Work at The Square!

Under the supervision of the Executive Director, the Director of Education is responsible for coordinating and administering a diverse program of creative enrichment opportunities for patrons of all ages and abilities. The education program includes multiple art education components, including art classes and workshops for all ages and a volunteer Docent Program for 3rd grade tours. The education department coordinates and runs multiple outreach programs including 5 Free Art Programs (Curative Art Collective, Adults with Disabilities, Senior Art Class, annual 3rd Grade Tours, and Veteran Arts Program). The weekly Curative Art Collective for teens is co-run by the Executive Director.

Collaborative efforts between the Education Department and Curatorial Department are required to design enriching art programming that coincides with museum exhibitions. Patron relations include networking with local artists, art educators, civic groups, local organizations and businesses, MAGDA conference, Arts Association of Montana, and the Great Falls Museums Consortium. Collaborations with appropriate staff leads include social media communication; writing and submitting information for promotional materials; programming and scheduling; designing and implementing the annual Arts on Fire Festival; seeking program and event sponsorships; writing, submitting, collecting data, and reporting grants and sponsorships; coordinating volunteer participation; and other local event and special projects.

Other responsibilities will include the Director of Education acting as a representative for the museum within Great Falls and surrounding communities by coordinating additional educational programs.

See below for full details and application requirements!

Job Title: Education Director
Classification: Full-time, salaried (exempt)
Reports to:
Executive Director
Salary: $40,000
Hours: M-F 8:00am-5:00pm | Some evening and weekend hours are required.

Responsibilities:

Educational/Programming

  • In collaboration with the Curator of Exhibitions and Collections, recruit, and train volunteers for the Docent Program.

  • Schedule group docent tours for schools and other organizations including the annual Great Falls Public Schools 3rd grade tours.

  • Develop and coordinate hands-on activities for docent tours and workshops.

  • Plan and schedule classes and workshops for all ages and abilities.

  • Coordinate the Free Art Programs for community members for all ages and abilities.

  • Recruit and manage art instructors and their needs for Quarterly classes and workshops.

  • Evaluate programs, activities, and instructors.

  • Ability to teach art classes to all ages, including adults, youth, and students with disabilities.

  • Plan and coordinate with museum team members the Annual Arts on Fire event for the education department and museum.

  • Maintain classroom organization, program supplies and educational materials.

  • With approval from the Executive Director, order class and educational supplies.

  • Design and distribute fliers, posters and other promotional materials for workshops, classes, and events in collaboration with Operations Manager.

  • Work with other Museum team to write for, collect data, and report grants to support educational programming and activities.

  • Solicit educational sponsorships with Development Director and Executive Director and manage reporting.

  • Work with the Curator of Exhibitions and Collections to develop interpretive programming for exhibitions.

Administrative Responsibilities

  • Report program activities, developments, accomplishments to the Executive Director and Education Committee monthly. 

  • Respond to e-mail correspondence amongst staff and education committee internally and externally within 24 hours. 

  • Work with the Executive Director to design, update and implement departmental policies and procedures. 

  • Manage the department budget, including monthly review, mid-year forecasting, and fiscal year budget planning. 

  • Monitor grant funds and expenditures, while maintaining necessary records. 

  • Attend monthly staff and Education Committee meetings. 

  • Collaborate with while overseeing ceramic tech, instructors, and volunteers. 

  • Other Duties as assigned. 

Follow the 5 Expectations of The Square Team:

Be Here Be Square

Come to work every scheduled day on time and be committed to your job. Be ready to work every day with an attitude of gratitude for having a job at the Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art, which upholds an important humanitarian need in society. Be focused on your job and tasks at hand. Know that you are an important part of the team and structure of this institution, and your department and role provide a necessary need to uphold the mission, vision, and values of the museum. If you are running late to work notify the Executive Director or specific department head.

Solve & Resolve.

When a problem arises in your department see it, own it, solve it, and do it. You were hired because of your experience and expertise in your field. Your skills and knowledge support each department.

Care to Share.

Communication is imperative for staff relations and building lasting relationships.

Communicate in a respectful and clear manner. Communicate your needs and intentions. Take the time to speak to patrons who enter the museum. If you are in the hallway, take a minute to say hello and thank them for coming to the museum. Strike up a conversation, where are they from, have they been here before? Let them know about other upcoming events and where to find the information.

Bridge the Gap.

Take the time to outreach and build relationships with outside community members and business owners. Invite them to the museum. Help with soliciting museum memberships by sharing our mission, vision, and values.

Believe & Achieve.

Strive every day to work towards your goals.

What does it look like to be successful in your field? List your top 3 goals for your department.

What type of professional development would help you succeed with your goals?

Is there anything lacking in your department that keeps you from achieving your goals?

Qualifications & Skills:

Required: Bachelor’s Degree.  Preferred degree: MFA, BFA, Art Education, arts administration, or related fields. If no degree, required minimum of 6 years of professional art or non-profit administrative experience. 

  • Minimum three years’ experience in art education, administrative field, or related field. 

  • Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and multi-task. 

  • Established grant writing and fundraising experience.  

  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.  

  • Strong organization and project management skills.  

  • Ability to collaborate with museum staff and work in a team-based environment. 

  • Ability to establish effective, efficient, and professional policies and procedures for the Education Department. 

  • Ability to work some evenings and weekends. 

  • Strong technological skills, for administrative work and implementing online marketing and programming. 

  • Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite. 

  • Photoshop experience a plus. 

Salary & Benefits:

This is a full-time (exempt) salaried position: starting salary: $40,000. Health Insurance benefits are available after 2 months. Probationary period 1-year. Flexible work and vacation schedule. 

Application Requirements:

-Letter of interest
-
Resume or CV
-3 letters of recommendation
-Additional materials if available: Grant writing sample, portfolio images, teaching philosophy, and lesson plans.
Please e-mail your application packet to:
Sarah Justice: Executive Director
sarah@the-square.org

About the Museum:  

The Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art is the leading contemporary art museum in Central Montana. We cultivate public exposure of contemporary art and “outsider” art through dynamic exhibitions, thoughtful collection and preservation, and multi-generational and Special needs educational programming. The Square also serves as a cultural center in a Historical Building.  

Our Mission: To inspire and promote contemporary arts through exhibitions, collections, events, and education in a historic setting.  

Our Vision: To connect the community with culture and contemporary art.  

Our Values:  

• Respectfully supports diversity, equity, and inclusion where all voices are heard.
• Creates opportunities for diverse guests to make a meaningful connection with the Arts.
• Engages a diverse population by collecting, preserving, exhibiting, and interpreting art.
• Inspires artistic expression and understanding through educational programming.
• Supports contemporary artists by providing opportunities for them to develop, create, and exhibit new work.
• Preserves a significant historic building.  

About Great Falls, Montana:

Community: Great Falls straddles the Missouri River in the heart of Montana and is known as the "Electric City" because of its numerous dams and power plants. It is a place for independent, outdoor adventurers; seekers of culture and history; and planners of meetings looking for a true, authentic Montana experience. Great Falls provides a basecamp for a wide range of outdoor adventures and offers a haven of rich arts, including the Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art; culture; and history in a vibrant, modern community where an expansive, unspoiled, diverse landscape renews one’s spirit! Currently the greater Great Falls area is home to approximately 65,000 residents. Please feel free to visit the following sites to learn more about Great Falls.

https://www.visitmt.com/places-to-go/cities-and-towns/great-falls
https://visitgreatfallsmontana.org/  

To Apply:

- Resumé or CV
- Three (3) professional References with contact information
-Additional materials if available: Grant writing sample, portfolio images, teaching philosophy, and lesson plans.

Send resume and references to sarah@the-square.org . Applications accepted now!