Tacoma Art Museum seeks an experienced and creative museum educator to enhance opportunities for adult learning via tours, volunteer education, and in-gallery interpretive strategies. Tacoma Art Museum is a public-spirited institution with nationally recognized exhibitions and a strategic focus on education. Founded in 1935, the museum has strong roots in the community and anchors Tacoma’s downtown university and museum district. This is a transformative time at the museum with growth in the facilities, collections, and visibility. It’s an exciting moment to join the TAM family!

Position Objective

Working closely with the Education and Curatorial teams, the Educator for Adult Learning plays a critical role in defining and creating the Museum’s interpretive strategies for adult learners through docent and volunteer education, guided and self-guided tours, in-gallery resources, and new technologies. This position manages and develops all aspects of TAM’s volunteer programs, including recruiting and supervising volunteers.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Work with Education and the Curatorial teams to define and create TAM’s interpretive strategies for adult learners that are relevant and directly connected to TAM’s collections, exhibitions, mission, and goals.

Provide management and development for all aspects of the volunteer programs at TAM, including strategically recruiting well-qualified and engaged individuals, coordinating effective training efforts, evaluating volunteer performance and satisfaction, and producing timely communication.
Work with staff members to identify volunteer opportunities that support and enhance the work of the museum. Create and update volunteer job descriptions and responsibilities.
Produce timely correspondence and update handbooks and reference materials to keep volunteers abreast of changes, new museum activities, exhibitions, and information.
Create continuing education opportunities for volunteers.

6. Work with the Curatorial and Education teams to plan and implement annual docent training curricula that adequately prepares docents to provide meaningful and engaging, conversation-based experiences with original works of art. Teach docent training on art history, the collection, and dialogical techniques.

7. Conduct adult tours as needed and evaluate tours to continually improve offerings and ensure positive experiences for museum visitors.

8. Research the collections and exhibitions, as well as best practices in volunteer management, docent training, gallery interpretation, and use of technology in the museum setting.

Create and manage program area budgets.

10. Work with Development and Communications Departments to develop materials for grants, advertisements, press coverage, website, and other promotional materials in a timely manner.

11. Contribute to departmental discussions and brainstorming sessions and work departmental events as needed.

Qualifications

· Master’s degree in art history or related field.

· Three to five years professional experience working in or with art museums, including teaching from original works of art.

· One to three years successful experience managing volunteers and docents.

· Interest in and understanding of new technologies.

· Demonstrated experience creating gallery didactics and interpretation strategies.

· Strong written and oral communication skills, effective problem solving, flexibility, and sense of humor.

· Ability to forge and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of individuals. Exhibits an awareness and sensitivity to cultural and other differences when working with representatives of public and private organizations, volunteers, vendors, museum staff and the general public.

· Must be a self-starter, show attention to detail, and possess excellent organizational skills. Ability to work accurately and efficiently and keep track of numerous projects simultaneously.

· Proficient in Microsoft Office applications.

· Willing to work evenings and weekends, and remain accessible when away from the Museum, so the requirements of this position can be fully met.

· The qualified candidate must possess a compatible commitment to the museum brand personality: smart, dynamic, innovative, passionate, civic-minded, gracious, approachable.

To Apply

· Please email a succinct cover letter and resume to [log in to unmask].

· Include “Educator for Adult Learning: First Name Last Name” in subject line.

· Full time exempt. Salary range $37,000 - $40,000, depending on experience.

· No phone inquiries, please.

Closing Date

· Applications accepted until June 15, 2015.