The Walker Art Center empowers people to experience the transformative possibilities of the art and ideas of our time and to imagine the world in new ways. In our over 125-year history, we have become one of the most celebrated art museums in the country and we are known for our innovative presentations and acclaimed collections of contemporary art across the spectrum of the visual, performing, and media arts.

The Lead Educator position supports various facets of learning programs at the Walker, including tours and workshops, teacher events, public programs, offsite programming, and the development of lesson plans, art-making activities, and tour strategies for audiences of all ages. The Lead Educator provides guidance to other members of the Educator team through trainings, tour evaluation, and modeling best-practices in gallery teaching and program facilitation. Additionally, Lead Educators support the Manager of School and Gallery Programs with coordination and outreach for programs and partnerships with schools, universities, and organizations bringing groups to the Walker for a guided experience. Training on Walker Art Center exhibitions and pedagogical approach will be provided.

 All Walker Educators provide a welcoming and flexible approach to engaging a diverse range of visitors and guests with the programming and content of the museum through tours, workshops, and other learning events. The Walker serves culturally and linguistically diverse families and individuals. All Walker Educators are required to work both as individuals and as a team with the PELI department to prepare resources and materials and to deliver program activities that shape people’s understanding of art with a focus on learner-centered, inquiry-based methods. 

WHAT YOU GET TO DO 

Program Delivery          

• Deliver facilitated explorations of art in the Walker galleries, Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, and offsite or via video conference for audiences of all ages (K-12 through adult) with a focus on maximizing learning outcomes.
• Prepare resources and materials to teach and deliver program activities as well as pack up, clean, organize, and store resources and materials.

• Deliver hands-on studio sessions, workshops, and other activities in the Walker’s Art Lab for audiences of all ages and abilities.
• Conduct program and event evaluation with groups and participants through surveying and other methods.
• Contribute to research and writing of interpretive materials, including education resources and activities.
• Welcome and greet visitors to the museum and provide information and assistance where required.
• Attend and help facilitate PELI and Walker events including Evenings for Educators, professional development sessions for teachers, Teen Takeover, Free First Saturday, Sensory Friendly Sunday, public programs, accessibility programs for people with disabilities, programs for members and donors, and offsite events with community partners.
• Perform other duties and tasks as assigned including intra-departmental program support for other areas of PELI.
• Brainstorm and outline plans for art-making and self-guided activities in consultation with PELI staff.
• Conduct research on artists and artworks represented in Walker exhibitions and prepare artist/artwork files for Educators to use when tour planning.
• Develop inquiry-based tours for visitors of all ages and abilities that highlight current exhibitions and installations.
• Assist the Manager of School and Gallery Programs with outreach and coordination of programming that engages and grows K-12, college, and adult audiences.
• Other curriculum and lesson development as needed.
• Attend exhibition trainings, monthly Educator meetings, and other training sessions as required.
• Research and become familiar with the exhibitions on view at the Walker. Assist in the training and mentoring of other members of the Educator team. 

• Report on programs including numbers, participant feedback, observational notes on curriculum, and program structures.

Lesson, Tour, and Program Development

• Brainstorm and outline plans for art-making and self-guided activities in consultation with PELI staff.
• Conduct research on artists and artworks represented in Walker exhibitions and prepare artist/artwork files for Educators to use when tour planning.
• Develop inquiry-based tours for visitors of all ages and abilities that highlight current exhibitions and installations.
• Assist the Manager of School and Gallery Programs with outreach and coordination of programming that engages and grows K-12, college, and adult audiences.
• Other curriculum and lesson development as needed. 

Training and Continuing Education

• Attend exhibition trainings, monthly Educator meetings, and other training sessions as required.
• Research and become familiar with the exhibitions on view at the Walker. Assist in the training and mentoring of other members of the Educator team. 

WHAT WE NEED IN YOU 

Minimum Requirements

• 3+ years of experience working with children and/or in an educational setting.
• Experience developing lesson plans, studio workshops, or other types of curriculum for K-12 students and/or families.
• Proven ability to welcome, encourage, and engage with people of all ages, abilities, attitudes, and cultural backgrounds.
• Familiarity with art materials and art-making techniques.
• Strong interest in contemporary arts and culture.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Proactive and independent, with an ability to problem solve and adapt to a range of situations in the moment.
• Flexibility to work a range of days and hours as required by programming, including evenings and weekends is required.

Preferred Skills:

• Fluency in language other than English with preference for Somali, Spanish, Hmong, and/or American Sign Language.
• Education in education, fine arts, design or architecture, art history, art education, media arts, or social studies.
• Experience applying universal design for learning and culturally-competent teaching techniques to the development and facilitation of learning experiences.
• Experience working with people with specific needs including physical and/or intellectual disabilities and/or autism and/or dementia. 
•  Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop and/or InDesign.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS   

• Must be able to stand for long periods of time.
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk using a computer.
• Ability to traverse the Walker campus to facilitate tours and programs.
• Ability to direct and assist with setup of programs, moving up to 15lbs on occasion.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS This position is considered full-time (35 hours per week), exempt. As an exempt position, it is not eligible for overtime pay. The compensation for this role is $48,934.01 annually. The Walker offers a wide range of benefits for both part-time and full-time employees.

This position is covered by the American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME) labor contract.

This position is not eligible for relocation assistance.

All applicants must be eligible to work in the United States without the need for employer sponsorship. 

Vaccination Expectation The Walker Art Center’s COVID vaccination policy requires staff to be fully vaccinated or to supply a negative test every 6 days. We will consider requests for reasonable accommodations based on disability or sincerely held religious beliefs

Walker’s DEI commitment The Walker is committed to being an employer with a staff who, at all job levels, reflects the rich diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We are dedicated to ensuring inclusion and equity in all our employment practices. We deeply value and welcome all the unique lived experiences in our applicants and encourage anyone meeting the minimum requirements to apply.

Recruitment Timeline All positions are open until filled.