Manager of School and Gallery Programs

The Walker Art Center empowers people to experience the transformative possibilities of the art and ideas of our time and to imagine the world in new ways. In our over 125-year history, we have become one of the most celebrated art museums in the country and we are known for our innovative presentations and acclaimed collections of contemporary art across the spectrum of the visual, performing, and media arts.

The Walker Art Center is dedicated to providing an engaging and creative environment for a diverse range of intergenerational audiences through tours, programming, and educational resources. The Manager of School and Gallery Programs oversees the School and Gallery Programs division which provides learner-centered tours and workshops for K-12, college, and adult audiences, as well as resources and professional development opportunities to support teachers in connecting contemporary art to their classrooms. Walker School and Gallery Programs are designed to provide platforms for dialogue, reflection, and meaning-making for visitors of all ages. The person in this role will be a key partner to the Associate Director of Learning and Accessibility, and will collaborate across departments including with Visitor Experience to help develop and steward a unified approach to providing a welcoming and accessible experience for Walker visitors.

WHAT YOU GET TO DO 

Program Strategy

• In partnership with the Associate Director of Learning and Accessibility, develop cohesive learning goals, approaches to facilitation, and tools for learners of all ages. Conceptualize and launch future program directions in alignment with institutional goals and initiatives.
• Develop and implement strategies to increase participation in tours and other programs for K-12 and college teachers and students.
• Develop strategies to better align Walker K-12 programming, school tours, and resources with teacher needs, MN K-12 Academic Standards, 21st-century skill- building, and innovative teaching models.
• Advocate internally and externally for arts-integrated learning in K-12 education and develop a community of educators centered on teaching with contemporary art in the classroom, in the galleries, and online.
• Work with the Marketing Department to develop and implement a communications plan to build audiences for K-12 and college programming, and for the adult tour program. 
• Assess the efficacy of current programming and potential opportunities for wider programmatic integration through research, data collection, and evaluation. Apply learnings to program planning.
• Collaborate across departments to ensure school and gallery programs support and align with institutional efforts to integrate multi-lingual resources and experiences into the Walker program.

Program Management

• Develop and oversee on and offsite programs for K-12 and college teachers and students, including tours and art-making workshops, and continuing education programs and resources for teachers.
• Create professional development opportunities and teacher resources that will advance teacher skills and comfort level with integrating contemporary art in the classroom. Develop and nurture a core network of K-12 teachers. 
• Oversee the Walker teacher e-newsletter and the production of marketing collateral; and ensure relevant information is updated on walkerart.org.
• Support the development, implementation, and administration of grants. Perform administration responsibilities including drafting interim and final grant and sponsor reports.
• Prepare and monitor budgets, contracts, and payments.

Supervision

• Recruit, train, mentor, and manage the School and Gallery Programs Coordinator and full and part-time Educators, along with project-based independent contractors.
• Facilitate a training and continuing education program for Educators focused on techniques for working with audiences of all ages, with special attention to inquiry-based facilitation, universal design for learning, and culturally-competent teaching strategies. Ensure School and Gallery Programs staff are equipped to offer welcoming and accessible experiences to learners of all ages.
• Oversee administration of the tour and In-School Residency programs including systems for requesting, booking, and confirming tours for audiences of all ages, ensuring consistent and timely internal and external communication and processing of payments and reimbursements. 
• Provide inspirational leadership in alignment with Walker’s Mission and Values, Equity Action Plan, and Strategic Plan.

External Partnerships

• Manage and cultivate an extensive network of educational partners in the community, helping advance cooperative programs with area schools, colleges, and teachers, while furthering collaboration with peer arts organizations and agencies.
• Partner with Minneapolis Public Schools, Saint Paul Public Schools, and regional teachers to remove barriers to access for schools and teachers. Recruit and facilitate quarterly meetings for the Walker Art Center Teacher Advisory Group.
• Provide leadership in the area of K-12 education and gallery learning in the local community. Provide a national presence for the Walker Art Center’s K-12 efforts by presenting at conferences, publishing work, etc.

WHAT WE NEED IN YOU 

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in art history, studio art, education, museum studies, or related field required.
• Minimum 3-5 years of experience designing curricula and working with K-12 teachers and students in informal or formal learning environments where coordination and program delivery was a key component of the work.
• Experience supervising and mentoring staff. Excellent coaching, team-building, conflict-resolution, and performance-management skills.
• A demonstrated track record of successfully cultivating relationships and collaborating with partner organizations.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and work with a wide range of people (teachers, visitors, staff,) across a variety of cultures, generations, and abilities.
• Excellent project management skills, including the ability to organize budgets, staff, and project resources in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent facilitation, presentation, prioritization, and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple and complex projects while maintaining high standards and a high degree of accuracy. Detail-oriented approach to work.
• Experience with inquiry-based teaching, universal design for learning, and culturally-competent teaching practices.
• Familiarity and facility with MN K-12 Academic Standards and the ability to navigate through complex public school and university system structures.
• Experience developing educational resources and experiences for a variety of audiences, including adult learners.
• Proactive, resourceful, and able to anticipate needs and adapt to unexpected challenges in a fast-paced environment.
• Fluency with technology and online teaching and learning tools.
• Must be available to work onsite Wednesday through Friday. Must be available to work a flexible schedule with hours and days determined and required by programming.

Preferred Skills

• Experience working or teaching in a museum or other cultural organization.
• Experience working with people with disabilities in personal or professional settings.
• Experience in a range of project evaluation techniques and the capacity to analyze learnings and translate them into project development.
• Knowledge of contemporary art.
• Familiarity with art materials and art-making techniques.
• Fluency in a language in addition to English, with a preference for ASL, Spanish, Hmong, or Somali.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

• Ability to work at a desk and use a computer for prolonged periods.
• Ability to frequently walk and move throughout galleries, public spaces, the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, and administrative offices.
• Ability to stand or move for portions of the workday while supporting museum operations.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 15 pounds.
• Ability to work in active public environments with changing attendance levels and operational demands.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS This position is considered full-time, exempt. As an exempt position, it is not eligible for overtime pay. The compensation for this role is $65,000-$70,000 annually.

BENEFITS: Medical, dental, and vision insurance; 403(b) retirement plan with employer contribution; paid vacation, sick time, and holidays.

This position is not eligible for relocation assistance. 

All applicants must be eligible to work in the United States without the need for employer sponsorship.

Walker’s DEI commitment The Walker is committed to being an employer with a staff who, at all job levels, reflects the rich diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We are dedicated to ensuring inclusion and equity in all our employment practices. We deeply value and welcome all the unique lived experiences in our applicants and encourage anyone meeting the minimum requirements to apply.

Recruitment Timeline All positions are open until filled. 

E-Verify Participation Notice Walker Art Center participates in E-Verify to confirm the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

For more information, please review the following notices:

• E-Verify Participation Poster (English/Spanish)
• Right to Work Poster (English/Spanish)