CURATOR OF EDUCATION
Download a pdf of the job description
The Seal Cove Auto Museum has an opening for a Curator of Education. This is a full-time, year-round position that reports to the Executive Director and works in close partnership with the staff, volunteers, and Board of the Seal Cove Auto Museum. This highly public position will lead the development and evaluation of adult and children’s education programs at the Museum and off-site; design and install hands-on interactives that allow visitors better engagement with the mission of the Museum and special exhibits; work with the Executive Director to rotate curation of special and satellite exhibits; as well as promote the collection and its history at events, programs, and car shows.
The Seal Cove Auto Museum nurtures a close team environment focused on mutual respect, support, and honesty. We foster a fun work environment where visitor experience is valued as a priority. Staff are empowered to work independently while seeking help and support as needed, focused on problem- solving and solutions.
Responsibilities Include:
- Develop educational programs and materials in partnership with regional schools, technical school, and adult education programs that can be offered at the Museum and in Maine classrooms. Programs would focus on science and technology, design, hands-on learning, innovation, and topics related to special exhibits and themes at the Museum.
- Develop classroom materials to support education programs
- Work with summer camps to create fun, interactive programs
- Research, document, and interpret the collection for special programs and lectures, exhibits, and articles for publications
- Create programs, online resources, and satellite exhibits sharing research and findings with the public
- Design and write curatorial guides for special exhibits
- Rotate lead-curatorial role with Executive Director or consulting curators for major exhibitions
- Create hands-on activities in support of exhibits and the mission that engage the public
- Evaluate programs, educational initiatives, and visitor experience and make any necessary adjustments
- Work with visitors throughout the season on the front lines, and on the floor to teach about the history of the collection
- Give rides to visitors to enhance their museum experience
- Develop a team of education volunteers who can support educational programming and serve as docents
- Drive cars for events, parades, and car shows and work with the public to educate people about the collection and its history
- Develop a public program series with a variety of programs that appeal to audiences of different ages, interests, and backgrounds and find funding to underwrite the series
- Work with mechanics and volunteers as they identify cars to show and get operational, including mechanical work
- Lead the annual process of condition reporting of the collection and updating files in Past Perfect
- Manage all physical and digital collections records
- Manage the work of the Collections Technician, including guiding which cars will be detailed for show and operations, conservation and preservation needs, and any necessary training
Qualifications:
- Advanced degree in history focused on industrial history, will consider equivalent work experience in an industrial history museum
- Working with children and adults in informal education
- Experience developing educational materials related to museum collections
- Excellent verbal, written, and digital communication skills
- Experience writing for publications, including exhibits, magazines, articles, or printed press
- Excellent computer skills and familiarity with current operating systems
- Mechanical knowledge of antique vehicles
- Excellent driving record
- Experience with evaluation methods and techniques
- Experience working with the public
- Willingness to pitch in and help with events and to support other staff in their work to ensure the success of the Museum
Qualified applicants can send a CV and letter of interest to:
Raney Bench, raney@sealcoveautomuseum.org.