Curator of Education & Academic Engagement

Job Title:

Full or Part Time:

Hours:

Exempt:

Supervisory Org:

Job Description:

JOB SUMMARY: 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 initiatives—including K–12 tours and field trips, interdisciplinary curricula, public programs, and interpretive materials—centered on the Museum’s permanent collection, archival holdings, and dynamic schedule of temporary exhibitions. In addition to leading K–12 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.
• Schedule phone and electronic tour requests on the calendar and maintain and coordinate group tours with other museum activities. This includes communicating information about all educational offerings at the museum and aligning programs with visitor objectives/curriculum.
• Handle 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.
• Prepare and distribute pre-visit educational packets, including teacher guides, lesson plans, and educational worksheets.
• Print and stock “invitation” handouts for school groups.
• Schedule 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.
• Plan and coordinate hands-on studio activities for groups, special exhibitions, and on and offsite events.
• Plan, create, and assist with educational programs such as summer art camps and museum story-time sessions.
• Develop, compile, and analyze evaluations.
• Keep financial records and statistics regarding the education realm.
• Conduct tours as necessary.
• Position may also teach college-level courses related to museum studies topics.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

General supervision is received from the Director of the Marshal 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.

PREFERED 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 above reflects the general details considered necessary to describe the essential functions of the job. It shall not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements that may be inherent in the job.  It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision.  The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties shall not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of similar kind or level of difficulty.

About SVSU:

Saginaw Valley State University is a comprehensive university with more than 100 programs of study for its roughly 7,000 students. Located on a suburban campus in Michigan’s Great Lakes Bay Region, SVSU is committed to a supportive and empowering environment for students, faculty and staff. For eight consecutive years, SVSU has been recognized as a “Great College to Work For” (2016-2023).

SVSU emphasizes undergraduate teaching and learning, and community-based research. SVSU earned the Community Engagement classification from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, a distinction achieved by only 7 percent of U.S. colleges and universities. By their senior year, 84 percent of students have engaged with community employers and agencies in internships, field placements or some other component of their academic preparation.

SVSU is establishing itself as a leader in STEAM education for the Great Lakes Bay Region, partnering with businesses, foundations and school districts to improve students’ performance in math, science and the arts at the middle school, high school and university levels.
 
More than 70 percent of SVSU freshmen live on campus in student housing that has been rated No. 1 among public universities in the U.S. (2018-2023). SVSU fields 19 varsity sports at the NCAA Division II level. The average class size is 23 students. For more information, please visit our website, http://www.svsu.edu.