ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT
OVERVIEW: Oversee innovative, accessible, and engaging programming for adult and inter-generational audiences and their communities at Seattle Art Museum, Seattle Asian Art Museum and Olympic Sculpture Park. Key to this position is building relationships with other arts organizations and community partners, staying aware of current best practices in the field, working as a liaison between the Education & Public Program departments, cultivating and supporting staff development, and establishing high standards for the entire public programs team. Centers equity, accessibility, and anti-racist practices in the management and direction of the public engagement area.
APPLICATIONS DUE: October 21, 2024
FLSA STATUS: Exempt
REPORTS TO: Kayla Skinner Deputy Director for Education & Public Engagement
COMPENSATION: $74,000-$82,500 annual salary DOE
BENEFITS: Full time employees are covered by medical, dental, vision, basic life insurance/LTD/AD&D. Employees are able to enroll in our company’s 403b plan. Employees will also receive ten days of sick leave and ten days of vacation leave every year, twelve paid holidays and one floating holiday throughout the calendar year. Additional benefits include subsidized transportation (ORCA business passport), access to fitness facility, and museum membership.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Strategically create, plan, and implement all aspects of Public Engagement, articulating a clear vision for the department and its activities with the goal of SAM being a leader in equitable, high quality art experiences.
- Ensure access to SAM through collaborative partnerships and outreach programs. Establish and maintain relationships with individuals, groups, and institutions in an effort to extend museum services to a wider community. Build and foster reciprocal relationships with other organizations.
- Working with curators, community advisors, museum educators, artists, and performers to research, develop, and execute public programs for adult audiences in connection with the museum’s special exhibitions and permanent collections.
- Actively build and foster strong connections with leaders in the museum field in order to disseminate SAM’s educational work, lead collaborative initiatives, and serve as a spokesperson. Stay abreast of and responsive to peer environments.
- Lead department staff in creating goals and action steps related to creative projects within the department, including education programs (i.e. lectures, panel discussions, gallery talks, and symposia), large scale events and openings (i.e. late-night and outdoor programming, tours, performances, film series), and community partnership programs.
- Support existing programs and develop new work systems to promote better coordination and alignment. Program responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- In collaboration with the Deputy Director of Education and Public Engagement and Associate Directors of Education and Interpretation, work to increase and deepen participation of diverse audiences in museum activities and expand the level of community awareness, interest, and appreciation for art.
- As part of the division’s management team, develop strategic long-range plans, including annual goals, staffing plans and professional development activities, evaluation strategies, project priorities, and budgeting.
- Analyze target audiences and develop appropriate and effective outreach strategies. Work with Marketing and Communications to ensure effective promotion of all public programs through the museum’s program guide, print materials, press releases, signage, paid digital and social media, and other forms of communication and outreach; create material for the museum website, blog, and membership and subscriber newsletters.
- Serve as a liaison between other departments regarding matters related to public engagement programs. Forge collaborative relationships with other departments to develop convergent offerings that create links between programs as well as shared strategies for audience engagement.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Art History, Museum Studies, Arts Management, Cultural Studies, or the equivalent combination of education/experience. Master’s degree preferred.
- 5 – 10 years of relevant experience in public programming with responsibilities in planning, development, and implementation of complex educational/public programs.
- Extensive training in and commitment to equity, anti-racist pedagogy, and inclusive practice.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills; ability to communicate effectively in writing, in person, and over the phone.
- Knowledge of volunteer management; program development and administration; budget development and management; and membership recruitment, maintenance, and benefit programs.
- Demonstrated proficiency and accuracy using MS Office products, including Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, and other software programs.
- Passion for the dual mission of achieving artistic and educational excellence and broad audience participation.
- Working knowledge of innovative approaches to cultural programming and museum practice.
- Demonstrated ability to work well with artists and community partners.
- Organizational ability with strong management and supervisory skills.
- Ability to work accurately with close attention to detail and maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.
- Ability to work with co-workers, volunteers, and the public professionally and tactfully, to adhere to Museum policies and to support management decisions and goals in a positive, professional manner.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Exposure: Work areas are primarily inside, in a climate-controlled environment with light background noise. Work is occasionally performed at other indoor and outdoor sites.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES REQUIRED FOR ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Stationary Work: Approximately 75% of time is spent stationary while working at a desk. Balance of time (approximately 25%) is spent moving around the work area. Occasional extended periods of standing may be required when assisting at Museum events.
Communication: Clear and effective communication with volunteers, donors, members, the public, and co-workers is necessary.
Vision: Corrected vision close to 20/20 is necessary to effectively use the computer screens.
Moving: The ability to move up to twenty pounds on occasion is necessary for moving files, equipment, and supplies. Must be able to regularly position self to access files.
Office Work: Ability to effectively and regularly operate a computer, keyboard, and other office productivity machinery, such as copy machines and printers, and ability to inspect, prepare and use paperwork, files, equipment, and supplies is necessary.
Centering equity, diversity, and inclusion as an organization, and as individuals, Seattle Art Museum (SAM) is committed to ensuring that all employees and volunteers enjoy a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming workplace. SAM is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, honorably discharged veteran or military status, retaliation or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability.
The Seattle Art Museum will consider applicants who may need a reasonable accommodation to perform the essential functions/duties. Please contact the Human Resources Department at (206) 654-3188 or HR@seattleartmuseum.org for additional information or to request reasonable accommodations for the application or interview process.
Offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a criminal background check.
Candidates should apply by October 21, 2024. Please note that applications are only accepted through SAM's Careers page at https://seattleartmuseum.applytojob.com/apply/S2ExBBkGVb/Associate-Director-Of-Public-Engagement.
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