Ryan Learning Center Facilitator

Art Institute of Chicago•Chicago, IL

About The Position

As part of the Creative Spaces team, the Ryan Learning Center (RLC) Facilitator teaches and helps produce artmaking programs and installations that make the museum a creative, welcoming, inclusive, and accessible place for families and multigenerational audiences. The part-time facilitator serves as a daily captain in the Art Exchange, the museum’s public hub for learning and creativity. The role supports the successful operation of Creative Spaces by facilitating welcoming artmaking experiences, maintaining the space and daily operations, and coordinating staff responsibilities and administrative needs as appropriate. Alongside Art Exchange captain shifts, the facilitator contributes to the development, refinement, and administration of Creative Spaces programs and installations. The position typically involves 2–3 shifts per week in the Art Exchange; a back-up facilitator works 1–2 shifts per week. The Ryan Learning Center serves children, teens, families, students, and educators through programs, partnerships, and resources such as gallery experiences, studio workshops, youth leadership opportunities, festivals and events, neighborhood engagements, and professional learning. Its work centers equitable access, culturally responsive experiences, Chicago learners, and civic partnerships.

Requirements

Experience working with students, children, or families; adult professional development; and/or museums or informal education settings is preferred (2+ years).
Emerging knowledge of early learning and curriculum design for drop-in, multigenerational programs.
Understanding of current informal education trends, assessment, documentation, evaluation, differentiated learning, and instruction methods.
Working understanding of children’s developmental levels.
Experience with artistic practices, working with artists, designing curriculum, teaching with works of art, and/or developing art-related content.
Familiarity with a variety of family-friendly artmaking materials and tools.
Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate with audiences of different backgrounds, knowledge levels, and abilities.
Ability to function effectively as part of a team.
Strong problem-solving skills and ability to overcome everyday challenges and find practical solutions.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Google Suite.
Ability to stand and move throughout the workday, including periods of up to 2–3 hours during peak attendance and program times.
Ability to occasionally lift and move program materials and supplies weighing up to 25 pounds; rolling carts are available as needed.
With training, ability to operate cutting equipment such as paper-cutting guillotines, X-Acto knives, and scissors.
Ability to retrieve and set up materials at heights using ladders, step stools, or assistive equipment.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree preferred.
Spanish-language fluency is an asset.
Experience with remote work tools preferred.

Responsibilities

Perform daily maintenance and cleaning, and complete opening and closing procedures for the Art Exchange.
Provide instruction and guidance for visitor engagements and support the direction of volunteers, part-time staff, and interns working in the Art Exchange.
Assist with, maintain, and coordinate Ryan Learning Center creative installations, including the Trott Family Gallery, Multisensory Gallery, McCormick Gallery, and Art Exchange.
Participate in professional development and staff community-building to sustain teaching practices, maintain awareness of museum collections and exhibitions, and follow logistical procedures.
Contribute to training and coaching volunteers and interns as needed.
Test artmaking experiences and provide input to staff who lead program development.
Implement formal evaluation to gather visitor feedback; report visitor-experience issues and barriers to RLC staff in a timely manner; and develop recommendations based on visitor input.
Inventory, prepare, stock, and organize supplies for the Art Exchange and for larger onsite and offsite events as needed.
Facilitate or support events in the Ryan Learning Center, museum galleries, or offsite locations, including leading drop-in studio artmaking, assisting with event setup and breakdown, preparing or transporting materials, and traveling to community sites.
Collaborate across departments to coordinate smooth operation of the Ryan Learning Center.
Provide timely and accurate attendance reports and administrative support to the department as needed.