Part-Time Museum Educator II - Seasonal

The John Michael Kohler Arts Center (JMKAC) is a nationally acclaimed visual and performing arts center located in the heart of downtown Sheboygan, Wisconsin. It is within walking distance of Lake Michigan and one hour from Milwaukee and Green Bay. While other museums focus on objects, JMKAC and its recently opened Art Preserve focus on relationships with artists and the community, and on preserving and exhibiting artist-built environments. Founded in 1967, the John Michael Kohler Arts Center’s presents work by diverse artists, from the vernacular to classically trained and from local to global perspectives. JMKAC establishes a community locally and nationally with its rotating, original contemporary art exhibitions, live performances and events, classes, workshops and an on-site preschool.

Do you have an interest in working with all ages and helping people learn and discover through the arts?  Does assisting preschool teachers in the classroom one or two days a week by reading to students and engaging in play and artmaking with students excite you?  If so, we have the position for you! The Museum Educator engages general visitors, K - 12 students, and JMKAC preschool students by assisting in the implementation of arts-based programming connected to JMKAC’s collections, exhibitions, advocacy, mission, and strategic goals.  This is a seasonal position from mid-August until mid-June ranging from 8 to 13 hours per week.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
An individual in this position must be able to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed below. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. Duties will vary seasonally.

1. Implement education department standards to facilitate participatory tours at the Arts Center and Art Preserve for K – 12 field trip students and preschoolers enrolled in the John Michael Kohler Arts Center. 
2. Assist JMKAC preschool teachers in the classroom for 3.5 – 4-hour shifts one or two days per week during the school year (September – June). Tasks may include, but are not limited to reading to students, engaging in play and artmaking with students, tracking and managing students throughout the day, and collaborating with lead teachers and program director to coordinate annual student performance and Preschool Perspectives exhibition. 
3. Work 2 – 6-hour shifts in the Social STUDIO. Tasks may include but are not limited to greeting guests and sharing information about current exhibitions and the Arts Center/Art Preserve, facilitating hands-on activities connected to current exhibitions, and assisting visiting artists in residence. 
4. Prepare workshop materials, assist in workshops/camps/classes, and help clean-up and organize materials for: school tours/workshops, preschool classes, Social STUDIO, and other public programming and special events, as assigned. 
5. Complete mandated safety training and continuing education within required time frames; maintain knowledge of current Arts Center exhibitions and Art Preserve collections. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Interest in working with all ages and helping people learn and discover through the arts.
• Interest in learning about artist-built environments, folk art, and contemporary art
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Excellent communication and time management.
• Flexible and adaptable to change.

Qualifications:

• High School Diploma required. Some college preferred.
• 1-2 years of experience in customer service, education or museum required. 
• Background in visual or performing arts, helpful.

Physical Demands:  
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  

While performing the duties of this job, the employee will occasionally sit; use hands to finger, handle, or touch objects; talk or hear; and smell. The employee will also frequently move through gallery spaces to complete this job. The employee should be able to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities when performing this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. 

Able to read and interpret documents, write routine correspondence, speak effectively with others.  Able to add, subtract, multiply and divide using whole numbers. Able to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions. Able to deal with problems involving few concrete variables in standard situations. 

Work Environments:  
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  

The position is office/art gallery/preschool classroom based and noise level usually moderate.  Daily work inside or outside with activities such as music and outdoor play may result in a moderate to loud noise level.

Hours of work include daytime hours Monday – Friday and occasionally Saturday and Sunday to meet staffing and/or event needs.  

The John Michael Kohler Arts Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applications from all qualified applicants. It is the policy and practice of the John Michael Kohler Arts Center to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, disability, gender identity, results of genetic testing, or service in the military, or other prohibited local, state, or federal status. Equal employment opportunity applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leave of absence, compensation, and training.

 

The John Michael Kohler Arts Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer.