Port Discovery Children’s Museum, one of the top Children’s Museum in the United States and a top cultural institution in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, is seeking a creative educator and leader to be our Visual Arts Manager. The mission of Port Discovery is to connect purposeful play with learning. If our mission resonates with you, and you have a visuals arts education background as well as enjoy the joy and wonder of children as they learn, then we welcome you to apply!

Position Summary:

As a member of the Education Department, the Visual Arts Manager works to conceptualize, create, and oversee a comprehensive overall visual arts environment within the museum that engages and excites our visitors. This includes oversight of Studio Workshop activities and operations, as well as integrating visual arts into our museum public programs and events, school and group programs, multigenerational programs, and our overall exhibit environment. This position reports to the Vice President, Education and Innovation, and oversees a Visual Arts Associate.

In addition to leading and facilitating visual arts activities and events implemented in the Museum’s Studio and overseeing the role of the Visual Arts Specialist, the Visual Arts Manager also works collaboratively across Museum departments to ensure the infusion of the visual arts throughout the museum environment. The Visual Arts Manager also develops and sustains community partnerships visiting artist relationships that may be leveraged to meet the museum’s visual arts vision and goals.

We are looking for a dynamic and passionate arts educator and leader! We welcome professionals with experience in any medium within the spectrum of the visual arts. Port Discovery offers a flexible and exciting experiential environment to push the limits of your own vision and creativity.

The Workweek for this position is currently Wednesday through Sunday but is subject to change. Scheduled work hours will be adjusted according to department/museum needs. Participation in special events, evenings, weekends, and holidays will be necessary. We are open to candidates interested in either part-time or full-time schedules. Please be prepared to respond with your interest when applying.

• Part-Time: Up to 29 weekly hours, Wednesday to Sunday
• Full-Time: 40 weekly hours, Wednesday to Sunday

The hourly pay range for this position is $21 - $23.50, based on experience.

Education and/ or Experience Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Art, Arts Education, or a related field required.
• Minimum of 3 - 5 years of experience working in developing and delivering visual arts programming and activities, preferably with children and families, required.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience working in public programming, preferably with children and families, required.
• Minimum of 1 year of supervisory or team lead experience, with a proven ability to hire, motivate and delegate work to direct reports.
• Must have interest in working closely with children, parents and caregivers, educators, and museum staff in developing and delivering an exceptional museum experience.
• Strong presentation, organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills, required.
• Independent problem solving and decision-making skills are necessary for success.
• Experience in program evaluation is a plus.
• Museum experience is a plus.

Responsibilities & Duties (Not Exhaustive):

• Researches, creates, implements, and evaluates innovative educational visual arts activities, programs, and events for young children (birth through age 10) and their families that support Port Discovery’s commitment to offer innovative, interactive, playful and engaging learning experiences. Works closely with all other museum departments to create a cohesive team effort and exemplary museum experience.
• Provides programmatic oversight of Studio Workshop exhibit, including program design, planning, and implementation, as well as management, and oversight of the Studio experience.
• In coordination with museum leaders and managers, plans, coordinates, and engages in purchasing, set-up, restock, and maintenance of the visual arts program equipment, materials, and activity areas, including the Studio art room exhibit.
• Trains, mentors, and supports museum staff on visual arts programs and techniques, from concept development to implementation through group trainings, individual trainings, modeling, coaching, and collaboration to ensure a show quality implementation and an exceptional museum experience.
• Keeps up-to-date on recent developments in the fields of early childhood, Pre K-12 arts education, arts education, and children’s museums.

Port Discovery provides you with the opportunity to make a difference in the community and in the lives of children. Additional benefits include:

• Convenient location next to a subway stop, or we offer free parking,
• Free admission to the Museum for family,
• Earned time off for sick leave, and
• Retirement savings with Museum match after 6 months.
• Additional benefits if working full-time.

Physical Demands & Work Environment:

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud. This position operates partially in a back-office environment and partially with our front-line guests, managing the museum’s Studio Workshop. This role also routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines. When facilitating educational programs, the employee must be comfortable working amongst large crowds of children and families. The employee must be able to meet deadlines within time constraints. Evening, weekend and some holiday work will be required.

If you are interested and feel you are qualified for this position, then please submit your resume and cover letter.

To learn more about Port Discovery Children’s Museum, visit https://www.portdiscovery.org/. Port Discovery is an Equal Opportunity Employer.