Museum Tour Guide

Set on a 46-acre estate in the heart of Lenox, Massachusetts, the Frelinghuysen Morris House & Studio is the modernist home and workspace of the artists George L.K. Morris (1905-1975) and Suzy Frelinghuysen (1911-1988), designed and built in the 1930's and 40's. The interior is decorated with wall frescoes, paintings, and sculpture by Frelinghuysen and Morris, furnishings by renowned modern designers, and the couple's personal collection of art, including works by Pablo Picasso, Juan Gris, Henri Matisse, and Georges Braque. The House & Studio receives over 2,000 visitors annually, welcoming adults, children, artists, curators, historians, and student and museum groups to enjoy public tours, art workshops and demonstrations, and lectures, along with traveling exhibitions and a feature-length documentary film. The property secured an Official Listing in the National Register of Historic Places in 2016.

As part of the tour guide staff, you will engage with visitors in lively discourse, provide exceptional customer service, protect the collection, and work as a valuable team member to continue our mission to preserve the House & Studio and collection of artists George L.K. Morris and Suzy Frelinghuysen in order to further the understanding of the language and history of abstract art in America.

DUTIES

• Engage visitors with perceptive information about the collection, contextual history, and architecture of the museum site through insightful presentation, guided tours, well-informed discussion, and hands-on art education.
• Provide exceptional customer service by welcoming all visitors, answering questions, providing a general orientation of the museum property, and informing them of special events and activities to ensure an enjoyable experience.
• Monitor the buildings and grounds of the museum to ensure the security of the art objects and the safety of the visitors and fellow staff members by alerting supervisors of any incidents or unsafe conditions, including inclement weather.
• Participate in all required training sessions that provide professional development, site-specific histories and content, interpretive engagement skills, business operations orientation, and museum best practices.
• Assist with visitor services and operations, including answering phones, gift shop and admission sales, educational activities, and special events.
• Conduct research and reading to construct thoughtful and interesting observations for site interpretation and guided tours to help visitors connect with the core mission of the organization.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Enthusiasm for and knowledge of art, architecture, and history are required.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Experience in public speaking or teaching, whether as an educator, tour guide, presenter, performer, or actor, is preferred. Experience at a museum or historic site is a plus.
• Able to engage effectively with diverse audiences, especially various age groups.
• Knowledge of basic technology and willingness to learn point-of-sale system for ticketing and gift shop sales.
• Ability, or willingness to learn, to drive a golf cart.
• Ability to work independently and solve problems in a changing work environment.
• Physical ability to stand for periods up to 2 hours, walk up and down sloping terrain, lift an object weighing up to 20 pounds, and climb a flight of stairs.
• Comfortable working outdoors in different weather conditions.

The Frelinghuysen Morris House and Studio is open to the public from June 19th to October 12th from Thursday to Sunday until Labor Day and Saturday and Sunday until Columbus Day from 10:00am to 4:00pm. Guide Staff employees will work from 9:30am to approximately 4:30pm for 1 to 4 days per week with an opportunity to fill in on any non-scheduled days.

Pay rate is $18.00 per hour

Guide Staff employees will receive paid training, gift shop discounts, and free admission for family and friends.

The Frelinghuysen Morris House & Studio is an equal opportunity organization and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, veteran status, or disability.

Job Types: Part-time, Seasonal

Pay: $18.00 per hour

Expected hours: 7 – 28 per week

Ability to Commute:

• Lenox, MA 01240 (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $18