Museum Educator, Studio Programs

The mission of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is to welcome all to celebrate the American spirit in a setting that unites the power of art with the beauty of nature. Founded by philanthropist and arts patron Alice Walton, Crystal Bridges is a public non-profit charitable organization. Job Description: Position Title: Museum Educator, Studio Programs Position Type: Full-time FLSA Classification: Exempt Division: Learning & Engagement Department: Public Programs Reports to: Manager of Studio, Public Programs Compensation Range: $44,100 - $50,000 About Crystal Bridges: Crystal Bridges is a museum of American art located in Bentonville, Arkansas. We explore the unfolding story of America by actively collecting, exhibiting, interpreting, and preserving outstanding works that illuminate the American heritage and artistic possibilities. Founded by Alice Walton in 2005, the museum opened in 2011 and is a public, non-profit charitable organization with free admission. Position Summary: The Museum Educator, Studio Programs, at Crystal Bridges Museum and The Momentary (CBMO) is responsible for developing and implementing diverse and engaging programming across both spaces. This role involves creating programs inspired by CBMO collections, exhibitions, architecture, wellness initiatives, and nature, which aim to grow studio and artmaking audiences and align with the identity of the two spaces. Emphasis is placed on designing studio classes for youth and adults, creating content for drop-in artmaking spaces, collaborating with artists, and supporting the Manager of Studio Programs in executing engagements. Success in this role requires embracing innovation, a growth mindset, and collaboration, along with a keen understanding of studio practices for all audiences and awareness of cultural trends. The role champions inclusivity and community engagement, encouraging joyful learning, diverse perspectives, and social connections. Close collaboration with internal colleagues, artists, performers, volunteers, and community partners is crucial, and flexibility to work evenings and weekends is essential for program scheduling. Principal Responsibilities: Plan and teach select programs on the museum’s roster of studio programs. Develop artmaking projects for drop-in artmaking spaces, such as the classroom and The Studio, and as a part of large family programs and adult social programs. Create content for programs aligning with the Crystal Bridge’s pillars of Art, Architecture, and Nature, and Music, Food, and Art for the Momentary. Collaborate with the Manager of Studio Programs on planning engagements for large parties and festivals, as needed. Develop engagement activities to activate CBMO spaces and drive consistent guest traffic when programming is not occurring. Work closely with Community Engagement team on co-hosted partner programs that encompass artmaking. Collaborate with the Public Program colleagues to develop topics for guide training, contract guest speakers, and facilitate training sessions to enhance the ongoing education of the volunteer guides. Develop new tour content and gallery programs to diversify the offerings at CBMO. Research and implement innovative strategies for incorporating artmaking in tours, gallery programming, and museum-wide engagements. Work closely with the Studio Program Manager on both informal and formal assessments for all programs. Work closely with the community engagement team to establish a diverse presenter network and actively engage with the local community. Keep systems up to date with program details for planning, marketing, and public attendance. Consistently monitor and evaluate programs against strategic objectives of reach, revenue, and reputation. Work with the division’s strategic operations team to coordinate marketing and communications needs, event production needs and business and program planning efforts. Draft marketing copy for assigned programs. Additional Responsibilities Work with fellow staff to ensure the best available standards of care and protection for all works in the permanent collection and incoming loans. Champion research, scholarship, and professional development with partner institutions, especially Fisk University and the University of Arkansas. Serve as an ambassador for Crystal Bridges locally, nationally, and internationally. Collaborate with Art Bridges and other entities across Art & Wellness Enterprises, as needed. Work with guest curators and consultants. Supervise work study students and interns, as required. Assist with preparation of budgets for curatorial operations and grant applications. Perform additional duties as assigned. Qualifications and Skills: Bachelor’s degree in studio art, art education, or related field required. Practicing artist with formal education in studio arts or art education. Experience in planning and presenting educational programs in an art museum setting, or equivalent experience required. Demonstrated skill in a variety of two- and three-dimensional media. Ability to teach studio-based classes in visual arts, (beginner to intermediate level) Ability to lead gallery conversation and create meaningful connections between artwork and audience, or willingness to learn. Knowledge of the visual arts and museum pedagogy; knowledge of or willingness to learn about nature, education, and architecture. Highest ethics as they relate to all aspects of museum practices and confidentiality. Excellent verbal and written communication skills Outstanding customer service skills Ability to work independently, as well as within a team. Ability and willingness to work weekends, evenings and holidays as required. A good sense of humor and a calm demeanor under pressure. Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office applications. Ability to use or willingness to learn museum applications including Asana Bilingual (Spanish language) is a plus. Licenses and Certifications: Valid Arkansas driver’s license with clean driving record; willing and able to travel for program development and facilitation. Physical Demands and Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Physical demands: Regularly, while performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to travel independently regionally and in communities served. In the work environment described below, position requires working at a desk and utilizing a computer and a telephone, good eye/hand coordination, bending and stretching, standing and sitting in the ability to move around galleries, the classrooms, and throughout the museum, including travel on the outdoor trails. Visual acuity to review written materials is required for this job. Work Environment: Work will be performed in an office environment, museum galleries, art studios, outdoors on the trails, and in communities served. Some evening and weekend hours are required. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. The noise level in the Museum work environment is usually low to moderate All offers of employment are contingent on your successful completion (where permitted by state law) of a confidentiality agreement and background check. In addition, you will need to provide proper identification verifying your eligibility to work in the United States on your first day of work. Crystal Bridges is an equal opportunity employer committed to building and maintaining a culturally diverse workplace that is free of discrimination and harassment of any kind. We encourage women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. #LI-Onsite Art and Wellness Enterprises (AWE) provides professional support services in the areas of campus management, communications, finance, human resources and technology for these non-profits founded by Alice Walton: Alice L. Walton Foundation is a grant-making institution working to enhance the quality of life for individuals by providing access to offerings that improve well-being and create diverse and inclusive communities. Alice L. Walton School of Medicine is a four-year, medical degree-granting program that builds on foundational sciences and clinical practices with a compassionate, inclusive, and whole-person approach to care. Pending accreditation, the school will welcome its inaugural class in 2025. Art Bridges Foundation works to get great works of American art out of storage and into communities. Through partnerships with museums of all sizes across the United States, it creates and supports arts programs that educate, inspire, and deepen engagement with local audiences. Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is a museum offering free admission to a world-class collection of American art, stunning architecture and five miles of sculpture and walking trails. Momentary is a satellite contemporary art space to Crystal Bridges. This adaptive reuse project turned a decommissioned cheese factory into a place for visual and performing arts, festivals, artists-in-residence, culinary experiences, and more. Heartland Whole Health Institute is a non-profit that addresses physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being by working with health systems, employers, and communities to redesign health care delivery. To view positions open for a specific entity, select company and sort by entity name.