Museum Educator, School Programs

Art and Wellness Enterprises • Bentonville, AR

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The mission of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is to welcome all to celebrate the American spirit in a setting that unites the power of art with the beauty of nature. Founded by philanthropist and arts patron Alice Walton, Crystal Bridges is a public non-profit charitable organization. Crystal Bridges is a museum of American art located in Bentonville, Arkansas, exploring the unfolding story of America by actively collecting, exhibiting, interpreting, and preserving outstanding works. The Momentary, an extension to Crystal Bridges, is a venue for music, art, and food, and a catalyst for creativity and economic vitality. Museum Educators for School Programs play a pivotal part in inspiring students and educators through dynamic, interactive experiences in the museum galleries, school classrooms, and virtual spaces. Working closely with full-time educators and the Manager of Museum Education, this role supports the design and implementation of K-12 curriculum (with some Pre-k and higher education support) and programming, contributing to innovative initiatives that enhance art-based learning while centering learners’ identities, voices, and opportunities for choice-making. The role is instrumental in helping to drive leading-edge, object-focused, gallery-based instruction, making direct engagement with works of art central to transformative teaching practices. The Educator will support the Walker School Visits program, Windgate School Partnerships program, the Creative Campus Experience, Virtual Experiences, in-classroom work and more. Museum Educators champion student-centered learning by developing scalable, innovative educational content that broadens the museum’s reach, positioning Crystal Bridges as a leader in arts-integrated education, and ensuring teachers are equipped to inspire the next generation of learners. This position offers an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful impact in art and education by inspiring students and teachers to explore, create, and connect through the transformative power of art.

Requirements

• Demonstrated knowledge of current trends in K-12 education, museum pedagogy, and arts-based learning.
• Experience in designing and implementing innovative educational programs.
• Proven ability to build relationships with educators, administrators, and community partners.
• Bachelor’s degree in art education, art history, studio art, education, museum studies, or equivalent degree/experience required
• Demonstrated knowledge of American art history required
• Minimum of three years’ experience teaching a range of ages in school or community setting
• Three years’ experience in leading tours, facilitating programs, or public speaking.
• Proficient in designing and facilitating interactive learning experiences, ensuring engagement, collaboration, and meaningful participation.
• Expertise in museum education theory, STEAM learning strategies, and student-centered teaching practices
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment while maintaining flexibility and creativity.
• Exceptional communication skills, both verbal and written, with a talent for public speaking and leading interactive sessions.
• Ability to adapt and problem-solve in dynamic situations, demonstrating initiative and a collaborative mindset.
• Technological proficiency with virtual engagement platforms, content creation tools, and digital learning environments.

Nice To Haves

• Bilingual in Spanish, Ebon (Marshallese), or ASL (American Sign Language) strongly preferred.
• Preference given to those with teaching licensure.
• knowledge of art, architecture, nature, and wellness is preferred
• Fluency in additional languages is desirable but not required.

Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver explorations of art in galleries (on average 80% of the time), classrooms, offsite locations, and through virtual platforms, prioritizing student-centered learning. This includes, and is not limited to, tours and art-making workshops.
• Under the supervision of the Manager of Museum Education, Manager of Curriculum and Instruction, and the Sr. Director of Learning, design and write curriculum and interpretive materials for all K-12 initiatives, incorporating best practices in museum education and current trends in STEAM and arts integration. Leverage digital tools, such as AI, to create engaging and accessible content.
• Develop and implement digital engagement projects, including virtual tours, video content, audio recordings, and interactive online tools, while staying at the forefront of technological advancements in education.
• Continuously refine and innovate instructional practices to create impactful and learner-centered experiences.
• Collaborate in the planning, programming, and execution of school and teacher events, ensuring alignment with educational goals and participant needs.
• Attend and actively engage in training sessions and cohort meetings to build skills, share insights, and contribute to a culture of continuous learning.
• Building meaningful relationships among students, teachers, and administrators to create exceptional and impactful experiences.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Mid Level