On Call Studio Programs Assistant

Department: Education

Reports to: Studio and Community Programs Assistant Manager

Classification: Non-exempt/hourly part-time

Pay rate: $20.00 per hour

Schedule: This is an on-call position. Most available shifts are for Saturdays 11:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. and first Thursdays of the month 2:00 9:00 p.m.

This is an onsite Boston-based position. Local candidates preferred. No agencies please.

Important: Only applications that include a cover letter resume and a demonstration of past program experience will be considered for this position.

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum Core Values

Isabella Stewart Gardner so deeply believed that art had the power to change lives that she built a beautiful personal and immersive Museum for the education and enjoyment of the public forever. Today the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum (ISGM) is a living embodiment of her bold vision; its a dynamic place where ideas and creativity in all its forms inspire visitors. We strive to tell new stories and challenge assumptions through exhibitions music programs and performances and by engaging the perspectives and collaboration of our communities.

The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum seeks to connect past with present develop and sustain mutually beneficial partnerships with local communities and artists broaden our audiences and generate opportunities for creativity. We are firmly committed to a welcoming work culture and visitor experience. Our five-year strategic plan outlines the Museums core values goals and initiatives that serve as a renewal of Isabellas promise to serve the public and be a resource for the city.

Position Summary

The Studio Programs Assistant supports and facilitates drop-in art-making opportunities that inspire multigenerational audiences to explore creative experimentation to spark generative looking and thinking about art education landscape and music and to help visitors make their own connections to art found in the Museums collection and special exhibitions.

This position includes helping manage communication with and meet with visiting artists welcoming and helping visiting artists and overseeing general maintenance of the Studio set ups and inventory and supporting an inclusive visitor experience.

The Studio Programs Assistant collaborates with local teaching artists and members of the programs team on planning and implementing a range of dynamic drop-in art-making activities for Saturday Open Studios and other programs. The Studio Programs Assistant will work with visiting artists and/or Education Department staff on an already established project that aligns their projects with the institutional strategic plan audience development goals as well as the Education and Public Programs vision.

Please note that the Studio Programs Assistant might also assist with the Access Studio program. The Access Studio serves members of the disability community and will require candidates with sensitivity to varying levels of ability.

This part-time position requires working Saturdays and select Thursday evenings.

Essential Functions and Primary Responsibilities

• Supports and facilitates engaging hands-on art-making projects for visitors of all ages for Saturday Open Studios and select Free First Thursdays programming.
• Works with a diverse range of local teaching artists with robust creative practices who are invited to develop and lead hands-on art-making projects in the Museums Education Studio for visitors.
• Assists and communicates with Polly Thayer Starr Visiting Studio Artist.
• Along with other Education staff helps maintain Studio space keeping it organized and accessible.
• Regularly communicates with the Studio and Community Programs Assistant Manager for supply requests.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required

• Graduate with an Associates degree or a current candidate for an Associates Bachelors or Masters degree.
• Must demonstrate an interest in Studio Art or Art Education or related field or commensurate experience.
• At least one years experience creating hands-on studio art projects and leading art-making activities with diverse audiences including adults and children.
• Have a general understanding of art-making materials and studio practice.
• Experience working with the public guest artists and community organizations.
• Excellent interpersonal skills a sense of humor and ability to work well independently and as part of a team.
• Excellent computer skills including Google Workspace.
• Commitment to advancing the ISGMs strategic initiatives.
• Ability to work required shifts on Saturdays and on the evenings of First Free Thursdays.
• Legal authorization to work in the United States.
• Satisfactory background check.
• If you are currently employed as a Gardner employee please note that this on-call opportunity is only available to part-time staff that are scheduled to work 23 hours or less per week. As we only need a few Studio Programs Assistants for each program we cannot guarantee how many shifts will be available in any given week. Your availability to your home department must always take priority.

Desirable

• Past experience facilitating educational programs for a range of accessibility levels.
• Interest in connections between historic and contemporary art.
• Experience with inquiry-based pedagogies.
• Bilingual language skills desired; Spanish Chinese Haitian Creole Cape Verdean Creole or Portuguese a plus.
• Museum and/or non-profit experience.

Competencies

• Teamwork and collaboration.
• Creativity and innovation.
• Analytical and forward thinking.
• Initiative.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Museum is committed to affording equal opportunity to qualified individuals regardless of race color religion age (40 or older) disability national origin sex gender identity sexual orientation genetic information pregnancy childbirth or related conditions ancestry or status as a veteran. Consistent with our core values and our founders legacy the Museum is dedicated to building a work community that fosters collaboration excellence belonging and a diversity of perspectives and experience.

Request an Accommodation

Applicants with disabilities who are unable to fully access ISGMs online application system may contact us at for assistance with a reasonable accommodation.