Oklahoma Indigent Defense System
OKPOP Curator of Storytelling
Oklahoma Indigent Defense System, Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States, 74145
OKPOP Curator of Storytelling at Oklahoma Indigent Defense System
Position Summary
The Curator of Storytelling is OKPOP’s chief narrative strategist and public champion. This role leads the development, integration, and delivery of the museum’s stories across exhibitions, collections interpretation, media, and public programs. Equal parts editor-in-chief, showrunner, and producer, the Curator of Storytelling turns Oklahoma pop-culture history into compelling, accurate, and accessible visitor experiences—on site, online, and on tour.
This position provides direct leadership and operational oversight of the Production, Education, and Exhibits teams—aligning people, budgets, schedules, and deliverables—and collaborates deeply with Curator and Collections/Registration to ensure ethical, accurate, and inclusive storytelling. The role also stewards relationships with artists, estates, studios, lenders, and community partners.
Core Responsibilities Narrative Strategy & Leadership
Own the museum-wide storytelling vision, standards; ensure alignment with OKPOP’s mission, values, and audience goals.
Collaborate with Curator to lead interpretive planning for permanent galleries, rotating shows, and pop-ups; set success criteria and KPIs for visitor understanding, engagement, and accessibility.
Manage and mentor a multidisciplinary team (writers, producers, editors, educators, exhibit developers); oversee contractors and creative partners.
Manage schedules for exhibits, media, and interpretive deliverables; track progress and report to leadership.
Exhibitions & Collections Interpretation
Translate collection assets, loans, and archival materials into clear interpretive frameworks (themes, story arcs, key objects, multimedia).
Partner with Curatorial, Registrar, and Collections on loans, rights, and documentation; ensure accurate label copy, credits, and provenance.
Guide exhibit scripts, digital labels, interactives, and AV content; review for accuracy, clarity, tone, and ADA/accessibility compliance.
Maintain high standards of inclusivity, cultural sensitivity, and community consent (e.g., FPIC principles where applicable).
Media & Content Production
Serve as executive producer for OKPOP media (short-form video, podcasts, oral histories, social storytelling, in-gallery films).
Oversee pre-production, production, and post—including editorial calendars, scripts, interviews, rights/permissions, and delivery specs.
Ensure all media is versioned appropriately for in-gallery, web, and social platforms; steward a modern metadata and asset-management workflow.
Education, Programs & Community Engagement
Oversee Education to develop tours, curriculum, talks, and workshops that extend exhibit narratives and media literacy.
Present OKPOP stories at conferences, festivals, and partner events; host or moderate select public programs and recordings.
Cultivate collaborative relationships with artists, estates, tribal nations, schools, studios, and cultural organizations.
Brand, Access & Evaluation
Uphold a unified interpretive voice across galleries, print, web, and social.
Champion accessibility (ADA compliance, multiple reading levels, bilingual or multilingual approaches where appropriate).
Define and track engagement metrics (e.g., dwell time, interactive completion, learning outcomes, digital reach); iterate using visitor feedback and evaluation.
Management Duties
Hire, train, schedule, and evaluate staff; foster a positive, growth-minded culture with clear goals and feedback.
Administer policies consistently; prepare required reports and documentation on time.
Supervise and coordinate the day-to-day work of the Production, Education, and Exhibits teams, setting priorities, clearing blockers, and aligning deliverables to schedule and budget.
Coordinate closely with Marketing/Communications on editorial calendars and content launches.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree and four (4) years of professional experience in museum or public administration.
Strong written and verbal communication skills; demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage complex schedules/budgets.
Preferred Qualifications
2+ years’ experience crafting interpretive content through historical/journalistic research, narrative or documentary production, or related storytelling roles.
Experience in museums or cultural organizations; familiarity with registration/loan practices, rights/permissions, and ethical storytelling.
Proficiency with media workflows (pre-pro through post) and basic familiarity with Adobe Creative Cloud or similar tools.
Demonstrated commitment to inclusive practice, community collaboration, and accessibility.
Key Competencies
Editorial excellence: clear, audience-aware writing and rigorous fact-checking.
Producer mindset: organized, deadline-driven, and solutions-oriented.
Collaborative leadership: empathetic, communicative, and good at giving/receiving feedback.
Cultural fluency: deep interest in Oklahoma’s contributions to music, film/TV, comics, literature, design, and broader pop culture.
Public presence: confident presenter and facilitator for diverse audiences.
Work Environment & Expectations
Primary worksite: OKPOP Museum, Tulsa, OK, with occasional in-state travel for interviews, field shoots, and partner meetings.
Some evenings/weekends for events, programs, and installations.
Ability to lift and move media or exhibit equipment as needed in coordination with Facilities/Exhibits teams.
Education And Experience
Bachelor’s or higher in History, Museum Studies, Film/Media Production, Journalism, Public History, or related field.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include knowledge of the preparation of informational material; of Oklahoma history; of principles of living history; of appropriate costuming styles; of education theories and applications; of survey development; ability to managing multiple projects; and of supervisory principles and practices.
Ability is required to train; to establish and maintain working relationships with others; to communicate effectively both orally and in writing; to perform historical research; to coordinate and supervise the production of large scale living history events; and to manage program funds.
Equal Opportunity Employment The State of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of genetic information, race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, or disability. Current active State of Oklahoma employees must apply for open positions internally through the Workday Jobs Hub.
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This position provides direct leadership and operational oversight of the Production, Education, and Exhibits teams—aligning people, budgets, schedules, and deliverables—and collaborates deeply with Curator and Collections/Registration to ensure ethical, accurate, and inclusive storytelling. The role also stewards relationships with artists, estates, studios, lenders, and community partners.
Core Responsibilities Narrative Strategy & Leadership
Own the museum-wide storytelling vision, standards; ensure alignment with OKPOP’s mission, values, and audience goals.
Collaborate with Curator to lead interpretive planning for permanent galleries, rotating shows, and pop-ups; set success criteria and KPIs for visitor understanding, engagement, and accessibility.
Manage and mentor a multidisciplinary team (writers, producers, editors, educators, exhibit developers); oversee contractors and creative partners.
Manage schedules for exhibits, media, and interpretive deliverables; track progress and report to leadership.
Exhibitions & Collections Interpretation
Translate collection assets, loans, and archival materials into clear interpretive frameworks (themes, story arcs, key objects, multimedia).
Partner with Curatorial, Registrar, and Collections on loans, rights, and documentation; ensure accurate label copy, credits, and provenance.
Guide exhibit scripts, digital labels, interactives, and AV content; review for accuracy, clarity, tone, and ADA/accessibility compliance.
Maintain high standards of inclusivity, cultural sensitivity, and community consent (e.g., FPIC principles where applicable).
Media & Content Production
Serve as executive producer for OKPOP media (short-form video, podcasts, oral histories, social storytelling, in-gallery films).
Oversee pre-production, production, and post—including editorial calendars, scripts, interviews, rights/permissions, and delivery specs.
Ensure all media is versioned appropriately for in-gallery, web, and social platforms; steward a modern metadata and asset-management workflow.
Education, Programs & Community Engagement
Oversee Education to develop tours, curriculum, talks, and workshops that extend exhibit narratives and media literacy.
Present OKPOP stories at conferences, festivals, and partner events; host or moderate select public programs and recordings.
Cultivate collaborative relationships with artists, estates, tribal nations, schools, studios, and cultural organizations.
Brand, Access & Evaluation
Uphold a unified interpretive voice across galleries, print, web, and social.
Champion accessibility (ADA compliance, multiple reading levels, bilingual or multilingual approaches where appropriate).
Define and track engagement metrics (e.g., dwell time, interactive completion, learning outcomes, digital reach); iterate using visitor feedback and evaluation.
Management Duties
Hire, train, schedule, and evaluate staff; foster a positive, growth-minded culture with clear goals and feedback.
Administer policies consistently; prepare required reports and documentation on time.
Supervise and coordinate the day-to-day work of the Production, Education, and Exhibits teams, setting priorities, clearing blockers, and aligning deliverables to schedule and budget.
Coordinate closely with Marketing/Communications on editorial calendars and content launches.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree and four (4) years of professional experience in museum or public administration.
Strong written and verbal communication skills; demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage complex schedules/budgets.
Preferred Qualifications
2+ years’ experience crafting interpretive content through historical/journalistic research, narrative or documentary production, or related storytelling roles.
Experience in museums or cultural organizations; familiarity with registration/loan practices, rights/permissions, and ethical storytelling.
Proficiency with media workflows (pre-pro through post) and basic familiarity with Adobe Creative Cloud or similar tools.
Demonstrated commitment to inclusive practice, community collaboration, and accessibility.
Key Competencies
Editorial excellence: clear, audience-aware writing and rigorous fact-checking.
Producer mindset: organized, deadline-driven, and solutions-oriented.
Collaborative leadership: empathetic, communicative, and good at giving/receiving feedback.
Cultural fluency: deep interest in Oklahoma’s contributions to music, film/TV, comics, literature, design, and broader pop culture.
Public presence: confident presenter and facilitator for diverse audiences.
Work Environment & Expectations
Primary worksite: OKPOP Museum, Tulsa, OK, with occasional in-state travel for interviews, field shoots, and partner meetings.
Some evenings/weekends for events, programs, and installations.
Ability to lift and move media or exhibit equipment as needed in coordination with Facilities/Exhibits teams.
Education And Experience
Bachelor’s or higher in History, Museum Studies, Film/Media Production, Journalism, Public History, or related field.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include knowledge of the preparation of informational material; of Oklahoma history; of principles of living history; of appropriate costuming styles; of education theories and applications; of survey development; ability to managing multiple projects; and of supervisory principles and practices.
Ability is required to train; to establish and maintain working relationships with others; to communicate effectively both orally and in writing; to perform historical research; to coordinate and supervise the production of large scale living history events; and to manage program funds.
Equal Opportunity Employment The State of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of genetic information, race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, or disability. Current active State of Oklahoma employees must apply for open positions internally through the Workday Jobs Hub.
#J-18808-Ljbffr