Kress Interpretive Fellow

Job Title:  Kress Interpretive Fellow
Department:  Learning and Interpretation
Reports to:  Manager of Gallery Interpretation and Learning
FLSA Status:  Exempt
Employment Status:  Full-Time, Temporary
Duration: 1 year, beginning on or around September 01, 2022 through August 31, 2023

Please submit applications directly on the Toledo Museum of Art website http://www.toledomuseum.org/jobs.
Since our founding in 1901, the Toledo Museum of Art has earned a global reputation for the quality of our collection, our innovative and extensive education programs, and our architecturally significant campus.
And thanks to the benevolence of its founders, as well as the continued support of its members, TMA remains a privately endowed, non-profit institution and opens its collection to the public, free of charge.
SUMMARY
The Toledo Museum of Art (TMA) seeks an innovative, community- and diversity-minded, aspiring museum professional for a 12-month fellowship in interpretation, supported by a grant from the Samuel H. Kress Foundation. This opportunity will offer the Kress Interpretive Fellow a key role as part of an agile, dedicated cross-departmental team.

The Toledo Museum of Art is in the planning stages of a full reinstallation and reinterpretation of its world-class collections for the first time in 40 years. This undertaking is a key initiative of the Museum’s strategic plan objective to Broaden the Narrative of Art History, guided by its values of diversity, community, innovation, and trust. TMA aims to blend scholarship with equity and inclusion in paradigm-shifting ways to become the model museum in the country for its commitment to quality and culture of belonging. In support of this robust initiative and under the mentorship of the Manager of Gallery Interpretation and Learning, the Kress Interpretive Fellow will collaborate with staff in the Learning and Interpretation department, the Museum’s curators, and other key staff in the Collections and the Belonging and Engagement departments on three major projects, described below. The Fellowship will provide a range of practical, firsthand experiences in a dynamic, supportive environment to foster career development in museum interpretation.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

  • Collaborating with the Manager of Gallery Interpretation and Learning, curators, and the Manager of Access Initiatives,  researches and drafts a living document that will act as a style guide, glossary, and framework for the use of inclusive and culturally sensitive language and topics for interpretive content. This will be developed in conjunction with conducting an audit of current gallery labels and other interpretive content for TMA’s collection of European and American art pre-1900 for language or framing that centers dominant culture narratives (approximately 40% of time).
  • Working with the Curator of American Art, the Manager of Gallery Interpretation and Learning, and other key staff in the Learning and Interpretation, Collections, and Belonging and Engagement departments, partners in the development and implementation of innovative and inclusive interpretive content for a pilot reinstallation based around the American collection that will model ideas and strong inter-departmental collaborative work processes for the full Museum collection reinstallation (approximately 40% of time).
  • Under the supervision of the Manager of Gallery Interpretation and Learning and the School and Docent Programs Manager, research and prepare interpretive resources for selected works from the collection to be provided to participants in the Museum’s 2023 National Endowment for the Humanities Summer Institute for K–12 Educators, “Diverse Historical and Cultural Perspectives in Native American and African American Art” (approximately 10% of time).
  • Additionally, will have the opportunity to participate in the planning of TMA’s comprehensive interpretation strategy with a team led by the Manager of Gallery Interpretation and Learning and other projects involving the development of interpretive content, including for the exhibitions Black Orpheus: Jacob Lawrence and the Mbari Club and Beth Lipman: ReGift, which may include digital, video, and audio components.
  • May be involved in training the volunteer Docent corps, planning programs, working with community groups and advisory boards, presenting lectures, gallery talks, and tours to the public, and visitor evaluation.
  • Supports the implementation of the Museum’s Strategic Plan.
  • Performs other duties as needed or assigned.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
  • B.A. in art history or a related discipline, such as art education, museum studies, or history required; M.A. preferred.
  • Previous experience working in a museum environment is desirable.
SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE, COMPETENCIES, AND ABILITIES
  • Knowledge of American or European art or culture pre-1900 preferred.
  • Strong project management and analysis aptitudes.
  • Superior collaboration and communications skills, both written and oral.
  • Able to manage and prioritize multiple simultaneous projects and deadlines.
  • Demonstrated interest in key issues affecting the museum field.
  • Meticulous attention to detail and highly developed organizational skills.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
  • Experience with collections databases, preferably The Museum System (TMS), is a plus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Standard open office work environment shared with co-workers, with related phone, computer, and printer noise. Position requires ability to operate a computer and other office productivity machinery and audio/visual equipment such as a copy machine, printer and phone and sound systems. Occasional evenings, weekends, and overnight travel expected.
BENEFITS
  • Additional funds and/or support provided for travel, research, association memberships, etc.
  • 25 Days of Paid Time Off Annually
  • 6 Paid Holidays Annually
  • 2 Floating Holidays Annually
  • 3 Paid Volunteer Days Annually
  • Birthday Paid Time Off Annually
  • Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance
  • 403b Retirement Savings Plan
  • Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, Term Life and AD&D Insurance Plans
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Pet Insurance
  • Employee Assistance Plan
  • Museum Family Membership
  • Employee Discounts in the Museum Store, Café, Studio Art Classes, & more!
The Toledo Museum of Art provides equal opportunity for employment and promotion to all qualified employees and applicants. No person shall be discriminated against in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other status or condition protected by applicable federal or state statutes. The Museum is committed to maintaining an environment in which all employees are treated equitably and given the opportunity to achieve their full potential in the workplace. If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings or apply for a job on this site as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by contacting Human Resources at [email protected] or (567)-666-0387.