Ryan Learning Center Facilitator

Art Institute of Chicago•Chicago, IL

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Art Institute of Chicago is seeking a Ryan Learning Center (RLC) Facilitator to join the Creative Spaces team. This part-time role involves actively teaching and contributing to artmaking programs and installations within the Ryan Learning Center, ensuring it is a creative, welcoming, inclusive, and accessible space for families and multigenerational audiences. The RLC Facilitator will act as a daily captain in the Art Exchange, supporting the successful operation of Creative Spaces by facilitating artmaking experiences, maintaining the space, coordinating staff responsibilities, and handling administrative needs. Additionally, the facilitator will contribute to the development, refinement, and administration of Creative Spaces programs and installations. The role requires 2-3 shifts per week in the Art Exchange, with 1-2 additional shifts as a back-up facilitator.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree preferred.
2+ years’ experience working with students, children, or families; adult professional development; and/or in museums or informal education settings preferred.
Emerging knowledge of early learning and curriculum design for drop-in, multigenerational programs; an understanding of current informal education trends, assessment, documentation, evaluation, and methods for differentiated learning and instruction; working understanding of children’s developmental levels.
Previous 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 ability to communicate with audiences of different backgrounds, levels of knowledge, and types of ability. Ability to function effectively as part of a team.
Strong problem-solving skills, ability to overcome everyday challenges and find practical solutions.
Proficiency in MS Office Suite and Google Suite required; experience with remote work tools preferred.
Spanish-language fluency is an asset in this position.

Nice To Haves

Spanish-language fluency

Responsibilities

Daily maintenance, cleaning, opening and closing procedures, provides instruction and guidance for engagements, and supports the direction of volunteers, part-time staff, and interns working in the Art Exchange.
Provides assistance, maintenance, and coordination support for Ryan Learning Center creative installations including the Trott Family Gallery, Multisensory Gallery, the McCormick Gallery, and the Art Exchange.
Participates in professional development and community-building with staff to sustain current teaching practices, maintain awareness of museum collections and exhibitions, and ensure adherence to logistical procedures.
Contributes to the training and coaching of volunteers and interns, as needed.
Contributes to the development of artmaking experiences by testing and providing input to staff who lead program development.
Implements a formal evaluation to gather feedback from visitors; provides timely reporting of issues to RLC staff on visitor experience and barriers, and generates recommendations based on visitor inputs.
Inventories, prepares, stocks, and organizes supplies for the Art Exchange as well as for larger scale onsite and offsite events, as needed.
At times, facilitate or support events that take place in the Ryan Learning Center, in the museum’s galleries, or in offsite locations, which may include leading drop-in studio artmaking experiences, supporting staff with event set-up and break-down, preparing and/transporting artmaking materials, and traveling to community sites.
Collaborates with colleagues across departments to coordinate the smooth operation of the Ryan Learning Center; provides timely and accurate reporting on attendance; provides administrative support to the department as needed.