Manager, Tours & Public Programs

Frye Art Museum

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The Frye Art Museum is a living legacy of visionary patronage and civic responsibility, committed to artistic inquiry and a rich visitor experience. A catalyst for our engagement with contemporary art and artists is the Founding Collection of Charles and Emma Frye, access to which shall always be free.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Frye Art Museum is seeking a flexible and detail-oriented team player to join the Education team. As a key member of the Education team, the Manager, Tours & Public Programs develops, oversees and implements a wide range of public programs that use the Frye’s collection and exhibitions as a springboard for exploring the issues of our time, facilitating conversation, and engaging our community in relevant social dialogues.

In this position, the Manager will center diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion by working with a range of communities and partners to offer creative and collaborative public programs, ensuring that the Frye is a welcoming space for all. To achieve this work, the Manager will build and maintain productive relationships with Museum colleagues, partners, and other stakeholders.

The Manager is also responsible for the recruitment, coordination, training, and management of the Gallery Guides who assist in the delivery of public tours, school tours, and private group tours. The capacity to activate and discuss works of art for a wide range of audiences is essential.

The Position: Manager, Tours & Public Programs

Department: Education

Reports to: Director of Education & Community Partnerships

Supervises: N/A

FISA Status: Exempt

Status: Full-time, 35 hours per week

Salary Range: $50,000 – $53,000

Benefits: Full benefits including medical, dental, vacation accrual, 403b, and more

Responsibilities

PUBLIC PROGRAMS MANAGEMENT (70%)

  • Work with Education team, Curatorial team, community partners, artists, and other stakeholders to research, develop, and present an annual slate of inclusive, cross-disciplinary, and engaging programs for adults, the local community, and the general public, such as lectures, tours, gallery talks, symposia, films, performances, studio classes, workshops, and more, that will interpret and complement the Frye’s collection and exhibitions in addition to shaping the Frye as a welcoming space for all.

  • Identify goals and measures of success of for public programs, including strategies for audience growth and diversity and opportunities for revenue-generating experiences.

  • Collaborate with Director of Education & Community Partnerships and Communications team to ensure effective promotion of public programs.

  • Identify, manage, and contract with guest speakers, artists, musicians, and teaching artists for public programs.

  • Staff all public programs and work closely with Development Coordinator to schedule event volunteers.

  • Manage all logistics for payment, travel, and facilities to ensure success of public programs.

  • Ensure accessibility of programs for a wide range of audiences where possible.

  • Document programs via photos or other media and track program attendance and feedback.

  • Build and maintain relationships with community partners, artists, and other stakeholders as collaborators for public program planning and audience development.

  • Maintain a current knowledge of best practices for public program management, museum education practice, and contemporary visual culture.

  • Establish and maintain contacts with the arts and museum communities and liaise with professional colleagues.

  • Manage budget for public programs.

  • Design and implement program evaluation.

  • Contribute to vision and strategy of the Education department.

  • Support other Education programs and initiatives as needed.

PUBLIC TOURS AND GALLERY GUIDES (30%)

  • In collaboration with the Education team, manage and review the structure and capacity of the Frye’s Gallery Guide program, which is focused on providing public tours, school tours, and private group tours.

  • Recruit and train new Gallery Guides each year.

  • Manage partnership with Seattle University (SU) for student Gallery Guides. Work with SU Faculty Sponsor to coordinate yearly on-site recruitment and credit requirements, as well as student observations and quarterly meetings.

  • Liaise with Development Coordinator regarding the management of Gallery Guides within the Museum’s overall volunteer program structure.

  • Plan and implement monthly trainings for all Guides. Coordinate with Museum staff and external partners when necessary.

  • Develop quarterly schedule for public tours, school tours, and private group tours for Gallery Guides. Ensure clear communication with Gallery Guides regarding schedule and keep the scheduled updated.

  • Encourage learning and provide support for Gallery Guides. Compile educational training materials and provide relevant articles, books, and other materials on new exhibitions, in collaboration with Curatorial and Collections departments and exhibiting artists.

  • Coordinate and schedule observations of Gallery Guides on a regular basis and provide feedback and support.

  • Foster a welcoming and supportive community amongst the Gallery Guides.

  • Keep in regular communication with Guides by sending a weekly email, sharing upcoming programs, trainings, and any pertinent activity at the Museum.

  • Evaluate and document the program.

  • Substitute for Gallery Guides for public tours, private tours, and school tours when needed.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

  • Master’s degree preferred or equivalent combination of education and experience.

  • Significant professional experience in designing programs and building audiences for museums or arts organizations.

  • Demonstrated ability to forge strong and effective working relationships with a wide variety of partners inside and outside the Frye.

  • Significant professional experience in interpreting works of art and developing and leading tours for a wide range of audiences.

  • Demonstrated ability to manage a volunteer/docent program, including recruitment and training.

  • Experience in developing programs and events accessible to a variety of audiences a plus.

  • Availability to work evenings and weekends at programs and events.

  • Excellent team player with ability to work cooperatively and effectively with Museum staff, as well as ability to work well independently.

  • A self-starter with the ability to operate with purpose, urgency, and accuracy both independently and as part of a team in a dynamic environment with concurrent deadlines and rapidly changing priorities.

  • Exceptional time management, project management, and excellent organizational skills.

  • Detail-oriented with ability to prioritize, manage, and multitask; ability to coordinate complex schedules and analyze and solve problems.

  • Professional demeanor and ability to interact with all levels within the organization and external vendors. Ability to exhibit discretion and handle confidential information appropriately.

  • Skilled in working independently with details, with ability to understand and clearly communicate the big picture to various groups.

  • Excellent written and oral communication skills.

  • Experience in museum or nonprofit setting a plus.

  • Working knowledge of new technologies in education and the arts.

  • Fluency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Teams) and Zoom.

  • Strong presentation skills and confidence in serving as a spokesperson for an organization.

  • Willingness to undergo a criminal background and employment reference check.

  • Committed to the Frye Art Museum’s mission, history, and future.

REMOTE WORKING CONDITIONS:

Temporary telework arrangements are in place during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some or all of the work performed will be off-site such as in the home or in a space near the home. Equipment may be owned and maintained by the employee or the Museum. Communications may be by email, mobile phone, internet video, electronic messaging, or other as technology allows. The incumbent will be expected to diligently and consistently comply with all health and safety protocols related to the pandemic.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES REQUIRED TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

  • Sitting/Standing/Walking: Approximately 90% of time is spent seated while working at a desk. Balance of time (approximately 10%) is spent standing or moving around the work area. Speaking/Hearing: Clear diction and acute hearing are necessary for effective communication with donors, members, the public, and co-workers.

  • Lifting/Carrying/Pushing/Pulling: The ability to lift and carry up to 20 pounds is necessary for moving material and equipment for programs.

  • Vision: Corrected vision close to 20/20 is necessary to effectively use the computer screens.

  • Stooping/Kneeling: The ability to stoop and kneel is necessary for accessing files.

  • Reaching/Handling: Good manual dexterity is necessary for computer keyboard use and for retrieving and working with appropriate paperwork, equipment, and supplies.

How to Apply

Candidates should send cover letter and resume with “Manager, Tours & Public Programs” in the subject line to jobs@fryemuseum.org. Open until filled. No phone calls, please.

Due to the high volume of applications received, we are only able to contact those candidates whose skills and background best fit the needs of the open positions. In the event that we wish to arrange a personal interview, we will contact you by email or phone.

The Frye Art Museum will consider reasonable accommodations for those applicants with disabilities who may need reasonable accommodation to perform the essential functions/duties. Please contact the Museum for additional information.

This Job Summary is a summary of the primary duties and responsibilities of this role at the Frye Art Museum. Employees must maintain a high degree of flexibility in our rapidly changing environment and, as such, may be required to perform additional duties beyond the scope described here from time to time.

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Posted on March 29