Education Assistant

The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, located in Ridgefield, CT, is seeking an Education Assistant (“Assistant”). Founded by collector Larry Aldrich in 1964, today the Museum is a platform for artists at pivotal moments in their careers.

The Education Assistant (Assistant) will support the Education Department in developing and delivering innovative, enriching, and creative strategies for engagement with Pre-K through 12 students and educators; colleges and universities; families; teens; and adults. 

The Assistant will manage and lead the Teen Fellows program and internship initiatives, including cultivating outreach and mentoring a diverse cohort of teens throughout the academic year. They will also lead gallery tours and support a wide range of museum programs, from developing exhibition-based resources for teacher, student, and family learning, to coordinating program registrations, maintaining The Studio, and other administrative tasks for the department.

For public programs, the Assistant will facilitate the administrative, logistic, and technological needs to make the experience run smoothly for families and adults. In doing so, the Assistant will collaborate with program staff, Museum guides, per diem educators, teaching artists, and guest participants, and when necessary, become the departmental point-person on site.

Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Lead gallery tours and programs for students, families, and teachers.
• Lead the Museum’s Teen Fellows program and internship opportunities, including recruitment, mentoring, and program development that supports youth leadership, learning, and engagement with contemporary art. This role includes liaising with exhibiting artists and coordinating their participation in the Teen Fellows program.
• Coordinate administrative tasks for school and group tours, including relationship building with community partners, scheduling of Aldrich Museum educators, and communication with teachers and administrators.
• Assist in generating and actively maintaining inquiry-based, exhibition-specific curriculum for tours and workshops; support in the research and development of innovative educational resources that enhance the experience of students, teachers, and general visitors alike.
• Support in the creation and distribution of content manuals, training guides, program assessment and evaluation, and operational work processes that ensure a smooth delivery of learning and family programs.
• Cultivate program outreach to K-12 teachers, higher education faculty, teens, seniors, and individuals with special needs.
• Maintain The Studio, the Museum’s multi-purpose program and art-making space, including but not limited to developing innovative hands-on projects for visitors of all ages, overseeing materials inventory, and coordinating use of The Studio with colleagues.
• Ensure that all Studio technology equipment is working, maintained, and updated; liaise with the Communications department as needed.
• Communicate with the Visitor Experience team for all education programs.
• Additional tasks as assigned, including programmatic and administrative support for public programs and departmental initiatives.

The successful applicant:

• Has a positive attitude, collaborative spirit, and strong work ethic.
• Is poised, confident, personable, and professional; able to clearly articulate and represent the Museum’s mission with excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Can adapt quickly and engage comfortably with diverse audiences of all ages, needs, backgrounds, and abilities.
• Is proactive, solution-oriented, and demonstrates exemplary problem-solving skills.
• Is organized, efficient, and diligent.
• Can multi-task the administrative needs of the department, including the preparation, breakdown, and follow-up for programs.
• Has experience using Zoom and managing the multiple functions of virtual meetings and webinars.
• Commits to Diversity, Equity, Accessibility and Inclusion in all aspects of educational programming and audience engagement.
• Is able to introduce and implement educational methods, tools, and trends in the field.
• Possesses a vested interest in arts education, with inherent curiosity and the ability to think creatively.

Requirements and qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent combination of experience and education in a relevant field, with a strong interest in arts programming
• 3 years of work-related experience (preferably in arts programming, museum education, or nonprofit administration).
• Demonstrated experience working with teens in educational or creative settings.
• Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including comfort with public speaking.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively across departments and with external partners.
• Flexibility to work weekends and evenings as needed.

The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum

Non-Discrimination Policy

The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum is committed to:

• The goal of achieving equal opportunity for all.
• Providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of the community.
• Providing an inclusive and nondiscriminatory work environment in which all employees feel valued and empowered to succeed.
• Providing a workplace free from harassment of all kinds.
• Compliance with all federal and state legislation and regulations regarding non-discrimination.

Consistent with these principles, The Aldrich does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, expression and characteristics, age, religion, national or ethnic origin, visible or invisible disability, veteran status, or any other protected status. The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer 

Please send a cover letter and resume to: [email protected], with the subject line “Education Assistant.” Qualified candidates will be contacted.