What are the responsibilities and job description for the Interpretation Associate position at The Nelson Gallery Foundation?
Where the Power of Art Engages the Spirit of Community
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art invites all people to explore the art in its care, and through its vast collections, the depths, and complexities of human experiences.
We strive to create a sense of belonging, where staff and volunteers can do meaningful work connecting people to art. We create an informed, invested group of staff and volunteers through shared values and open, direct, and respectful communication. We embrace IDEAS (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Access, and Sustainability) in every aspect of our ideals and aspirations, as we believe these values to be paramount to success.
Each staff member and volunteer will embody the institution’s commitments and agrees to exhibit behaviors that align with them. We hold one another to these expectations so that, together, we may know, own, energize and sustain our culture and the institution for generations to come.
Interpretation Associate
Location: Kansas City, MO
Application Requirements:
Applicants must include a writing sample of 250 words or less. The sample can be a museum label, an artwork or object description, an audio tour stop, or similar writing. Examples from past work experience are preferred, but you may create a new sample specifically for this application. Please note that applications without a writing sample may not be considered.
JOB PURPOSE: The Interpretation Associate develops diverse, equitable, accessible, and inclusive interpretive materials and experiences for the museum’s collections and exhibitions. The position collaborates with curators, designers, technology staff, and others to create analog and digital tools that spark curiosity and creativity, connect people and communities, and illuminate the myriad ways that art expresses human experiences. The Associate researches and develops written, audio, video, and other types of content for a wide range of platforms, from gallery texts and audio experiences, to digital platforms. They partner with evaluators to understand the impact of exhibitions and interpretation on audiences and communicate findings.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES/ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Interpretation Development: Collaborates with curators, designers, and other core team members to develop and execute exhibitions, rotations, and reinstallations. Produces interpretive plans that articulate the exhibition big idea, key messages, and visitor outcomes. Utilizes visitor research and experience mapping to develop plans that engage target audiences.
- Interpretation Design and Production: Ideates, prototypes, creates, and implements engaging interpretive materials and experiences including texts, videos, audio and mobile content, response stations, participatory learning spaces, website content, and digital interactives. Aligns interpretation elements with interpretive plans to achieve visitor outcomes.
- Research and Content Development: Researches works of art, art history, and related fields to shape exhibition and interpretation development. Develops, edits, and proofs object and other exhibition texts to be accessible, inclusive, and engaging to a diverse public audience. Develops content for audio guides, videos, and digital interactives.
- Collaboration: Collaborates with staff across the museum to ensure successful exhibitions. Works closely with marketing on web copy, visual design, and digital production. Partners with other learning and engagement staff on other programs and resources. Collaborates with evaluation and audience research team members to analyze the impact of exhibition and interpretive strategies and apply learning to future projects. Assists development team with grant writing and reporting.
- Project Management and Administration: Creates and tracks project management documents to ensure that projects achieve desired goals on time and on budget. Performs administrative tasks related to individual or departmental projects including but not limited to tracking department statistics, processing check requests, submitting fabrication and design requests, and representing the department at recurring meetings.
- Other: All other duties as assigned and in general support of the department, division and/or museum.
CORE CAPABILITY REQUIREMENTS
Education/
Experience
- Bachelor’s Degree in Art, Museums, Social Sciences, the Humanities, related field or equivalent work experience. Master’s Degree preferred.
- Two years full-time experience in visual arts, education, writing/editing, and/or project management or commensurate experience. Additional experience working at an art museum preferred.
- Awareness of current educational and museum best practices.
- Awareness of research literature in museum/visitor studies, informal education, social sciences, or other fields applicable to experiences in a museum.
- Awareness of current and emerging digital technologies and application in a museum setting preferred.
Core Capabilities
- Communication Skills: Ability to interact professionally with all levels of internal staff and with external stakeholders. Strong interpersonal communication skills; diplomatic and collaborative work style.
- Writing Skills: Ability to write about art in an accessible, engaging way for multiple platforms and diverse audiences. Strong editing skills and attention to detail.
- Community Building: Ability to nurture and develop strong relationships with diverse external constituents and partners. Strong understanding of community assets, resources, and interests.
- Creativity: Ability to produce original and effective ideas and solutions.
- Collaboration and Teamwork: Ability to work effectively with interdisciplinary teams and nurture a culture of learning.
- Project Management: Ability to collaborate with teams and manage multiple aspects of a project to effectively achieve all project goals and stay within scope of budget and timeline. Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously.
- IDEAS: Ability to create equitable, accessible, and inclusive processes, materials, and experiences that honor diverse experiences, identities, and narratives.
POSITION SPECIFICATIONS
Job Family
Interpretation
Salary Grade
Grade 5
$46,762 - $52,653 per year
FLSA Classification
Salary Nonexempt
Work Schedule
Travel Expectations
Monday to Friday workweek.
0 to 5%
Working Conditions/Physical Requirements
Working conditions are typically that of an office environment. Works primarily at a desk, uses a PC/ Perform with frequent interruptions and/or distractions. The ability to attend on-site meetings/events within the museum and museum properties. Perform effectively under conditions of fluctuating workload.
Application Requirements:
Applicants must include a writing sample of 250 words or less. The sample can be a museum label, an artwork or object description, an audio tour stop, or similar writing. Examples from past work experience are preferred, but you may create a new sample specifically for this application. Please note that applications without a writing sample may not be considered.
Non-Discrimination
The Nelson-Atkins is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ applicants.
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art does not discriminate based on race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided based on qualifications, merit, and business need. For individuals with disabilities who would like to request an accommodation, please contact the People & Culture Department.
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art conducts pre-employment background checks as part of our selection process.
Salary information is a general guideline only. The Museum considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as market and business considerations when extending an offer.
Salary : $46,762 - $52,653
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