Assistant Director of Learning & Engagement

Position: Assistant Director of Learning & Engagement

Reports to: Director and Curator of Learning & Engagement

Direct Reports: 1 Teaching Artist Lead, 3 On-Call Teaching Artists

Division: Learning & Engagement

FLSA Status: Full Time, Salaried, Exempt

Salary Range: $78,000-85,000 annually

Work Hours: Monday – Friday, 35 hours per week at 90% FTE

Hybrid Option: 3 days per week on-site (including Tuesdays and Thursdays) with the option for 2 days per week remote. Occasional weekend and evening work at events is required.

Position Summary

The Frye Art Museum seeks an Assistant Director of Learning and Engagement (“Assistant Director”) to lead the design and implementation of Inclusive Learning Programs that engage K-12 students, educators, families, and intergenerational groups, while supporting the broader goals of the Learning & Engagement Division. Centering the museum’s collection and exhibitions, the Assistant Director will oversee dynamic, inquiry- and object-based learning experiences that activate the museum’s galleries and art studio.

The Assistant Director will play a vital role in fostering a welcoming and inclusive visitor-centered experience by strengthening existing programs and developing new initiatives that expand the museum’s impact. This includes enhancing and expanding legacy programs such as Field Trip to the Frye, Small Frye, and Educator Workshops while also increasing access for underserved schools, families, and intergenerational groups. Additionally, the Assistant Director will reimagine the Gallery Guide program and establish a museum-wide internship initiative in collaboration with the Director and Curator of Learning & Engagement.

Proficient in both the strategic and operational aspects of learning programs, the Assistant Director will manage a team, oversee curriculum design, ensure thoughtful planning, and contribute to an environment that fosters inclusive (designed for a variety of levels of experience with art and artmaking), culturally-responsive (reflective of and relevant to diverse cultural backgrounds and perspectives), and impactful (creating meaningful and lasting engagement) learning experiences.

Building strong relationships with teaching artists, educators, schools, and community groups, the Assistant Director will lead the recruitment and training of teaching artists, contract educators, and gallery guides, ensuring high-quality program delivery and meaningful community engagement that reflects what the Frye is uniquely positioned to offer.

About Frye Art Museum

Founded in 1952, the Frye is Seattle’s only free art museum, bringing together art and new ideas within a stunning Olson Sundberg Kundig-designed building in historic First Hill. A foundation collection of turn-of-the-century oil paintings is bolstered by a wide range of modern and contemporary art holdings, reflecting our region’s evolving identity and a commitment to exploring the art of our time. Learn more at fryemuseum.org.

Mission

The Frye Art Museum connects Seattle with the art and artists of our time. We collect, exhibit, program, and build community around a wide range of modern and contemporary art, with a special focus on amplifying the voices of living artists.

Vision

Inspired by the history of our namesakes, the spirit of their salon, and the global city they called home, the Frye Art Museum of today is where Seattle:

• Meets Artists.
• Encounters New Ideas.
• Experiments with Tradition.
• Indulges the Senses.
• Learns through Experience.
• Gathers In Community.
• Feels Cherished.

About Learning & Engagement at the Frye

The Learning & Engagement team at the Frye Art Museum creates dynamic and reciprocal programs that connect artists, students, teachers, and community members. We bring people together to learn through experience – connecting art, inquiry, and wellbeing.

Our programs engage people of all ages through in-gallery discussions, hands-on artmaking, artist talks, panel discussions, and interdisciplinary performances. We are committed to advancing accessibility, intergenerational exchange, and lifelong learning across the museum.

The division encompasses four program areas: Creative Aging, Inclusive Learning, Public Programs, and Visitor Services. Together, we collaborate across exhibitions and programs to place learning and engagement at the heart of a cohesive visitor-centered experience.

Key Responsibilities

Program Strategy (40%)

• Contribute to the vision and strategy of the Learning & Engagement division.
• Develop a comprehensive strategy for learning programs, incorporating access-centered and revenue-generating components, in collaboration with the Director and Curator of Learning & Engagement (“Director”).
• Lead the development of visitor-centered learning models and inclusive pedagogies that incorporate accessible teaching strategies and adaptable lesson plans, tailored to diverse ages, abilities, and levels of experience with art and artmaking. Provide guidance to the Director on potential museum-wide applications. 
• Oversee the development of a multi-year slate of inclusive and cross-disciplinary learning programs, including curriculum for K-12 students, families, intergenerational community groups, and educators, with support from the Teaching Artist Lead (“Lead”).
• Manage the Teaching Artist Lead. With the Lead, hire, train, and oversee part time teaching artists and contract educators, coordinating with Associate Director of Creative Aging Programs when relevant.
• Enhance and expand legacy programs, including Field Trip to the Frye, Small Frye, and Educator Workshops, and build new initiatives that increase access for underserved schools, families, and intergenerational groups. 
• Reimagine the Gallery Guide program and establish a museum-wide internship initiative, in collaboration with the Director.  
• Oversee the development of curricular and experience-enhancing resources that provide accessible entry points to the Frye collection and exhibitions, engaging current audiences and broadening awareness among new and underserved audiences.  
• Oversee onsite educator workshops that highlight curricular connections between the museum’s collections and exhibitions and the classroom, meeting with educators to discuss goals and needs. 
• Build and maintain relationships with artists, educators, schools, districts, community partners, and cultural institutions to foster collaborations that expand access to museum resources.
• Assist in designing and delivering educational content and teaching strategies for adult programs, in collaboration with the Associate Director of Creative Aging Programs and Public Programs Manager.
• Evaluate and refine current outreach initiatives; engage with underserved communities to build awareness of the museum’s learning programs and invite input to inform future programming possibilities.
• Ensure effective promotion of Learning and Engagement programs, in collaboration with the Communications team.
• Share information across the organization and collaborate to support initiatives and practices that foster a welcoming environment and ensure a positive museum experience for diverse audiences.
• Contribute to a positive organizational culture based on mutual respect, collegiality, cooperation, and openness to many perspectives.

Program Facilitation (40%) 

• Lead and oversee inclusive learning programs that engage diverse audiences, including school groups, families, adults, and community organizations.
• Oversee the day-to-day operations of inclusive and culturally responsive learning programs, including artwork discussions, art-making classes, professional development workshops, and community events that enable children and lifelong learners to see themselves reflected in Frye programs and exhibitions.
• Train, supervise, and evaluate Teaching Artists and Gallery Guides.
• Oversee the art studio use and organization, development of learning program titles and descriptions, program timelines, and interface with various museum departments for successful program implementation, in collaboration with the Teaching Artist Lead.
• Serve as the primary contact for Inclusive Learning Program presenters, in coordination with the Lead.
• Oversee staffing of all Inclusive Learning programs, with program responsibilities by Teaching Artists, on-site registration support from the Visitor Services Lead, and volunteer support from the Executive Administration Specialist.
• Track program attendance, documentation, and feedback, with support from the Lead and Learning & Engagement Coordinator.

Program Administration (20%) 

• Develop and manage the Inclusive Learning program budget.
• Oversee program timelines, layouts, checklists, and logistics – including payment, bus reimbursement, travel, and facilities – to ensure program success, collaborating with the Learning & Engagement Coordinator and Teaching Artist Lead.
• Coordinate the entry of Inclusive Learning program details into museum calendars, databases, and project management tools, with support from the Learning & Engagement Coordinator.
• Assist with publishing learning program content and promoting events online, in coordination with the Communications team. 
• Oversee and create new content for the Frye website, blog, and quarterly newsletter, in coordination with the Communications team.
• Design, implement, and analyze program evaluations including post-program surveys to identify areas for improvement, in coordination with the Director.
• Prepare presentations and reports for the Director, including content for board updates and other cross-departmental projects.
• Stay informed about and share best practices in museum learning and engagement, visitor-centered models, and contemporary art and culture. Track local and national resources for ongoing learning.
• Participate in weekly Teaching Artist Cohort and Learning & Engagement team meetings.
• Support other Learning & Engagement programs and initiatives as needed.
• Assist with proposal design and grant writing as needed.

Desired Qualifications, Knowledge, and Skills

• Commitment to supporting diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging, with a demonstrated motivation to develop accessible programs and work with diverse audiences.
• Strong track record of designing creative programs, connecting with audiences, and assessing impact in cultural or museum settings.
• Expertise interpreting modern and contemporary art collections and exhibitions to convey their significance to diverse audiences, generate excitement, and achieve learning goals.
• Experience working directly with artists, educators, community partners, and stakeholders to build effective working relationships.
• Experience with diverse teaching methods, integrating state and/or national standards into arts curricula, and hands-on learning projects.
• Ability to instruct on and model art techniques across a broad range of art materials and practices, with experience developing and leading hands-on lessons for diverse abilities.
• Strong management and administrative skills, with the ability to prioritize and multitask across multiple projects independently and collaboratively.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including strong presentation abilities and the capacity to represent the museum with professionalism and enthusiasm.
• Demonstrated creativity, curiosity, collaboration, and a strong work ethic.
• Demonstrated positivity, flexibility, and ability to manage deadline-driven work with humor, focus, and friendliness.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
• Fluency in English; proficiency in ASL and/or additional languages is a plus. 

Required Education/Experience

• 4 years of experience coordinating, developing, and producing learning and engagement programs in museums, arts and cultural organizations, or similar settings through inquiry- and object-based teaching methodologies.
• 2 years of experience managing and mentoring staff, including emerging and experienced educators, teaching artists and gallery guides.
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite, Zoom, and database systems.

Benefits

• 35-hour work week
• Hybrid Option: 3 days onsite (including Tuesday and Thursdays) and 2 days remote
• Full health benefits: Dental, Vision, Medical (100% employer paid option)  
• Paid vacation and sick time accrual after 90 days of employment
• Transportation and Commuter benefits
• 403b savings plan with 1.5% employer match  
• Employee assistance program  
• 20% Museum store discount
• 15% Cafe discount 
• Reciprocal museum membership 

How to Apply

Submit a resume that outlines relevant experience and a cover letter. Applications received by May 4, 2025, will be given priority consideration.

In the cover letter, please address the following questions:

• What draws you to the Frye Art Museum and the work of the Learning & Engagement division?
• Tell us about your teaching experience – whether in a classroom, gallery, and/or studio setting. What philosophies or approaches guide your practice?
• How do you approach managing and mentoring others, particularly teaching artists and those who support learning experiences?

We strongly encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, especially those who bring diverse perspectives that will continue to contribute to the inclusive and equitable culture we are fostering at the Frye Art Museum. We value diversity in all forms and believe that diverse experiences, voices, and perspectives enrich our work and community.

The position is open until filled. Please do not send emails or make phone calls. Due to the high volume of applications received, we can only contact candidates whose skills and backgrounds best fit the needs of the open positions. We will contact you by email or phone to arrange a phone interview. 

On-site interviews for finalists are planned for May 28-30 and June 5-6, 2025. We encourage applicants to hold these dates.

Work Conditions

Work areas are inside, in a climate-controlled environment with light background noise. Work is occasionally performed at other indoor and outdoor event sites. Shift times may vary to meet the museum's requirement to staff the facilities and events. Work may require weekend and evening hours and extended periods of attendance at museum events. 

Physical Conditions Required to Perform Essential Functions

Ability to converse and exchange information for effective communication. 

Remaining in a stationary location, standing or sitting, and occasionally moving through the museum, which is wheelchair accessible.

Regular operation of computer systems and other office equipment such as phones and printers.

Capacity to stay on-site for extended durations during museum programs and events. 

As much as possible, the Frye Art Museum will accommodate applicants with disabilities to perform essential functions and duties. Please contact the Human Resources Department (jobs@fryemuseum.org) for additional information. 

COVID-19 Considerations

Note that all employees are asked to adhere to museum guidance and policy for COVID-19, which may change over time. 

EEOC Statement

We recognize that a successful candidate will meet many of the requirements in this job description but may only meet some of the qualifications. We encourage applicants to apply if much of this job description describes them.

As part of our commitment to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace, we invest in building teams with various backgrounds, identities, and experiences. The Frye is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, sex, religion, age, marital or veteran status, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, or any other basis prohibited by local, state, or federal law.

Salary : $78,000 - $85,000