Director of Education and Academic Affairs

Director Of Education And Academic Affairs

The Blanton Museum of Art at the University of Texas at Austin is known for its bold vision, from a dynamic reinstallation of the collection galleries in 2017, to the opening of Ellsworth Kelly's monumental work of art, Austin, in 2018, and redesign of its grounds by Snøhetta in 2023, and the exhibitions and educational programs that define the museum's role in the community.

There is even more to come for the Blanton and the thousands of school and university students and visitors we serve. With a proven track record as a museum that is deeply relevant, and where education is embedded into everything we do, we have put The University of Texas at Austin, and the city of Austin, on the forefront of the visual arts.

Benefits-eligible Blanton Museum of Art staff enjoy the same competitive benefits, programs and services available to University of Texas at Austin employees. Blanton staff has access to complimentary admission to the museum, selected museum events, and a 20% discount at the Museum Store.

The Blanton is home to a vast array of roles matching a wide range of interests and talents. No matter the staff position at the Blanton, all contribute to the preservation of culture and history for the entire community. We invite you to view and apply for this exciting opportunity.

Purpose

The Director of Education and Academic Affairs position provides experienced and visionary leadership for the Blanton's nationally recognized department of Education and Academic Affairs. This department delivers high-impact academic and experiential learning opportunities across all disciplines on campus, advancing the university's mission to transform lives through teaching, research and student engagement. This leadership position is critical to sustain, coordinate, and advance this institutional impact.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for the Education and Academic Affairs Department, serving university audiences, schools, and the public. Lead, mentor, and evaluate staff; oversee departmental programs and budgets. Foster a culture of excellence, innovation, and collaboration that distinguishes the Blanton as a leader in museum education. Design and implement educational programs that serve as models for peer university art museums. Partner other senior leadership members and internal teams to align initiatives with the museum's mission and represent the museum in professional organizations and field-wide initiatives.
• Develop and sustain collaborative partnerships with a wide range of academic departments and university programs to foster the use of the Blanton collection and special exhibitions as an integral resource. Teach curriculum-based classes in the galleries for a broad range of academic disciplines – from medical and nursing programs to the humanities – with a special emphasis on integrating the use of Blanton resources with major university initiatives. Partner with other museum departments to develop and implement strategies that facilitate this effort.
• Collaborate closely with curators and other museum staff to develop and implement interpretive strategies for exhibitions and objects from the collection. Participate as needed in exhibition content reviews and selection processes. Review and edit all written interpretive materials for clarity.
• Oversee K-12 programming developed in close collaboration with area school educators, appropriate university faculty and staff, and partner organizations supporting K-12 visual arts education. Provide leadership for the museum's long-standing docent program with a corps of more than 60 volunteers. Oversee family programs, evaluating quality, impact, and potential for growth.
• Develop and implement an evaluation plan to assess the qualitative and quantitative impact of Education and Academic Affairs Department programs. Collaborate with museum staff to develop fundraising strategies and actively participate in fundraising and donor solicitation efforts in support of departmental initiatives.
• Provide direction for engaging the broader university student body in self-initiated, out-of-class museum visits that foster a lifelong love of the arts among students. Oversee departmental interns and fellows.
• Other related functions as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with 7-10 years of professional experience in a related discipline.
• Ability to articulate and lead a strong vision for object-based learning across a wide range of disciplines
• Proven success teaching at the university level, using experiential, interactive, and collection-driven approaches
• Demonstrated experience developing and delivering educational programs for K-12 students and educators
• Strong research skills and experience connecting museum collections to interdisciplinary, curriculum-based courses from a variety of academic departments
• An interdisciplinary thinker with a genuine enthusiasm for collaboration, and a demonstrated commitment to meaningful faculty, student, and institutional engagement.
• Significant experience in people management and leadership, including mentoring, performance management, and team development
• Demonstrated ability to build and sustain effective relationships with museum staff, university partners, community stakeholders, and diverse audiences
• Knowledge of museums and non-profit operations, including best practices and emerging trends in museum education and academic partnerships
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences clearly and effectively
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work on multiple programs and deadlines simultaneously
• Availability to work a flexible schedule, including occasional evenings and weekends, as required by programs and events

Equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

• Graduate degree in art history, art education, fine arts, museum studies, or a related discipline
• Professional experience in a college or university museum or academic museum environment
• Prior teaching experience in higher education, including curriculum development and faculty collaboration
• Spanish fluency

Salary Range

$105,000 - $150,000 depending on qualifications

Working Conditions

• Standard office environment

Work Shift

• Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
• Ability to work extended hours as needed, including occasional evening and weekends, as required by programs and events

Required Materials

• Resume/CV
• Letter of interest
• 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor