Educator

Educator
Learning and Public Engagement
Salary $45,000 annually

INTRODUCTION
The Art Institute of Chicago shares its singular collections with our city and the world. We collect, care for, and interpret works of art across time, cultures, geographies, and identities, centering the vision of artists and makers. We recognize that all art is made in a particular context, demanding continual, dynamic reconsideration in the present. We are a place of gathering; we foster the exchange of ideas and inspire an expansive, inclusive understanding of human creativity.

POSITION SUMMARY
The Learning and Public Engagement department develops culturally responsive content, designs anti-racist pedagogy, collaborates with artists and community members, and facilitates experiences involving the museum’s collections and exhibitions in order to:
● champion the role of art and culture in people’s lives,
● promote access and equitable participation in art and the museum,
● foster critical and creative thinking,
● and strengthen the fabric of communities and the life of our city.
As a result, museum visitors and participants of varied ages, backgrounds, and abilities engage with each other and with works of art from across time, cultures, geographies, and identities, making the museum a place for learning, insight, inspiration, and community. They leave museum experiences feeling more connected and with greater confidence in their capacity to imagine, create, and make sense of art and their world. The Learning and Public Engagement department is organized into three areas: Innovation & Creativity, Students & Educators, and Youth & Families. Committed to advancing systemic change, LPE is building a vision and framework for anti-racist work across the department.

As part of the area of Students and Educators, the Educator provides instruction, curriculum development, and administrative support for in-museum, K-12 student learning experiences; contributes to planning and implementing training for a teaching corps that facilitates student experiences; and supports teacher inquiries and outreach related to student tours. These activities reflect an anti-racist pedagogical vision and impact framework for the museum’s K-12 offerings that prioritizes access for all teachers and students to high-quality arts experiences across learning contexts, through an accessible, inclusive, multi-sensory, and multimodal approach.

The Educator collaborates with colleagues in the Students and Educators division, the Learning and Public Engagement department, and throughout the museum to carry out their responsibilities. A member of Chicago’s education and arts ecosystems, the Educator facilitates culturally responsive museum and community-based engagement, collaborating with teachers, schools, and communities to deepen audience connections and position the museum as a valuable space for connection, learning, and meaning-making. The duties of the Educator are informed by the museum’s priority to become a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive institution.

This position holds a standard 9:00–5:00 Monday–Friday work week with occasional weekend and evening hours required.

WHAT YOU WILL DO:
● Support the development and implementation of a culturally responsive, comprehensive programs for in-museum, K-12 student tours
● Contribute accessible, inclusive, anti-racist, multi-sensory, and multimodal content for tour curricula and related resource development through research, writing, and piloting, and evaluation
● Through active and culturally responsive museum- and community-based engagement, support ongoing training and community-building programs that address the pedagogy and logistical procedures for in-museum student experiences as well as inclusive, accessible, and anti-racist professional development for the teaching corps and broader
● Develop and maintain Touch Material Library in support of accessible, inclusive, anti-racist, multi-sensory, and multimodal frameworks for engagement
● Support the creation and implementation of multi-sensory, culturally-responsive, anti-racist, inclusive, accessible, and meaningful visitor experience
● Support the Student & Educator division’s partnerships with schools through outreach, active community-based engagement, communication, and evaluation
● Coordinate all aspects of scheduling student group visits to the museum
● Collaborate with colleagues across departments to coordinate student group entrance and visitation to the museum

Requirements

WHAT YOU WILL BRING:
● Insight, equity-focus, and commitment to cultivating culturally responsive, human-centered learning experiences that benefit the diverse abilities and backgrounds of participants and audiences.
● Minimum 2 years of experience working with K-12 audiences (students and/or teachers), adult professional development, and/or in museums or informal education settings.
● Minimum 2 years of experience working directly with people who identify as ALAANA*, LGBTQIA+, first-generation immigrants, and people with diverse abilities, with the ability to work closely with people from various artistic, cultural, academic, and professional backgrounds.
● Demonstrates a commitment to continue to grow their critical analysis of anti-racist frameworks and practices.
● Emerging knowledge of anti-racist, culturally responsive, inclusive, accessible, and multimodal curriculum design benchmarked on state and national learning standards; an in-depth understanding of current education trends, assessment, documentation, evaluation, and methods for differentiated learning and instruction; strong interest in trauma/healing-informed pedagogy and practices.
● Previous experience teaching with works of art and general knowledge of art history and various making techniques.
● Previous experience facilitating anti-racist, culturally responsive, inclusive, and accessible programs for access audiences.
● Strong verbal communication and writing skills with the ability to adjust communication styles to accommodate audiences of diverse backgrounds and abilities.

● Demonstrates a commitment to fostering and sustaining an anti-oppressive work environment centered on a culture of collaboration, cooperation, and accountability; maintains the ability to navigate tense or challenging interpersonal dynamics in a manner that is centered on trust, respect, and shared vision.

● Utilizes an asset-based framework that supports developing the shared leadership and vision of the department.
● Strong organization and planning skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, respond to shifting priorities and support multiple aspects of program development and operational sustainability.

● Proficiency in MS Office Suite, Google Suite, and experience with remote work systems required; Experience with data fidelity, database management, and museum object records preferred.
● Familiarity with Chicago’s K-12 education and arts ecosystems.
● Commitment to innovation and life-long learning.
● Bachelor’s degree preferred.
The Learning and Public Engagement department is committed to building a culturally diverse and pluralistic team. ALAANA* and LGBTQQIA individuals, first-generation immigrants, people from poor and working-class backgrounds, and individuals with diverse abilities are encouraged to apply.

• ALAANA - African, Latinx, Asian, Arab, Native American ** LGBTQQIA+ - Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, Asexual

BENEFITS
We offer a competitive, comprehensive benefits package:
● 5+ weeks of paid time off
● Paid holidays (up to 14 days)
● Medical, dental, and vision insurance
● Generous parental, caregiver, and medical leave benefits
● Competitive retirement plan (up to 9% matching contribution)
● Tuition remission and Tuition Exchange Program
● Great employee discounts
● Complimentary general admission to participating cultural institutions

HOW TO APPLY
For full consideration, please submit the following materials, uploaded as one document
HERE or visit https://www.artic.edu/careers/employment-2 and select Job ID 11233
● A one-page cover letter detailing relevant experience, interests in this role, specific skill sets that will support this role, and how you envision yourself contributing to this role;
● A resume;
● One of the following: a curriculum, lesson plan, or instruction guide you have designed that reflects your practice and articulates clear objectives, processes, learning outcomes, and reference materials, the audience for which may be K-12 students or educators.

This position will remain open until filled.

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION
The Art Institute of Chicago is an equal opportunity, equal access employer fully committed to achieving a diverse and inclusive workplace. We believe in a staff culture that benefits from a wide range of experience, backgrounds, and career paths, and we encourage nontraditional candidates to apply.