JOB TITLE: Manager of Interpretation

INSTITUTION: Buffalo AKG Art Museum

JOB LOCATION: Buffalo, New York 

INSTITUTION WEBSITE: https://buffaloakg.org/

About the Institution:

The Buffalo AKG Art Museum is the sixth oldest public art museum in the United States, and one of the oldest anywhere dedicated to collecting and exhibiting contemporary art. Incorporated in December 1862, the Buffalo AKG is an artist-centric organization, and home to a world-renowned collection of modern and contemporary art. As the only global art museum in Western New York, the Buffalo AKG is an anchor for civic, cultural, and creative energies and activities, and a destination for tourists from around the nation and the world. 

Following three and a half years of construction supported by a $230 million capital campaign, the Buffalo AKG’s long-awaited new campus opened to the public in June 2023. Over the past decade, the museum has experienced extraordinary growth, more than doubling its operating budget, operating endowment funds, and the size of its full-time staff

The Buffalo AKG is Western New York’s cultural beacon and a role model for museums across the United States. The museum’s new campus is a physical manifestation of its dedication to empowering people—staff, volunteers, and visitors—through the transformative power of art. The new campus’ design philosophy emerges from a deep and broad community-oriented commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity, and access. The Buffalo AKG’s Board of Directors, Senior Leadership, and Staff have together made a long-standing commitment to creating an art museum that not only welcomes people from all walks of life but also engenders a sense of belonging in all who work at and visit the museum. 

In the years ahead, Buffalo AKG aspires to expand its reputation as a leader in the field of modern and contemporary art museums. Dedicated to developing its collection and presenting an original suite of exhibitions and engaging and accessible programs, the museum also seeks to catalyze new partnerships with artists, patrons, and peer institutions nationally and internationally. Internally, the Buffalo AKG seeks to create a welcoming, equitable workplace where leaders, managers, and operators thrive. Good governance, pay equity, and diversity of staff across all departments will continue to be a priority for the museum in the years ahead. 

Job Description:

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Manager of Interpretation develops and guides the interpretive plan and materials for special exhibitions and the permanent collection to meaningfully engage audiences of all ages and levels of experience with art. Working in collaboration with the Director of Learning & Creativity and other museum staff, the Manager of Interpretation’s focus is on the walk-in visitor experience. To this end, they work to define departmental and institutional visitor experience and interpretation goals and develop methods by which these goals are achieved. 

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES:

INTERPRETIVE PLANNING:

• Leads the interpretive planning process, collaborating with colleagues from Curatorial, Publications & Digital Experience, Learning & Creativity, and other areas to develop interpretive plans for exhibitions, the permanent collection, and special initiatives.
• Researches and articulates visitors’ needs and best practices through experimentation, visitor research, prototyping, and field research to identify key issues, concepts, strategies, and tools that ensure relevance and visitor engagement.
• Develops and implements interpretive strategies ranging from traditional to experimental to convey key concepts and engage museum visitors of all ages and backgrounds.
• Works collaboratively with colleagues to ensure the visitor experience meets the varied levels and needs of museum audiences.
• Develops interpretive materials designed to support visitor outcomes for special exhibitions and the permanent collection.
• Manages the development and continuation of interpretive media, including audio guides, for special exhibitions and the permanent collection.
• Builds and maintains relationships with interpretation departments at other institutions and participates in relevant professional organizations.

• Analyzes and evaluates the impact and success of interpretive strategies and applies learning to new and existing strategies.
• Coordinates with the Director of Community Engagement to organize focus groups when deemed appropriate for special exhibition planning and translation strategy for the institution.

• Stays abreast of the latest research in art museum interpretation and visitor engagement.
• Prepares and oversees budgets for areas of responsibility.
• Additional duties as assigned by the Director of Learning & Creativity.

• Minimum 2-3 years' experience in a museum setting, including recent museum experience, involved in planning, development, and evaluation of interpretive and audience engagement materials.
• Bachelor’s degree in art history, museum education, social sciences, or related field required; master’s or terminal degree preferred. Must have demonstrated knowledge of modern and contemporary art history.

• Ability to create equitable, accessible, and inclusive processes, materials, and experiences that honor diverse experiences, identities, and narratives.
• Familiarity with modern and contemporary art.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with demonstrated ability to modulate style and tone for different audiences.
• Demonstrated understanding and practical application of critical issues in museum interpretation, visitor experience development, and the ways people of all ages learn, from infancy to adulthood.
• Ability to manage projects; to collaborate with teams to effectively achieve all project goals and stay within budget and timeline. Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously.
• Demonstrated ability to synthesize multiple elements and concepts into a consistent whole.
• Able to work independently and collaborate with diverse groups of people.
• Able to manage multiple priorities and to meet tight deadlines.
• Must be flexible and comfortable working in a team environment.

This Position is: In-Person

Position Type: Full-Time

Benefits: Health Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Paid time off, Contribution to Retirement Plan

How to Apply: https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=62a3d3a8-5c0c-4247-8ade-f863a274d7e3&ccId=19000101_000001&jobId=508648&lang=en_US&source=CC2

Job Closing Date: 9/25/2024