JOB DESCRIPTION
Director of Community Education & Engagement
Reports to: Executive Director Status: Full time, Non-Exempt
Oversees: Museum Educator and Community Outreach Coordinator
Mission and Description of the Metal Museum
The Metal Museum is the only museum of its kind in the country dedicated to preserving, promoting, and advancing the art and craft of fine metalwork. The Museum engages the metals community and the surrounding region through exhibitions, collections, studio practice, and community education and engagement. The permanent collection and exhibition program reflect a wide range and mixture of metalsmithing, including ferrous and nonferrous metals, hollowware, jewelry, enamelware, sculpture, and architectural elements. With its unique focus on artwork and fine crafts made in metal, the Metal Museum helps initiate and promote dialogue and understanding the field and its relevance in our modern culture.
Description
The Metal Museum’s community education and engagement department supports the Museum’s mission by introducing and advancing the knowledge of the art and craft of metalwork to all ages through tours, demonstrations, hands-on activities, classes, workshops, conferences, and community outreach. Through our programming we strive to:
provide a space for visitors to view, discuss, and learn about metalworking as a contemporary art form and as a making process.
provide a space for visitors to see artwork being made, engage with working artists, and be a maker themselves.
provide opportunities for both professional and nonprofessional metalsmiths to network and learn from other artists in the field.
educate the public of metalworking beyond traditional uses.
The Director of Community Education and Engagement directs the vision of the Metal Museum’s community education and engagement programs to ensure that all programs work cohesively to engage and excite all members of our local community, as well as our national metalsmithing and maker community. This position will need to be familiar with and keep informed on trends and topics happening in the museum field as well as the metalsmithing and craft fields at large. This creative and strategic thinker will lead a team to develop, implement,
and maintain programs in all aspects of learning including exhibition and gallery education, youth and adult community workshops, beginning and advanced Metals Studios classes (in multiple areas including Foundry, Blacksmith Shop, and Fine Metals), and on- and off-site outreach programs.
The Director of Community Education and Engagement reports directly to the Executive Director, currently oversees two positions, and is a highly collaborative position working with all departments.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities
Education
Oversee education program development and lead the education and engagement staff, interns, and volunteers.
Be a key member in creating and maintaining community partnerships and ensure that any needed documents are updated and in place (e.g. MOUs, partner agreements, etc.).
Collaborate with Curatorial and Education staff to develop exhibition related educational components including in gallery education (print, digital or interactive), tour content and training, curriculum guides, activities or workshops, and other educational opportunities (e.g. gallery talks, lectures, conservations with the curator, etc.) for both temporary exhibitions and the Permanent Collection.
Continuously develop, evaluate, and refine goals, guidelines, and costs for programs and identify potential revenue generating opportunities.
Collaborate with Metals Studios staff and Education staff to organize conferences, including Forging on the River and FIRE, and identify guest instructors and demonstrators for conferences, lectures, panels, and Master classes.
Assist direct reports with planning and facilitation of education and engagement programming as needed (including but not limited to scheduling and leading tours, classes and workshops, M4 outings and staffing, and Family Fun Days)
Community Engagement and Volunteers
Oversee Repair Days, which includes (but is not limited to) volunteer registration and communication, marketing, ordering tents and other rental needs, weekend scheduling for staff and volunteers, ordering and purchasing meals, food, and drinks).
In collaboration with Community Outreach Coordinator oversee the Youth Initiative, which includes (but is not limited to) the after-school youth program and Cu in Summer. Responsibilities include working with the partner organization to ensure a good relationship and support, ordering and prepping materials, creating lesson plans for meeting times, teaching students during meeting times, recruit and oversee volunteers and interns to assist, plan and set-up reception for students, find venues to sell work, continue to develop and grow the program, etc.
Promote the Museum, classes, workshops, and volunteer opportunities at fairs, cultural events, and training seminars.
Recruit and place volunteers in specific roles on the Museum grounds and at off-site Museum events (M4 at festivals, hands-on activities, product sales, tours, etc.); provide guidance and support at events where volunteers are working, cultivate volunteer relationships, and maintain and grow the volunteer database.
Assist direct reports with planning and facilitation of education and engagement programming as needed (including but not limited to scheduling and leading tours, classes and workshops, M4 outings and staffing, and Family Fun Days)
Administrative
Create and maintain departmental budget as well as individual program budgets; oversee department purchases, submit invoices, check requests, and refunds.
Hire, train, and manage direct reports, and ensure all Education staff and interns have correct training and policy information.
Identify and implement evaluation and data tracking measures.
Submit requested information needed for grants, board reporting, etc.
Keep the Child Protection Policy updated, ensuring all staff, volunteers, and interns complete or repeat training as necessary.
Participate in diversity, equity and inclusion efforts and development goals and implementation strategies for the community education and engagement department.
Develop, review, and monitor all safety protocols for classes, workshops, demonstrations and volunteers.
Participate in the Museum’s Leadership team, including reviewing and implementing Museum policies, procedures, and strategic plans and initiatives.
Collaborate with Communications Manager to promote all educational programs through appropriate methods including print, digital media, social media, tv, and radio.
Collaborate with Development Staff to research and secure funding to support educational programming; assist staff with qualitative and quantitative data collection for grant reports and donor communications.
Other
Inform Executive Director of issues or progress.
Respond to change productively and perform other essential duties as assigned, which may include but are not limited to working the front desk and Museum Store as needed.
Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent required; associate or bachelor's degree preferred.
Minimum 5 years of experience in education and outreach preferred.
Leadership and supervisory experience (2-3 years preferred).
Experience in not-for-profit environment preferred.
Genuine interest in and knowledge of museums, metalworking, and visual arts strongly desired.
Ability to work with a diverse array of people, including Museum guests, supporters, clients, vendors, volunteers, and staff, in both large and small groups.
Skills and Technical Competencies
Exceptional project management and communication skills.
Public Speaking.
Proficiency in several computer programs, including but not limited to Microsoft Office Suite, Gmail, and Adobe preferred.
Hours, Compensation, and Benefits
The work week for this position is Tuesday through Saturday, 9:30AM – 5:00PM. Additional hours (nights and weekends) may be required. All full-time staff are expected to be available to assist with Museum events. All Museum staff must be available the week of Repair Days, which is held annually in October.
The salary starts at $55,000. Salary is contingent on experience and ability. Benefits include health insurance and a 3% Simple IRA employer match after 2 years of employment.
To Apply
Send a cover letter detailing fit and interest in position, resume, and three references to Quamesha Brown, Operations Manager, at quamesha@metalmuseum.org. Please reference “Director of Community Education” in the subject line. Please, no phone calls.
The Metal Museum is committed to building a culturally diverse staff and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We strongly encourage LGBTQIA+ individuals, people with disabilities, Black, Indigenous, and people of color to apply.
