Position: Inclusive Learning Manager

Reports to: Director & Curator of Learning and Engagement

Direct Reports: 3

Division: Learning & Engagement

FLSA Status: Full Time, Salaried, Exempt

Salary Range: $75,000 - $80,000 annually

Work Hours: Monday – Friday, 35 hours per week at 90% FTE

Hybrid Option: 3 days per week on site (including Tuesdays and Thursdays) with the option for 2 days per week remote. Occasional weekend and evening work at events is required.

Position Summary

The Frye Art Museum seeks an Inclusive Learning Manager (“Manager”) to lead the design, coordination, and implementation of diverse learning programs that engage K-12 students, educators, families, and intergenerational groups. Grounded in the museum’s collection and exhibitions, the Manager will oversee dynamic, inquiry- and object-based learning experiences that activate the museum’s galleries and art studio.

This role supports the Frye’s diversity, equity, accessibility, inclusion, and belonging priorities by collaborating with a wide range of artists, students, teachers, and community members. As a key member of the Learning & Engagement team, the Manager will play a vital role in nurturing and reimagining existing programs while spearheading new initiatives that broaden the museum’s impact.

The Manager will build strong relationships with teaching artists, educators, schools, and community groups, leading the recruitment and training of teaching artists, contract educators, and gallery guides.

Proficient in both the strategic and operational aspects of learning programs, the Manager will oversee curriculum design, ensure thorough planning, and contribute to an environment that fosters inclusive and impactful learning.

The Learning & Engagement team at the Frye Art Museum creates dynamic and reciprocal interactions with artists, students, teachers, and community members. Our diverse programs engage people of all ages in visual thinking strategies, hands-on artmaking, and interdisciplinary performances and talks. Our mission is to advance accessibility, foster intergenerational exchange, and support lifelong learning across the museum.

About Frye Art Museum

Founded in 1952, the Frye is Seattle’s only free art museum, bringing together art and new ideas within a stunning Olson Sundberg Kundig-designed building in historic First Hill. A foundation collection of turn-of-the-century oil paintings is bolstered by a wide range of modern and contemporary art holdings, reflecting our region’s evolving identity and a commitment to exploring the art of our time. Learn more at fryemuseum.org.

Key Responsibilities

Program Strategy (40%)

Contribute to the vision and strategy of the Learning & Engagement Division.
Develop a comprehensive strategy for learning programs, incorporating access-centered and revenue-generating components, in collaboration with the Director & Curator of Learning and Engagement (“Director”).
Act as the primary advisor to the Director on learning and inclusive pedagogy, including accessible teaching strategies and learning accommodations.
Develop a multi-year slate of inclusive and cross-disciplinary learning programs and develop curriculum for K-12 students, families, intergenerational community groups, and educators, with support from the Teaching Artist Lead (“Lead”).
Enhance and expand legacy programs (eg. Field Trip to the Frye, Small Frye, and Educator Workshops) and create new learning series and special programs.
Develop exhibition-related resources that provide accessible entry points into the Frye collection and exhibitions for current and prospective audiences.
Support the development of interpretive content for exhibitions, in coordination with the Curatorial and Exhibition teams.
Design and facilitate onsite educator workshops that highlight curricular connections between the museum’s collections and exhibitions and the classroom, meeting with educators to discuss goals and needs.
Identify, contract, and manage a diverse roster of teaching artists for learning and engagement programs.
Build and maintain relationships with artists, educators, schools, districts, community partners, and other stakeholders as collaborators for program planning and audience development.
Foster partnerships with community organizations, schools, and cultural institutions to expand the reach impact of the Frye’s learning programs.
Reimagine the Gallery Guide program and establish a museum-wide internship program, in coordination with the Director.
Expand the Art and Medicine program in collaboration with the Director and Lead.
Assist in designing and delivering educational content and teaching strategies for adult programs in collaboration with the Associate Director of Creative Aging Programs and Public Programs Manager.
Evaluate and refine current outreach initiatives; engage with underserved communities to build awareness of the museum’s learning programs and invite input to inform future programming possibilities.
Ensure effective promotion of learning and engagement programs, in collaboration with the Communications team.
Share information across the organization and collaborate to support initiatives and practices that foster a welcoming environment and ensure a positive museum experience for diverse audiences.
Contribute to a positive organizational culture based on mutual respect, collegiality, cooperation, and openness to many perspectives.

Program Facilitation (40%)

Lead and oversee inclusive learning programs that engage diverse audiences, including school groups, families, adults, and community organizations.
Oversee the day-to-day operations of inclusive and culturally responsive learning programs, including artwork discussions, art-making classes, professional development workshops, and community events that enable children and lifelong learners to see themselves reflected in Frye programs and exhibitions.
Direct and support the Lead. Hire, train, and oversee part time teaching artists and contract educators, coordinating with Associate Director of Creative Aging Programs when relevant.
Manage the Gallery Guide and Art and Medicine programs.
Develop learning program titles and descriptions, plan program timelines, and interface with various museum departments for successful program implementation, in collaboration with the Lead.
Serve as the primary contact for learning program presenters, in coordination with the Lead.
Staff all learning programs and provide supervision and direction to staff and volunteers, with on-site registration support from the Visitor Services Lead and volunteer support from the Development Manager.
Document programs and track attendance and feedback.

Program Administration (20%)

Develop and manage the departmental budget.
Oversee program timelines, layouts, and checklists, and liaise with the Security and Facilities teams.
Oversee logistics for payment, bus reimbursement, travel, and facilities to ensure program success in collaboration with the Learning & Engagement Coordinator.
Enter public program details into museum calendars, databases, and project management tools.
Assist with publishing learning program content and promoting events online, in coordination with the Communications team.
Oversee and create new content for the Frye website, blog, and quarterly newsletter, in coordination with the Communications team.
Design, implement, and analyze program evaluations including post-program surveys to identify areas for improvement, in coordination with the Director.
Prepare presentations and reports for the Director, including content for board updates and other cross-departmental projects.
Stay informed about and share best practices in museum learning and engagement, and contemporary art and culture. Track local and national resources for ongoing learning.
Participate in weekly Teaching Artist Cohort and Learning & Engagement team meetings.
Support other Learning & Engagement programs and initiatives as needed.
Assist with proposal design and grant writing as needed.

Desired Qualifications, Knowledge, and Skills

Commitment to supporting diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging, with a demonstrated motivation to develop accessible programs and work with diverse audiences.
Record of success in innovative program development, visitor engagement, and program evaluation.
Proficiency in Visual Thinking Strategies and expertise in interpreting art collections and contemporary exhibitions to convey their significance to diverse audiences, generate excitement, and achieve learning goals.
Ability to instruct on and model art techniques across a broad range of art materials and practices, with experience developing and leading hands-on lessons for diverse abilities.
Experience with culturally relevant pedagogy and integrating state and national standards into arts curricula, with familiarity in STEAM education, project-based learning, and design thinking.
Experience working directly with artists, educators, community partners, and stakeholders to build effective working relationships.
Strong management and administrative skills, with the ability to prioritize and multitask across multiple projects independently and collaboratively.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including strong presentation abilities and the ability to represent the museum with professionalism and enthusiasm.
Demonstrated creativity, curiosity, collaboration, and a strong work ethic.
Demonstrated positivity, flexibility, and ability to manage stress with humor, focus, and friendliness.
Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
Fluency in English; proficiency in ASL and/or additional languages is a plus.

Required Education/Experience

4+ years of experience coordinating, developing, and producing learning and engagement programs in museums, arts and cultural organizations, or similar settings through inquiry- and object-based teaching methodologies.
2+ years of experience managing and mentoring staff, including emerging and experienced educators, teaching artists and gallery guides.
Experience with Microsoft Office Suite, Zoom, and database systems.

Benefits

35-hour work week
Hybrid Option: 3 days onsite (including Tuesday and Thursdays) and 2 days remote
Full health benefits: Dental, Vision, Medical (100% employer paid option)
Paid vacation and sick time accrual after 90 days of employment
Transportation and Commuter benefits
403b savings plan with 1.5% employer match
Employee assistance program
20% Museum store discount
15% Cafe discount
Reciprocal museum membership

How to Apply

Candidates should submit a resume that outlines relevant experience and a cover letter. The position is open until filled but priority will be given to candidates who apply by October 15, 2024.

In the cover letter, please address the following questions:

Why are you drawn to work at the Frye in the Learning & Engagement division?
What about this role appeals to you?
Why is this opportunity relevant and important to you at this moment in your career?

We strongly encourage applicants from individuals of all backgrounds, especially those who bring diverse perspectives that will continue to contribute to the inclusive and equitable culture we are fostering at the Frye Art Museum. We value diversity in all forms and believe that diverse experiences, voices, and perspectives enrich our work and community.

The position is open until filled. Please do not send emails or make phone calls. Due to the high volume of applications received, we can only contact candidates whose skills and backgrounds best fit the needs of the open positions. We will contact you by email or phone to arrange a phone screen.

Work Conditions

Work areas are inside, in a climate-controlled environment with light background noise. Work is occasionally performed at other indoor and outdoor event sites. Shift times may vary to meet the museum's requirement to staff the facilities and events. Work may require weekend and evening hours and extended periods of attendance at museum events.

Physical Activities Required to Perform Essential Functions

Ability to converse and exchange information for effective communication.
Remaining in a stationary location, standing or sitting, and occasionally moving through the museum, which is wheelchair accessible.
Regular operation of computer systems and other office equipment such as phones and printers.
Capacity to stay on-site for extended durations during museum programs and events.

As much as possible, the Frye Art Museum will accommodate applicants with disabilities to perform essential functions and duties. Please contact the Human Resources Department (jobs@fryemuseum.org) for additional information.

COVID-19 Considerations

Note that all employees are asked to adhere to museum guidance and policy for COVID-19, which may change over time.

EEOC Statement

We recognize that a successful candidate will meet many of the requirements in this job description but may only meet some of the qualifications. We encourage applicants to apply if much of this job description describes them.

As part of our commitment to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace, we invest in building teams with various backgrounds, identities, and experiences. The Frye is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, sex, religion, age, marital or veteran status, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, or any other basis prohibited by local, state, or federal law.

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Inclusive Learning Manager