Mirken Coordinator of Campus and Community Collaboration

Colby College•Colby, KS

About The Position

The Mirken Coordinator of Campus and Community Collaboration coordinates campus and community programs and partnerships for the Colby College Museum of Art, advancing a key museum goal of opening access and empowering people to explore and enjoy art. Primary responsibilities for this role are collaborating with museum colleagues, student and campus groups, and community partners to develop and execute programs at the museum on campus, to organize or co-organize events and programs related to exhibitions at the Joan Dignam Schmaltz Gallery of Art at the Paul J. Schupf Art Center, and to coordinate outreach efforts broadly across Waterville and the central Maine region. The Coordinator develops a variety of partnerships to inform and implement a range of engagement programs and formats. They work closely with the Linde Family Foundation Curator of Academic Engagement and the Linde Family Foundation Educator for College Audiences, and all members of the engagement team. The Coordinator contributes to developing communication strategies and content that foster participation. The position requires frequent work on weekends and evenings. Located in Waterville, Maine, the Colby College Museum of Art opens access to art and artists, creating a forum for experimentation, research, dialogue, and joyful connection. Founded in 1959, the Colby College Museum of Art is a collecting and teaching museum dedicated to the preservation, display, and interpretation of the visual arts. We embrace within our collections works of art from diverse cultures and historical periods, with a focus on American art, and commitment to collecting and exhibiting contemporary art. Free and open to all, with locations on the Colby College campus and in downtown Waterville, the museum advances Colby College’s educational and research mission, enriches the region’s cultural and community life, and contributes to the great field of American art. The museum and its Lunder Institute for American Art bring extraordinary art experiences to central Maine and generate new scholarship with national and international impact.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or the equivalent in education and experience
Minimum 2-3 years of relevant professional work experience
Experience with visitor experience, audience engagement, or community and/or public programming development in the cultural sector; experience working with artists and/or arts organizations preferred
Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills, including strong relationship skills and ability to work with people across a wide range of levels of power and influence
Demonstrated ability to synthesize information and communicate key points
Excellent organizational skills, punctuality, ability to consistently meet deadlines and follow-through on tasks
Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills
Ability to exercise good judgment and discretion in representing the museum and Colby College
Proficiency with Microsoft Office software and Google applications; comfort with or ability to learn basic Adobe Creative Suite tools (Photoshop, InDesign)
Strong, self-motivated work ethic, flexibility, and proven ability to work both independently and collaboratively as a member of a diverse community
Appreciation for the value of a liberal arts education and commitment to fostering an equitable educational and work environment supportive of people from different cultures, backgrounds, and life paths
Valid driver’s license required and must meet the College’s Fleet Safety Policy requirements; willingness and ability to travel locally, regionally, and within the US as needed

Responsibilities

Campus and Community Programming and Partnerships (60%) Work with the Dean of the College’s office (including its Office of Civic Engagement), campus groups and departments, and community organizations (Waterville Creates, Colby’s Arts Office, among others) to develop, implement, and evaluate sustained and strategic partnerships and programs that connect Colby students, faculty, staff, and community audiences with the museum’s exhibitions and collections on campus and downtown Waterville spaces. This includes planning all programs and activities related to the Joan Dignam Schmaltz Gallery of Art and the Museum’s annual Community Day, which takes place each July. The Coordinator identifies, builds, and stewards relationships in ways that surface needs, identify strategic opportunities, and achieve shared goals.
Manage the Museum’s Student Board in conjunction with engagement staff to inform campus and student programming and partnerships, and liaise between the Student Board and the Museum staff and senior team.
Working with the Associate Director of Finance and Museum Administration, support recruitment, onboarding, and outreach efforts related to the Museum's internship program.
Working with the Linde Family Foundation Educator for College Audiences and the Linde Family Foundation Curator for Academic Engagement, provides guidance and guidelines to staff on how to supervise and mentor academic year student workers and interns and identify opportunities for student growth during their time with the museum.
In collaboration with the Linde Family Foundation Educator for College Audiences, assists with the museum’s summer internship program as needed.
Supervise and mentor one or more engagement interns as needed.
Work with other Colby student groups to increase interaction and dialogue between students and the museum as a whole, and between students and our broader communities, fostering student participation in program development and implementation.
In collaboration with the Academic Engagement team, foster a welcoming and supportive environment for student workers, summer intern cohorts, and support academic engagement programs and initiatives as needed.
Work with external community groups to foster a sense of ownership in the museum and create tangible opportunities for individual and group participation.
In collaboration with Lunder Institute of American Art staff, coordinate and support art-based programming that connects students, local and regional communities with the Lunder Institute’s artists and scholars, where applicable.
Work with Mirken Director of Learning and Engagement on special projects related to campus and community engagement programs, as needed
Communications and Operations (30%) In collaboration with the Executive Assistant and Events Manager, design setups and program flow for campus and community programs. Inform catering needs, contracts, payments, promotional strategies,and other programmatic-related details.
Develop a central programmatic calendar for museum and community events within Waterville and the central Maine region. Cross-check event calendars to avoid conflicts with other programs being offered across campus and Waterville.
Attend outreach events, festivals, and community gatherings in Waterville and central Maine, as needed.
Track community/downtown program budgets in collaboration with administrative staff and the Mirken Director of learning and engagement
Communicate program information related to community and downtown programs with internal and external stakeholders, supporting the Executive Assistant and Events Manager as needed.
Work with the museum’s communications department to promote campus and community offerings and expand their visibility and reach.
Work with museum colleagues, building staff, and Waterville Creates partners to maintain effective communication and coordination of operations and events at the Paul J. Schupf Arts Center.
Work with the Mirken Director of Learning and Engagement on relevant programmatic data compilation and tracking in preparation for grant reports, presentations, and updating documents for internal stakeholders, as needed.
Work with the Mirken Director of Learning and Engagement and Learning and Engagement Coordinator to advance visitor and program evaluation initiatives for the museum by administering surveys, tracking data, and organizing information.
Support the cultivation of strong relationships with donors, alumni, the Museum’s Board of Governors, and key constituents across the campus.
Additional Responsibilities (10%) Participate in museum-wide meetings and in professional learning opportunities.
Contribute to the field, developing and sustaining a network of relationships with peers, mentors, and mentees, and remaining knowledgeable of trends in the field and best and next practices in the arts and culture sector.
Represent the museum in professional and academic forums locally, regionally, and nationally, as needed.