Current Opportunities

SUMMARY

The McPherson Director for Academic Programs (ACP) leads and directs MAG’s engagement with all area educators and students, including UR’s community of faculty, staff, undergraduate, and graduate students. The McPherson Director is responsible for positively impacting Pre K–12 and area college/university curricula by ensuring that their department is working with area teachers and faculty to integrate MAG assets into classroom dialogue and into related museum visits. The McPherson Director is responsible for developing relationships with community contacts in public schools, colleges, universities, and with other community partners such as cultural and service organizations that help build MAG's opportunities to serve these populations. Their priorities are determined by MAG’s Strategic Plan and its ongoing, institution-wide effort to strengthen long-term sustainability. Identifying and stewarding financial support as well as creating revenue streams are critical components of this effort. Under the present Strategic Plan (2020–2025), the priorities of ACP are the following:

• Cultivate new and existing audiences by using art and programming to engage High Propensity Visitors and to deliver experiences that are fun, captivate guests, and inspire them to return.
• Expand MAG’s elementary school outreach and academic programs by collaborating or partnering with other Rochester cultural and educational organizations to support the Rochester-Monroe County Anti-Poverty Initiative (RMAPI). Build on the success of the RCSD Expanded Learning Collaboration (ELC).

The McPherson Director for Academic Programs is a member of the MAG Director’s Senior Team and reports to and supports the MAG Director in their efforts to set and advance MAG’s mission. This individual is a model voice within MAG and is responsible for leading the MAG community and working collaboratively with colleagues in all related MAG and UR departments, as well as with schools in general. They are accountable for budget projections for all MAG academic programs, managing the department’s budget, directing the staff in the department, and for collecting and evaluating visitor-feedback data in the ongoing effort to improve and customize content and services delivered.

The McPherson Director is an object and content expert with excellent communication skills who has demonstrated ability to convey complex aesthetic, historical, and philosophical ideas and approaches across a broad range of academic and non-academic constituencies. They understand and can navigate various academic hierarchies and constituencies, and work toward positive collaborative outcomes for all. They have a functional knowledge of all the work of the department, with expertise in one of the two following areas: elementary or college/university education.

35%  PRE K-16 AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT
• Oversees and directs the Academic Programs department as needed to manage current and future initiatives with Pre K–16 audiences, including the Expanded Learning Collaboration program (ELC). The Director of Academic Programs leads the team in measuring and evaluating the program results to consistently improve the offerings and strengthen the program.

35%  EXHIBITIONS AND COLLECTION PROGRAMMING
• Oversees and directs Academic Programs as needed to assist the Curatorial Department and any consulting curators as an education partner on permanent collection installations and special or temporary exhibitions; contributes expertise on art historical matters and in-gallery didactics, and is a reference and voice for audience advocacy (diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility) for exhibitions and in all areas of the collection.

10% ADVANCEMENT AND STEWARDSHIP
• Collaborates with MAG’s Advancement Department to write and manage grants to underwrite MAG’s PreK–12 School Program, MAG’s ELC program, and MAG’s University-related educational programs. Participates in and leads when appropriate efforts to cultivate potential corporate and individual donors as well as stewardship of existing donors to fund and advance the department.

20%  UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER AUDIENCES
• Oversees MAG’s engagement with the Writing, Speaking, and Argument Program (WSAP) in UR’s College of Arts, Sciences and Engineering. The McPherson Director ensures or directs their staff/volunteers to ensure that appropriate and relevant content is delivered; that MAG visits are organized (reserving classroom space at MAG; managing and overseeing student transportation and art movement when appropriate; offering every WSAP section leader the opportunity to engage meaningfully with MAG resources, etc.)

• Ensures that Academic Programs works with UR departments to promote the positive impact of MAG temporary exhibitions, permanent collection installations, and programs on UR curricula, campuses, and among the UR community; and supports new opportunities for engagement with UR.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Museum Studies, Education, Art History or related field of Education, and 3-5 years museum experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience working directly with art objects and students. Excellent organizational, writing, communication, and public speaking skills. Demonstrated administrative ability.

Contact:

Sonia Lozada-Rivera
Human Resources Associate
Memorial Art Gallery of University of Rochester
500 University Avenue
Rochester NY 14607
585-276-8919
slozadarivera@mag.rochester.edu