The Whitney Museum seeks Freelance Museum Educators to work with K-12 School, Access and Community Groups for the 2020-2021 school year.
Whitney Programs connect the Whitney’s collection and exhibitions to K-12 classrooms. They ask K-12 students to consider the role of the artist in multiple ways—as observer of the world around us, as storyteller presenting a unique point of view, as experimenter of materials and processes, and as critic of American history, politics, and contemporary culture. Customized tours and workshops invite students of all abilities to learn about the Whitney’s art and artists in an inclusive and welcoming environment.
Responsibilities include:
- Creating and leading Guided Visits and Online Lessons for K-12 School groups. During these 1-hour and 10-minute thematic gallery tours and forty-minute long Online Lessons, Whitney educators introduce students to works of art through discussions and activities that incorporate the artists’ voice and process. Freelance educators are responsible for doing research on artists and creating engaging, developmentally appropriate, inquiry-based lesson plans that are tailored to what the students are working on in the classroom.
- Creating and leading Guided Visit + Studio Programs for K-12 School groups. Freelance educators lead 1-hour and 10-minute thematic gallery tour followed by a 1-hour art making session in our Studio. They are responsible for developing these lesson plans and integrating the gallery and studio components into a cohesive lesson.
- Creating and leading Guided Visits and Studio Programs for students with a range of physical, developmental, and sensory disabilities.
- Creating and leading Guided Visits and Studio Programs for community groups serving diverse audiences such as low-income seniors, residents of the nearby NYCHA houses, immigrants, and LGBTQ+ youth.
- Communicating effectively with teachers or community partners to tailor museum lessons to classroom curriculum.
- Working and communicating effectively with School, Access and Community Programs, and Group Services staff, and working thoughtfully with other educators.
- Being reflective and thoughtful about the Whitney’s approach to gallery-based teaching.
- Attending training sessions and curator-led walkthroughs of exhibitions.
- Submitting invoices in a timely fashion
Requirements:
B.A./MA/M.F.A./ in art history, contemporary art, American studies, and/or museum education; 3+ years teaching experience, including work with K-12 students and teachers; strong organizational and communication skills. Successful candidates will have sound knowledge of educational and developmental theory; a passion for modern and contemporary art; and will be flexible and able to work well in a group. They should have an interest in working with diverse groups of students and be available to teach at least 3 mornings a week.
Compensation:
- $110.00 per guided visit or online lesson.
- $300.00 per guided visit plus studio program.
The Whitney seeks talented people of all backgrounds—we value diversity of cultures, races and ethnicities, gender expressions, and abilities. Candidates who are POC, LGBTQ+, bilingual or multilingual, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Please email resume, cover letter, and three references to:
- Schoolprograms@whitney.org by October 16, 2020.
- Include “Freelance Museum Educator” in the email subject line.
