Head of School Programs

Position Summary

About Crystal Bridges

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. Our vision is to activate an institution that transforms lives through experiences that encourage the discovery of new ideas, expanded dreams and inspired actions.

Crystal Bridges is committed to creating an institution that reflects the diversity of our region and nation.  We are especially mindful of those in our community impacted by inequity due to ability, language, class, age, gender, religion, sexuality, race and ethnicity, and are working diligently to address perceived and real barriers that keep anyone from fully experiencing the museum as a guest, volunteer, or employee.  To achieve true reform, we must have a diverse, highly qualified team dedicated to:

• providing an unparalleled guest experience for all,

• offering relevant programs,

• developing an inclusive collection,

• demonstrating progressive leadership. 

We will not compromise in the time, energy and effort required to achieve our collective, articulated goals.

Culture Pillars

Each one of us is a vital component of this team, empowered and responsible for fulfilling the mission and vision.

We are united in our purpose and in our obligation to act respectfully and with integrity.

• We listen actively and speak honestly

• We honor our commitments

• We champion lifelong learning

• We are unstoppable when we work together

History

Crystal Bridges was founded in 2005 by the Walton Family Foundation as a non-profit charitable organization for all to enjoy. Philanthropist and arts patron Alice Walton chairs the Museum’s board of directors. The building was designed by world-renowned architect Moshe Safdie and opened to the public on 11-11-11.

Crystal Bridges takes its name from a nearby natural spring and the bridge construction incorporated in the building, designed by world-renowned architect Moshe Safdie. A series of pavilions nestled around two spring-fed ponds house galleries, meeting and classroom spaces, and a large, glass-enclosed gathering hall. Guest amenities include a restaurant on a glass-enclosed bridge overlooking the ponds, a Museum Store designed by architect Marlon Blackwell, and a library featuring more than 50,000 volumes of art reference material. Sculpture and walking trails link the Museum's 120-acre park to downtown Bentonville, Arkansas.

The Collection

Crystal Bridges’ permanent collection spans five centuries of American masterworks ranging from the Colonial era to the current day. Included within the collection are iconic images such as Asher B. Durand’s Kindred Spirits, Kerry James Marshall’s Our Town, Norman Rockwell’s  Rosie the Riveter, and Andy Warhol’s Coca-Cola [3]— each reflecting a distinct moment in American artistic evolution—as well as major works by modern and contemporary American artists, including Alma Thomas, Luis Jimenez,

Georgia O’Keeffe, Louise Bourgeois, Felix Gonzales-Torres, and James Turrell. The permanent collection, which continues to grow through a strategic acquisition plan, is on view year-round and is enhanced by an array of temporary exhibitions.

Education and Engagement

Crystal Bridges provides year-round programming for all ages, including lectures, performances, classes, and continuing education for K-12 teachers. More than 45,000 schoolchildren visit the Museum each year as part of the Willard and Pat Walker School Visit Program, which offers schools reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses associated with a school field trip, including transportation costs, substitute teachers, and lunch. A new initiative to develop high-quality distance learning opportunities for students and teachers is currently under way.

Position Overview

The Head of School Programs is responsible for the overall strategic development, long-term planning, and evaluation of the museum’s K-12 school and teacher programs, which prioritize access, innovation, diversity, inclusion, and a commitment to making educational impact. Working with the Chief Education Officer, this person is responsible for the design, development, and implementation of all school and teacher programs while working towards a larger strategic vision.

The Head of School Programs is responsible for the daily operation of the department, serves as a leader to the team, and is responsible for staff recruitment and training, and the school programs budget. This person serves as a member of the Museum’s Leadership team and works in collaboration with administrators, staff and volunteers at all levels. This person reports directly to the Chief Education Officer and manages a team of 19 staff members including 4 direct reports.

Qualifications & Responsibilities

Responsibilities/Essential Functions:

• Implement the strategic plan for K-12 student and teacher programs, with a focus on innovation, impact, relevance, and accessibility.

• Oversee and support the development, management, and delivery of all offerings for school audiences, including school tours, teacher resource materials, educator professional development, open houses, special events, homeschool programs and resources, and multi-year school wide partnerships.

• Responsible for maintaining the creative and strategic growth and sustainability of endowed education programs which represent significant commitment and areas of importance for the museum’s mission. These include the Walker School Visit Program which aims to serve 50,000 students annually and the Windgate Initiative which identifies critical education issues facing schools and develops arts-based initiatives to improve student outcomes.

• Cultivate and manage endowments, grants, and financial sponsorships as directed. Responsible for the distribution of all endowment funds and sponsorships that support the department’s programs.

• Work closely with the Chief Education Officer to develop, implement, and scale online learning.

• Work with regional, state, and national education officials in ongoing education reform initiatives, pre-service teacher programs, and curriculum development.

• In collaboration with museum’s Research and Evaluation team, develop and deliver front end, formative, and summative evaluations of programs on a continual basis

• Manage the complex daily operations of the school programs department

• Manage all resources including budgets and allocations, supplies, and spaces.

• Create reports and analysis on a monthly, quarterly, and yearly basis

• Represent the Museum when needed (regionally and nationally) and make appropriate contributions to the field.

• Cultivate and strengthen strategic alliances with school districts and learning institutions.  

• Along with the Head of Community Programs and the Head of Public Programs, serve as a member of the Education department’s leadership team and work to promote cohesion and collaboration across the department.

Traits, Skills, and Abilities:

• Demonstrated skill in creating age appropriate learning materials

• Understanding of art museum pedagogy and theory such as Visual Thinking Strategies, dialogical models, visible thinking and free-choice learning

• Understanding of distance and online learning including instructional design

• Knowledgeable about the visual arts, and their connections to academic areas including history, language arts, and science

• A critical thinker who can analyze data, and capitalize on information

• A confident, intelligent and articulate entrepreneur who is creative, energetic, and accountable, yet collaborative and team-oriented

• An outgoing and generous leader of the team and member of the Education department; one who shares information easily, listens as well as gives advice and respects the abilities of others, and has a high level of emotional intelligence

• They must be comfortable working with donors, patrons, and local officials on fund-raising, policy reform, and educational initiatives

• Strong and persuasive communication skills

• A self-starter with strong motivation to succeed

• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage numerous projects simultaneously

• Must be able to work evenings and weekends as program schedule demands

• Must project credibility, influence, and demonstrate ethical and professional behavior

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in areas such as the Arts, Education, or Humanities

• 5 or more years of progressively responsible experience working in museums, schools, cultural organizations, or other relevant settings

• Demonstrated management and administrative abilities

• Experience with curriculum development, program development and evaluation, and audience research

Licenses and Certifications:

• Valid driver’s license required

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.