Jobs | Chief Curator, Museum Educator, Shop: Museum of Arts and Design, New York

Looking for a gig? The following job postings come to us from the Museum of Arts and Design, New York.

Founded in 1956 by Aileen Osborn Webb as the Museum of Contemporary Crafts and later becoming the American Craft Museum, the museum was renamed the Museum of Arts and Design (“MAD”) in 2002 and celebrates materials and processes embraced by practitioners in the fields of craft, art and design, as well as architecture, fashion, interior design, technology, performing arts, and art and design-driven industries.   MAD focuses on the ways artists and designers transform the world around us, through processes ranging from the artisanal to the digital. MAD’s exhibition program is dedicated to creativity and craftsmanship, and demonstrates the limitless potential of materials and techniques when used by gifted and innovative artists.

Since moving in 2008 to the Jerome and Simona Chazen Building, its 54,000-square-foot home located on Columbus Circle in 2008, MAD has increased the range of its programming dramatically and dedicated galleries to its growing collection. The Chazen Building also allows MAD to distinguish itself as the only New York museum with an open studio program that enables visitors to observe and interact with artists engaged at work within programming spaces. Through this program, visitors experience the creative process, learning first-hand about the exploration of materials and process central to our mission. MAD’s four exhibition floors host rotating special exhibitions and also include the Tiffany & Co. Foundation Jewelry Gallery, a groundbreaking center for the presentation and study of studio jewelry. MAD is the only American museum with a gallery dedicated to contemporary and modern studio and art jewelry.

As a member of the senior management team, the Chief Curator leads Museum strategy in the areas of exhibitions and collections.   MAD creates between six and eight exhibitions per year, ranging in size and scope, many of which subsequently tour to other venues. The Chief Curator will have lead curatorial responsibility for at least one exhibition per year, and will also lead a team of staff and guest curators and curatorial assistants in the delivery of the exhibition program as a whole.  This position will also be the key liaison with the Exhibitions and the Collections Committees of the Board of Trustees.

The ideal candidate will have expertise in art and design from 1945 to the present, with an emphasis on contemporary practice; a demonstrated interest in the making of art and design objects; experience in setting strategic goals for the development and management of a museum collection, as well as significant experience working with exhibition funders, as well as related media.

MAD’s collection includes approximately 4,000 art and design objects, dating from 1945 to the present and without geographical limitation.   The Museum’s holdings of jewelry make up about 1/3 of the total collection; the Museum also has a dedicated jewelry gallery. An understanding of and interest in this medium is desirable. Beyond this, the candidate should have broad familiarity with post-1945 craft, design, and sculpture of the types represented in the MAD collection.

The candidate should have a record of excellence in creating exhibitions accessible to a broad public, while also presenting progressive new ideas; and the ability to create compelling spatial narratives through a combination of objects and supporting material (film, photography, events, text, etc.).

The Chief Curator will work collaboratively with other Museum staff to achieve excellence in visitor experience; exhibition design; education; development and fundraising; and promotion and brand identity.   Candidates must have excellent planning, communication and management skills, including facility with multi-year programs and budgets.

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in art history or related field, Ph.D. or equivalent preferred
• Applied knowledge of professional museum principles, practices and procedures
• Outstanding national and international exhibition and publication history
• Management and supervisory skills; commitment to mentoring and developing staff
• Proven ability to develop and implement a sustainable multi-year exhibition program
• Excellent research, written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships with other institutions, donors and collector
• Broad knowledge of art, craft and design

• Self-directed and motivated
• Minimum of 6 years management-level museum experience required
• Minimum of 7 years applied curatorial experience
• Demonstrated experience managing substantial department, project and program budgets

Interested candidates should submit their resume and cover letter to HR@madmuseum.org no later than September 30, 2014.  Please include “Chief Curator” in the subject line.  No calls please.

Museum Educator – MADlab: an environment of inquiry

Our programs for K-12 students and teachers are designed to help achieve the requirements outlined in the Blueprint for Teaching and Learning in Visual Arts, and are grounded in New York State Learning Standards in Common Core.

Each of these workshops aims to enhance students’ understanding of the history, language, materials, processes, and importance of the arts, craft, and design.  We explore the creative process and transformation of ideas into finished works of art through interactive discussions and three-dimensional “learning-with-your-hands” projects in all media – clay, wood, metal, fiber, glass, and new materials used by artists today.  MADlab provides valuable experiences in critical thinking, problem solving, teamwork and the tools to explore fresh approaches to teaching and integrating the arts and visual literacy into the curriculum while meeting the following arts learning benchmarks:

• Arts Making
• Literacy in the Visual Arts
• Making Connections
• Community and Cultural Resources
• College and Career Readiness and Life-Long Learning

The freelance MAD Artist Educator is responsible for developing and facilitating exhibition related educational tours and workshops for school, youth and family programs, research exhibition and non-exhibition related materials, write lessons for Teachers Resource Packets, and participate in required training and periodic meetings.

Educator must be available to led programs one day a week –Mondays or Thursdays.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• A major defining characteristic of the MADlab program, the MAD Artist Educator must contact school teacher before museum/classroom visit to discuss curriculum, and other necessary information which connects museum visit to school curriculum

• Lead exhibition and non-exhibition related tours/programs throughout the museum including hands-on three dimensional workshops

• Arrive 30 minutes before MADlab tour and workshop, to prepare classroom for activities and arrival of students

• Introduce 6th floor Open Studios as part of the introduction to the museum and mission

• Incorporate details of the architecture into tours when appropriate, know the history of the museum, have strong knowledge of the type of programming offered by the museum and able to communicate these to visitors; knowledgeable on up- to-date information on the museum’s offerings.

• Submit complete, thoughtful, researched and well written lessons that are ready to upload to the website

• Use the Chicago Manual when writing the Teacher’s Resource Packets (TRP)

• Understanding of the website, database, upcoming exhibitions, and ability to direct visitor to required information

• Attend required training, walk-throughs, and periodic meetings

• Communicate Museum Etiquette and Security Protocol to visitors

• Write post tour reflections for each tour immediately after tour/workshop

• Make certain that teacher’s fill out evaluation forms after each session

QUALIFICATIONS
BA required, MFA preferred. Candidates must have strong knowledge of 20th-century and 21-century knowledge of art history and contemporary art; a background in studio art preferred, practicing artists are encouraged to apply.  Candidates must have a genuine appreciation for all visitors, including adults and children from diverse backgrounds, and must be able to convey information in a clear, concise, and articulate manner.  Also, familiarity with NY State Blueprint for Teaching and Learning in the Arts and Common Core Standards is a plus. One-year commitment is required.

APPLY
To apply, email a resume and cover letter, along with two lesson plans to Nakeisha Gumbs, Manager of School and Teacher Programs, nakeisha.gumbs@madmuseum.org.  Include “MADlab-educator” in subject line and cover letter in body of message.  No calls please. Deadline September 29th, 2014

The Store at MAD – Part Time Position

The Store at the Museum of Arts and Design (MAD) on Columbus Circle, features outstanding works by artists and makers worldwide, and is seeking an energetic, responsible, experienced individual to join its dedicated and enthusiastic sales team.

This part-time position includes greeting and assisting customers in a friendly and professional manner; performing transactions on the point-of-sale system to ensure accurate cash handling and inventory control; assisting with re-stocking and maintaining a clean sales floor; and assisting the floor manager with all sales related initiatives.

Applicants must feel comfortable selling a wide range of price-points and merchandise, including glass, ceramics, jewelry, and home and fashion accessories.

They must be able to:

• Work in an active retail location.
• Prioritize tasks with an attention to detail while ensuring a customer-first focus.
• Be able to service multiple customers at one time with courtesy and sincerity.
• Provide excellent customer service and ensure a positive experience for store visitors.
• Preserve a positive work-atmosphere by communicating with coworkers cordially and effectively.

Qualifications:

Prior retail experience is preferred, as well as prior experience working with retail computer applications. Excellent verbal and written communications and superb customer service skills required.
Must be able to work some weekend days and evening hours, and holidays as needed.
This is a unique opportunity for the right individual to become part of the continued growth and success of The Store and the larger Museum of Arts and Design (MAD) community.

Please email resume to jules.jones@madmuseum.org.

ABOUT THE STORE AT THE MUSEUM OF ARTS AND DESIGN
The Store at MAD is known for its inspired presentation of jewelry, design objects, home and fashion accessories, and upscale gifts – and most importantly its superior customer service. The Store is dedicated to presenting products that embody the celebration of soulful workmanship and natural materials, creating a bridge between the artist/maker and the customer.

Internships

For information about available internships, click here.

Artist Studios

The Museum of Arts and Design is seeking several experienced makers for demonstrations in the Artist Studios program. The studios are open for the public to interact informally with the working artist during regular museum hours.  Successful candidates will have extensive background working predominately in three-dimensional materials and processes; teaching experience is a plus. Applicants are highly encouraged to visit the Artist Studios at MAD to fully understand the structure of the program.

The positions are paid, temporary adjunct and part-time. This program will run for approximately 4 months; each maker will work one regularly scheduled day/week, with some additional evening shifts on Thursdays and Fridays. Participants will also have the opportunity to display their work in the museum’s 6th floor vitrines. Each artist will also have their bio and two images of their work featured on MAD’s website.

To learn more about this opportunity, visit our artist studios page.

To apply click here.

We cannot accept original works of art, nor do we assume responsibility for any materials submitted.

Above images: The Museum of Arts and Design, New York. Image courtesy of the Museum.