Saginaw Valley State University
Curator of Education & Academic Engagement
Saginaw Valley State University, Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States, 49503
Curator Of Education & Academic Engagement
The Curator of Education & Academic Engagement plays a vital role in shaping the educational vision of the Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum by developing inclusive, inspiring, and thought-provoking learning experiences for audiences of all ages. This position designs and implements a wide array of educational initiativesincluding K12 tours and field trips, interdisciplinary curricula, public programs, and interpretive materialscentered on the Museum's permanent collection, archival holdings, and dynamic schedule of temporary exhibitions. In addition to leading K12 outreach and teacher engagement, the Curator works with the Director to actively cultivate partnerships and academic integration across the Saginaw Valley State University campus and general public. This includes collaborating with faculty to embed museum resources into university courses, supporting student research and experiential learning opportunities, and fostering cross-disciplinary dialogue through guest lectures, workshops, and exhibitions. The Curator may also have the opportunity to teach undergraduate courses in museum studies and related areas. With a passion for both community connection and academic inquiry, the Curator of Education & Academic Engagement advances the Museum's role as a cultural and intellectual hub for SVSU and the Great Lakes Bay Region. Essential Duties & Responsibilities: Designs, develops and implements educational and public programming and tours related to museum collections and exhibitions. Works closely with curators of temporary exhibitions to design tours and develop panels, lectures, and teacher/student guides for students and the public. Schedules phone and electronic tour requests on the calendar and maintains and coordinates group tours with other museum activities. This includes communicating information about all educational offerings at the museum and aligning programs with visitor objectives/curriculum. Handles all communications with teachers, school administrators, and others seeking group tours. Partners with the University and local organizations on creating programs and workshops for students, interns, and professionals. Prepares and distributes pre-visit educational packets, including teacher guides, lesson plans, and educational worksheets. Prints and stocks "invitation" handouts for school groups. Schedules student and other employees and volunteers to cover group tours, field trips, programs, and events. Trains student employees and other team members on how to deliver programs and give tours of the collections and exhibitions to a variety of groups. Plans and coordinates hands-on studio activities for groups, special exhibitions, and on and offsite events. Plans, creates, and assists with educational programs such as summer art camps and museum story-time sessions. Develops, compiles, and analyzes evaluations. Keeps financial records and statistics regarding the education realm. Conducts tours as necessary. Position may also teach college-level courses related to museum studies topics. Performs other duties as assigned. Supervision Received: General supervision is received from the Director of the Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum. Supervision Exercised: Functional supervision is exercised over students and other employees and gallery volunteers. Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in education, liberal arts/humanities, museum studies, history, anthropology, art history, studio art or related field. Interest in art, history, education, and students. Experience working with volunteers and students. Strong people skills; work and communicate diplomatically and courteously with staff, volunteers, guests, departments, and key stakeholders to meet common objectives and desired outcomes. Experience with the management of multiple projects and assignments concurrently. Ability to work a flexible schedule. Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and ability to learn new software quickly. Experience and ability to positively interact with a diverse campus community and region. Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without accommodations. Preferred Qualifications: Bachelor of Arts or Master's degree in Museum Education, Art Education, Studio Art, or Art History preferred. At least two (2) years of relevant experience working in museums, with children or public groups, or program development preferred. Ability to research, collect, and analyze data regarding various activities and programs. Working Conditions: Duties are generally performed inside and occasional outdoors.
The Curator of Education & Academic Engagement plays a vital role in shaping the educational vision of the Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum by developing inclusive, inspiring, and thought-provoking learning experiences for audiences of all ages. This position designs and implements a wide array of educational initiativesincluding K12 tours and field trips, interdisciplinary curricula, public programs, and interpretive materialscentered on the Museum's permanent collection, archival holdings, and dynamic schedule of temporary exhibitions. In addition to leading K12 outreach and teacher engagement, the Curator works with the Director to actively cultivate partnerships and academic integration across the Saginaw Valley State University campus and general public. This includes collaborating with faculty to embed museum resources into university courses, supporting student research and experiential learning opportunities, and fostering cross-disciplinary dialogue through guest lectures, workshops, and exhibitions. The Curator may also have the opportunity to teach undergraduate courses in museum studies and related areas. With a passion for both community connection and academic inquiry, the Curator of Education & Academic Engagement advances the Museum's role as a cultural and intellectual hub for SVSU and the Great Lakes Bay Region. Essential Duties & Responsibilities: Designs, develops and implements educational and public programming and tours related to museum collections and exhibitions. Works closely with curators of temporary exhibitions to design tours and develop panels, lectures, and teacher/student guides for students and the public. Schedules phone and electronic tour requests on the calendar and maintains and coordinates group tours with other museum activities. This includes communicating information about all educational offerings at the museum and aligning programs with visitor objectives/curriculum. Handles all communications with teachers, school administrators, and others seeking group tours. Partners with the University and local organizations on creating programs and workshops for students, interns, and professionals. Prepares and distributes pre-visit educational packets, including teacher guides, lesson plans, and educational worksheets. Prints and stocks "invitation" handouts for school groups. Schedules student and other employees and volunteers to cover group tours, field trips, programs, and events. Trains student employees and other team members on how to deliver programs and give tours of the collections and exhibitions to a variety of groups. Plans and coordinates hands-on studio activities for groups, special exhibitions, and on and offsite events. Plans, creates, and assists with educational programs such as summer art camps and museum story-time sessions. Develops, compiles, and analyzes evaluations. Keeps financial records and statistics regarding the education realm. Conducts tours as necessary. Position may also teach college-level courses related to museum studies topics. Performs other duties as assigned. Supervision Received: General supervision is received from the Director of the Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum. Supervision Exercised: Functional supervision is exercised over students and other employees and gallery volunteers. Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in education, liberal arts/humanities, museum studies, history, anthropology, art history, studio art or related field. Interest in art, history, education, and students. Experience working with volunteers and students. Strong people skills; work and communicate diplomatically and courteously with staff, volunteers, guests, departments, and key stakeholders to meet common objectives and desired outcomes. Experience with the management of multiple projects and assignments concurrently. Ability to work a flexible schedule. Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and ability to learn new software quickly. Experience and ability to positively interact with a diverse campus community and region. Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without accommodations. Preferred Qualifications: Bachelor of Arts or Master's degree in Museum Education, Art Education, Studio Art, or Art History preferred. At least two (2) years of relevant experience working in museums, with children or public groups, or program development preferred. Ability to research, collect, and analyze data regarding various activities and programs. Working Conditions: Duties are generally performed inside and occasional outdoors.