Director of Learning Initiatives

Company: Crystal Bridges
Location: Bentonville
Posted on: May 25, 2023

Job Description:

Director of Learning Initiatives page is loaded Director of Learning Initiatives Apply locations Bentonville, AR time type Full time posted on Posted 24 Days Ago job requisition id JR110 The mission of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is to welcome all to celebrate the American spirit in a setting that unites the power of art with the beauty of nature. Founded by philanthropist and arts patron -Alice Walton, Crystal Bridges is a public non-profit charitable organization. Job Description: Position Title: Director of Learning Initiatives Position Type: -Full-TimeFLSA Classification: EXEMPTDivision: Learning and EngagementDepartment: SchoolReports to: Chief of Learning and Engagement Officer Position SummaryThe Director of Learning Initiatives is responsible for the overall strategic development, long-term planning, program growth and implementation, and evaluation of the museum's K-12 school and teacher programs, which prioritize access, innovation, diversity, inclusion, and a commitment to making educational impact. Working with the Chief Learning and Engagement Officer, this person brings vision, leadership acumen, and a deep understanding of how to scale arts and education programs to have local relevance and national impact. The role will position Crystal Bridges as a leader in arts integration practice and impact.Principal Responsibilities (Essential Functions)The Director will be responsible for the growth and innovation of major education initiatives including:The Windgate Education Excellence Through the Arts endowment was established to enable Crystal Bridges to propose creative solutions using art, art museums, and artists to address educational challenges facing the nation's schools. The Director will guide the project through its various phases: exploratory, pilot, implementation, and scale.The Walker School Visit Program is committed to providing access to the museum for local and regional students and to removing barriers that hinder schools from integrating the arts into their school curriculum. The museum aims to bring 50,000 students to the museum in 2023 and provides free bus transportation, school lunch, and substitute teacher reimbursement. With the museum's physical expansion anticipated to be completed in 2026, this program is expected to double its audience size.Digital Learning: The Director will be responsible for the leadership and execution of a strategic plan for the comprehensive integration of technology throughout the museum's K-12 portfolio.Responsibilities related to the Windgate Initiative

• Build on the initial program design to ensure the initiative meets its ambitious goals, which include:
  • Vision for and development of the resource and learning website
  • Process for selecting initial and future cohorts of communities
  • How evaluation and learning will be built into the program design in ways that provide quantifiable impact
  • How advocacy at multiple levels will be built into the program from the outset
  • Operationalize the proposed program for this initiative, including:
  • Determining the project budget for the short- and long-term
  • Determining the capacity needed from the museum, including staff and physical space
  • Selecting, leading and supporting teams to fulfill the vision
  • Develop and execute an advocacy strategic plan to include:
    • Articulation of the unique and impactful role the museum can play in an advocacy roleA theory of change about how the community partnership cohorts can lead to the unlocking of more resources and at what level (local, state, and/or federal) to support this kind of arts integration and project-based learning in schools.
    • Ensure cohesive coordination/collaboration and effective communication with stakeholders
    • Leverage the Director's and the museum's extensive networks among cultural and education stakeholders, particularly in the Heartland, to engage communities where access to arts integration is currently limited.Responsibilities related to the Walker School Visit Program and the Museum's overall portfolio of School and Teacher Programs: -
      • Implement the strategic plan for K-12 student and teacher programs, with a focus on innovation, impact, scale, relevance, and accessibility.
      • Oversee and support the development, management, and delivery of all offerings for school audiences, including school tours, resource materials, educator professional development, and school partnerships.
      • Lead the development and implementation of digital strategies and programs that integrate technology to support innovative learning environments.
      • Maintain the creative and strategic growth and sustainability of endowed education programs which represent significant commitment and areas of importance for the museum's mission.
      • Cultivate and manage endowments, grants, and financial sponsorships as directed, including the distribution of all endowment funds and sponsorships that support the department's programs.
      • Work closely with the Chief Learning and Engagement Officer to develop, implement, and scale online learning.
      • In collaboration with museum's Research and Evaluation team, develop and deliver front end, formative, and summative evaluations of programs on a continual basis.
      • Manage the complex daily operations of the school programs department.
      • Manage all resources including budgets and allocations, supplies, and spaces.Minimum QualificationsEducation, Training, Traits:
        • Bachelor's degree in areas such as the Arts, Education, or Humanities. Master's degree preferred.
          • Demonstrated management and administrative abilitiesWork Experience:
            • 5 or more years of progressively responsible and relevant experience working in museums, schools, cultural organizations, or other relevant settings.
            • Experience with curriculum development, program development, evaluation, and audience research.Licenses and Certifications:
              • Valid driver's license required.Skills and Abilities:The ideal candidate will have the following professional and personal qualities, skills, and characteristics:An Innovative Practitioner and Advocate for Arts EducationAs systems change thinker, this individual will be adept at connecting the work of educators, teaching artists, and community collaborations to systems change work on a larger scale. The ideal candidate will have experience as an educator or artist working with K-12 students as well as a deep understanding of successful advocacy approaches at the state or local levels. With a demonstrated record of introducing and building new programs or initiatives, this leader will be committed to spurring systemic change by working both with diverse constituents at a community level and with decision makers within government.A Builder & EntrepreneurThis leader will be an independently driven and entrepreneurial thinker with a successful track record of translating mission and vision into strategy, systems, and impact. They will have a bias for action, ability to manage competing priorities and timelines, and an understanding of the museum's multi-faceted constituents. Within a complex environment, this leader will have their finger on the pulse of the arts integration field and will possess a solid understanding of what it means to scale significant initiatives and bring ideas to life. This leader will be comfortable building consensus and working in ambiguity, with experience creating qualitative and quantitative measurements to demonstrate progress.Leading Through InfluenceThis leader will be a persuasive and authentic communicator, skilled at creating a powerful sense of shared purpose and engagement as they guide the future of the arts integration field in K-12 education. A skilled facilitator and convener, they will demonstrate a high level of emotional intelligence with a track record of quickly establishing credibility and trust with new and existing constituents. They will have the character and confidence to work comfortably and interact effectively with a broad range of partners, including teachers, school leaders, teaching artists, arts educators, cultural institution leaders-both conventional and non-conventional-as well as policymakers at the local, state, and federal levels. This leader will ensure that all constituents are informed, engaged, and included.Savvy and People-Oriented Team LeadershipCrystal Bridges is a dynamic work environment with a growth-oriented outlook. Employee engagement is key to a high-performance team. This leader is responsible for creating an inspiring team environment, setting clear team goals, and providing direction, guidance, and support. This role is anticipated to lead a department with 15 team members with four direct reports, and to be able to manage multiple consultant contracts at one time. Along with the Director of Public Programs, Director of Community Engagement, Director of Education Administration and Operations, and the Director of the Library, this individual will serve as a member of the Learning and Engagement Division's leadership team.A Passion for the MissionAbove all, this leader will embody and be energized by the museum's education initiatives, creating unique opportunities to promote its vision and purpose. A keen advocate for promoting access to the arts within school settings, this leader will be fueled by a commitment to deepening the relevance and value that the arts bring to all people. Well-versed in diversity, equity, access, and inclusion strategies in the field, they will have a strong track record of engaging a wide range of constituents in achieving results. This leader will demonstrate unquestionable integrity, ethics, and values; they will be authentic and can be trusted without reservation. This leader will be aligned with the Crystal Bridges mission and culture, working with the Chief Learning and Engagement Officer and relevant team members to create a dynamic process and bold, impactful action.Physical Demands and Work Environment:The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
                • Physical demands: Regularly, while performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to travel independently regionally and in communities served. In the work environment described below, position requires working at a desk and utilizing a computer and a telephone, good eye/hand coordination, bending and stretching, standing and sitting in the ability to move around galleries, the classrooms, and throughout the museum, including travel on the outdoor trails. Visual acuity to review written materials is required for this job.
                • Work environment: Work will be performed in an office environment, museum galleries, art studios, outdoors on the trails, and in communities served. Some evening and weekend hours are required. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. The noise level in the Museum work environment is usually low to moderate.
                • Some work during evenings and weekends is required.
                • Occasional regional and national travel is required. All offers of employment are contingent on your successful completion (where permitted by state law) of a confidentiality agreement and background check. Crystal Bridges requires all employees to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment, or meet Arkansas state requirements, subject to accommodations. In addition, you will need to provide proper identification verifying your eligibility to work in the United States on your first day of work. Crystal Bridges is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building and maintaining a culturally diverse workplace. We encourage women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status of protected veteran, among other things or status as a qualified individual with a disability. Similar Jobs (1) Learning & Engagement Manager locations Bentonville, AR time type Full time posted on Posted 20 Days Ago About Us The mission of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is to welcome all to celebrate the American spirit in a setting that unites the power of art with the beauty of nature. Founded by philanthropist and arts patron Alice Walton, Crystal Bridges is a public non-profit charitable organization.

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