Learning Specialist

The Department of Learning and Engagement at The Museum of Modern Art supports the Museum’s founding educational mission to ensure that people of all ages and abilities “enjoy, understand and use” the art of our time in ways that add value to their lives. The department collaborates across the organization to empower a diverse public to form their own interpretations and connections to art by telling stories, asking questions, actively making and participating in the artistic process, and offering and listening to multiple perspectives. Programs offered by the department range from artist-driven activations to classes, online courses, studio programs, facilitated gallery explorations, workshops, publications and more.

Position summary:

Works as part of a cohort that provides a wide range of facilitated experiences both inside and outside of the Museum, including connecting classes to exhibitions and collections, facilitated artmaking workshops, community meetings, interpretive discussions, and online teaching. Provides inclusive inquiry-based teaching with a focus on the power of art and artist to effect individual and social transformation.

Specific responsibilities include:

• Works directly with MoMA staff to deliver pre-planned learning programs for a range of audiences. Delivers facilitated explorations of art in the galleries, offsite, or via video conference, maintaining a high quality of customer service and professionalism in all environments. Facilitates hands-on studio sessions, workshops, and other activities. Plans for and facilitates teen meetings, including off site excursions, meetings, discussions and more. Visits classes of students in NYC schools across the five boroughs to deliver MoMA learning programs.
• Reports on programs, including numbers, participant feedback, observational notes on curriculum and program structures.
• Prepares resources and materials to deliver program activities as well as pack up, clean, organize and store resources and materials.
• Welcomes and greets visitors to the Museum and provides information and assistance where required.
• Contributes to research and writing of resources and interpretive materials.
• Conducts program and event evaluation with groups and participants through surveying and other methods.
• Corresponds with internal and external stakeholders to confirm and prepare requirements for tailored program sessions.
• Attends exhibition walkthroughs, meetings, and other training sessions as required.
• Supervises guests and participants in their care, protecting both guests and artworks.
• Performs any other duties reasonably related to the functions described above.

Requirements:          

• Undergraduate degree in art history, education, related field or equivalent; strong knowledge of modern and contemporary art.
• Ability to support guest insights into art history, artists material and conceptual processes, and artists research and art communities through facilitated discussion is essential.
• Familiar with a range of strategies and techniques to engage and facilitate observational, thematic, and project-based learning including: knowledge and understanding of stages of human development, ability to implement various learning theories, and teaching strategies, including VTS (visual teaching strategies), inquiry-based and dialogic teaching, and culturally responsive pedagogy.
• Ability and willingness to work both individually and as part of a team within the Education department to prepare resources and materials to deliver program activities.
• Familiarity with developing curriculum and instructional materials utilizing the concepts outlined in the position summary above.
• Excellent verbal communication skills and poise, including experience in mediating and facilitating conversations with individuals from different cultural backgrounds, age ranges, abilities, and attitudes.
• Adaptable with an ability to think on one’s feet and improvise as a form of problem solving.
• Flexibility to work a range of days and hours, including evenings and weekends.
• Proactive and independent attitude, ability to problem solve and adapt to a range of situations in the moment.
• Proficiency in languages, in addition to English, in particular, Spanish or Chinese (Mandarin or Cantonese), highly preferred.
• Experience with programming for specific groups such as students, college or school aged, older adults, culturally-specific groups, visitors with disabilities or specific needs, neurodiverse audiences, etc. also preferred.
• Fully vaccinated with a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and/or the World Health Organization authorized vaccine (or approved for an exemption as a reasonable accommodation due to a qualified disability or sincerely held religious belief or other legal basis).  

Note: This is a unionized position at MoMA with covered employees represented by Local 2110, UAW, AFL-CIO.

Reports to: Assistant Director, Learning and Engagement   

Salary: The salary for this position is $70,541 per annum.

Application instructions: Applicants should submit a resume and a statement of interest.

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Statement: Equal Employment Opportunity has been, and will continue to be, a fundamental principle at the Museum, where employment is based upon personal capabilities and qualifications without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, pregnancy, genetic information, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, marital and civil partnership/union status, alienage or citizenship status, creed, genetic predisposition or carrier status, unemployment status, familial status, domestic violence, sexual violence or stalking victim status, caregiver status, arrest or conviction record to the extent required by applicable law, credit history, or any other protected category as established by applicable law, including the New York City Human Rights Law (“NYCHRL”).

Application instructions: Applicants should submit a resume and a statement of interest via MoMA Jobs.