Museum Educator, Academic Initiatives
The University of Chicago

Job Info

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Department

AI Feitler Center/Academic Initiatives

About the Department

As the fine arts museum of the University of Chicago, the Smart Museum of Art is a site for rigorous inquiry and exchange that encourages the examination of complex issues through the lens of art objects and artistic practice. Through strong scholarly and community collaborations and a welcoming approach to its exhibitions, collections, publications, research and teaching, and public programs, the Smart Museum plays a dynamic role in expanding artistic canons, rethinking received histories, introducing new perspectives, and engaging diverse communities-locally, nationally, and internationally. The Smart Museum will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2024.

Job Summary

The position of Museum Educator, Academic Initiatives is designed to deepen the Smart Museum's commitment to research, teaching, and learning at the University of Chicago and within Chicago's higher education ecosystem more broadly. Reporting to the Director of the Feitler Center for Academic Inquiry and Head of Education, the position will administer all aspects of academic initiatives, including collections research, class engagement, curricular and co-curricular programs, and pedagogical exhibitions. They will closely collaborate with Smart staff, students, and colleagues at the University of Chicago to create and co-create meaningful experiences with students and educators and to integrate arts education across disciplines. The Museum Educator, Academic Initiatives will be responsible for supporting fiscally-sound departmental operations with sustainable initiatives, effective workflows, and a vibrant workplace culture. This is a full-time, benefits eligible position.

Responsibilities

• Collaborates in the development, coordination, and implementation of innovative, inclusive, meaningful, and sustainable academic research, teaching, and learning initiatives.
• Schedules and facilitates College and University class visits from across disciplines to the Smart Museum's study room(s) and galleries. Regularly teaches and co-teaches, alongside academic educators, to support such visits.
• Researches artwork in the Smart Museum's collection and exhibitions to support teaching and learning, and actively works to support and create reparative and inclusive collections research materials, narratives, language and descriptions, metadata, ethical cataloging practices and institutional archives.
• Proactively seeks new and creative ways to increase, collaborate in, and refine curricular engagement- embracing a diversity of learning styles-with the Smart Museum's collections and exhibitions. Pursues opportunities to present about the Smart's research, teaching, and learning initiatives to faculty, instructors, students, and other academic stakeholders, and to expand visibility of the Smart Museum and the Feitler Center's pedagogical services.
• Supervises limited-term and grant-funded positions, which also have dotted reporting lines to the Director of the Feitler Center and Head of Education.
• Assists in the equitable practices and processes of hiring, training, supervising, and mentoring undergraduate and graduate students, fellows, residents, and other professionals at the Smart.
• In collaboration with the Director of the Feitler Center, convenes, coordinates, and continues to help improve work with the Feitler Center Faculty Advisory Committee.
• Maintains current knowledge of best practices, new tools and methodologies, and standards in museum education, higher education, and integrating the arts into research, teaching, and learning across disciplines.
• In collaboration with Registration and Preparation, together with the Study Room Assistant, participates as needed in the movement of collection materials, including their display in the study room(s), rehousing, tracking and other record-keeping, and digitization projects.
• In tandem with the Museum Educator, K-12 Initiatives and with Smart curators, creates exhibition and collections guides, curriculum and pedagogical workshops, and other learning materials and experiences that serve to connect educators to exhibitions, collections, and resources at the Smart Museum.
• Working closely with the Manager of Campus and Community Engagement, identifies and aids in the facilitation of curricular and co-curricular academic programs. In addition to academic programs, supports in conceiving and implementing other engagement strategies for the Feitler Center, including but not limited to: digital and print communications and promotions, publications, roundtables and convenings, research cohorts, and community access programs.
• Builds, sustains, and strengthens bi-directional academic partnerships through the support and coordination of pedagogical exhibitions. In collaboration with the Director of the Feitler Center and the Smart curatorial team, provides process support for exhibitions with faculty and students, guiding them through the practice of exhibition planning, management, realization, and activation.
• Participates in the administration of pedagogical exhibition projects, including working jointly on the concept and approach, generating checklists and securing loans (when applicable), assisting in interpretive materials as well installation design and plans. Provides support to accompanying printed or digital publications, when relevant.
• Representing the Smart Museum, participates in peer committees on campus, academic and pedagogical presentations, special events, and other opportunities for community building at the university and in Chicago.
• Collaborates in the creation, maintenance, and refinement of a team-wide project management database and long-term planning projects.
• Assists in maintaining instruments for feedback, assessments, and reports on academic engagement.
• Supports in preparing and tracking relevant budgets, paperwork, and project documentation and communications.
• Participates in the research and writing of grants, cases for support, and other fundraising materials to fund learning and engagement programs.
• Guides the execution of plans to ensure the care, management, and operations of University museums. Uses breadth and depth of experience of museum operations and conservation to preserve, document, showcase, and enrich permanent collections.
• Negotiates with individual and institutional supporters to secure funding. Promotes the museum's ability to serve as an academic resource for students, faculty, and the public.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
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Work Experience:
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
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Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Advanced graduate degree in a related field.

Experience:

• Prior experience in developing and/or working with academic curriculum, learning theories and pedagogical strategies, or academic programs.
• Experience in fundraising.

Technical Skills:

• Strong computer skills and familiarity with technology tools available, including Microsoft Suites, Google Suites, project management programs and other databases.
• Previous work experience with TMS.

Preferred Competencies

• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.
• Demonstrable background in developing effective, collaborative partnerships, building positive relationships, and creating programs that empower academic communities.
• Versed in introducing and integrating arts education across disciplinary classrooms and/or interests.
• Engage different learning styles and coordinate experiential learning opportunities.
• Knowledge of best practices in the fields of academic engagement, museum education, and/or higher education.
• Understanding of museum standards regarding the care, management, and handling of museum collection objects, and knowledge of legal and ethical issues surrounding a museum collection.
• Proven ability to work effectively independently, in a team environment, and collaborating across organizational structures; dedicated to fostering a workplace of belonging.
• Manage projects from concept to completion, while fostering partnerships and collaborations.
• Exceptional written/oral communication, organization, and time management skills.
• Strong project management, problem solving, and conflict resolution skills.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)

When applying, the document(s) MUSTbe uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family

Museum & Arts

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

FLSA Status

Exempt

Pay Frequency

Monthly

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Benefits Eligible

Yes

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at:http://securityreport.uchicago.edu.Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.

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