a positive and active team member in the larger Membership department
  • Individual must possess the ability to be professional, courteous and gracious in stressful situations

Knowledge and Education:

  • College degree is required
  • Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and point-of-sale or event/admission ticketing systems is required
  • Experience in working in fundraising and/or arts and cultural institutions
  • Experience with PledgeMaker (or a comparable fundraising database) is preferred

Please send cover letter, resume, and salary history to careers@metmuseum.org with “Assistant Membership Officer for Onsite Sales & Service/Membership” in the subject line.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art provides equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, mental or physical disability, pregnancy, alienage or citizenship status, marital status or domestic partner status, genetic information, genetic predisposition or carrier status, gender identity, HIV status, military status and any other category protected by law in all employment decisions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, compensation, training and apprenticeship, promotion, upgrading, demotion, downgrading, transfer, lay-off and termination, and all other terms and conditions of employment.

PR and Marketing Manager [Blanton Museum of Art]

Contact Person: Kathleen Stimpert Phone: 512-475-6784
Email Address: kathleen.bradystimpert@blantonmuseum.org
Apply URL: http://blantonmuseum.org
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Job Description

Reporting to the Director of PR & Marketing, the PR & Marketing Manager shares in the responsibility to promote the Blanton’s collection, programs, activities, exhibitions, and facilities to local, national, and international media; assists with all marketing initiatives to favorably position and brand the museum and its programs, and to facilitate audience and visitor growth in support of the museum’s mission and goals. The PR & Marketing Manager is also responsible for building ongoing public interest and support for the Blanton though community outreach, partnerships, and collaborations.

Job Requirements

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
– Assists in the creation and execution of overall marketing and public relations strategies for the museum
– Assists with securing local, regional, national, and international media coverage of the museum’s exhibitions, collections, public programs, fundraising activities, and other initiatives

-Assists with copywriting for press releases, marketing materials, and other forms of media outreach, as assigned

-Serves as museum spokesperson, as assigned by the PR director, for TV appearances, radio interviews, etc.

– Works with tourism and hospitality partners to promote the museum as a cultural destination

– Assists with developing cross-promotional partnerships and collaborations with key arts and business organizations

– Works with outside vendors including advertising representatives, PR consultants, etc.

– Assists with media buys and negotiations for media sponsorships for events and programs
– Assists with the production and approval of collateral, including rack cards, signage, advertisements, and copy for radio and television spots

– Assists with brand enforcement, ensuring consistency of design and messaging for all marketing campaigns and communications

-Oversees all invoice processing

-Represents Blanton at internal, campus-wide, and community functions
-Manages interns and work-study students

SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS:
-Must have three to five years experience in a related field.

-Bachelor’s degree required (masters degree preferred) in communications, marketing or liberal arts.

-Must have experience in planning and conducting marketing and communications campaigns. (Knowledge of non-profit branding initiatives preferred.)

-Prior experience working in museums or in arts marketing preferred.

-Must have excellent, demonstrated written, oral, interpersonal, and communication skills (including editing ability), and must be able to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.

Knowledge of arts and culture press is important. Nonprofit experience, particularly with an art museum, is preferred as is knowledge of local and national arts and audience trends.

Should have an ability to work flexibly and collaboratively. Must be able to perform effectively in a fast-paced environment with a high level of creativity and self-direction.

Interested parties must apply via the University of Texas website: https://utdirect.utexas.edu/apps/hr/jobs/nlogon/150508018678

The University of Texas at Austin is an Equal Opportunity Employer with a commitment to diversity at all levels. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability or veteran status. (Compliant with the new VEVRAA and Section 503 Rules)

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