SAM connects art to life.
Seattle Art Museum (SAM) seeks applications for the position of the Kayla Skinner Deputy Director of Education and Public Programs.
The Seattle Art Museum enriches lives and engages diverse communities through art. As the leading visual art institution in the Pacific Northwest, SAM’s comprehensive collections, powerful exhibitions, and dynamic programs provide unique educational resources benefiting the Seattle region, the Pacific Northwest, and beyond.
The Deputy Director of Education and Public Programs is a highly visible position nationally, regionally and locally, and is a key member of the SAM senior leadership team. The position is the top position for education and public programs, and leads departments including Teen, Family and Community Programs, Public Programs, School and Teacher Programs, Film Programs, and Interpretative Technology. It also serves as staff lead for the Education & Community Engagement Committee of SAM’s Board of Trustees.
SAM is a vibrant museum with three sites in Seattle. In 2007 the Museum expanded its flagship downtown building and introduced a new approach to installing the collection in which intersections between cultures and between past and present are emphasized. The Asian collections are primarily showcased in the museum’s 1933 art deco building in Volunteer Park, now called SAM’s Asian Art Museum. Finally, the Olympic Sculpture Park on Elliott Bay was completed in 2007 and is open to the public free of charge year round.
Having just completed an ambitious strategic planning process led by Director and CEO Kimerly Rorschach and the Board of Trustees, SAM is poised to embrace and reflect its location in the center of Seattle, known nationally and internationally as a region of innovation and technology. Microsoft, Amazon, Starbucks, Boeing, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation are in SAM’s backyard and provide financial and strategic support which allow SAM to broaden its reach in our diverse community. Additionally, new resources were recently acquired to broadly integrate technology into our galleries and programs in dynamic ways. This position and division will work cross-functionally with our technology teams to provide content across various platforms for all SAM audiences.
Key to the strategic plan is SAM’s directive to engage all audiences more deeply, with a special focus on the young adult audience for which the Deputy Director is leading activities with financial support from both the Wallace Foundation and the IMLS. Great work has been done with this targeted audience and there is tremendous opportunity to build on the momentum.
The position reports to the Director and CEO, oversees a division of 12+ regular employees and 120 volunteer docents, and a budget of $1.2M.
We are seeking experienced, creative and knowledgeable candidates with persuasive leadership skills and:
• Master’s degree in Art History or Education, and seven to ten years relevant experience in museum education and management
• Passion for the dual mission of achieving artistic and educational excellence and broad audience participation
• Demonstrated understanding and experience in the application of technology to engage, communicate, educate and attract visitors
• Demonstrated expertise and knowledge of learning theories and audience research methods are desirable
• Demonstrated leadership in the successful development and maintenance of a wide variety of community partnerships
• Organizational ability with strong management and supervisory skills
• Excellent written, oral and interpersonal communication skills and a demonstrated ability to present clearly and persuasively; ability to facilitate small & large group discussions
• An affinity for SAM’s core values
Interested applicants should view the full job posting: http://www.seattleartmuseum.org/about-sam/careers
Deadline for applications: July 11, 2014
Seattle Art Museum is committed to diversity and inclusion. Qualified individuals who bring diverse perspectives to the workplace are especially encouraged to apply.
We will consider reasonable accommodations for those applicants with disabilities who may need a reasonable accommodation to perform the essential functions. Please contact the Human Resources Department for additional information.
Seattle Art Museum’s Core Values
Creativity Diversity
Excellence Accessibility
Engagement Stewardship