Specialist, World Religions

Specialist, World Religions

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
Kansas City, Missouri

Status: Full-Time Exempt (35 hours per week)


Salary Range: $46,762 - $58, 504 per year

Why the Nelson-Atkins?

We are a vibrant, free-admission museum with a world-class collection spanning 5,000 years of global creativity. We are committed to scholarship, accessibility, and diversity-and to creating a sense of belonging for all. Here, you'll join a team that believes art can inspire, challenge, and transform-and that every visitor should feel welcome to explore and be moved by what they see.
Position Summary

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art seeks a Specialist, World Religions to support research, interpretation, and programming that explores the intersections of art, global religious traditions, spirituality, and cultural practice. Working across multiple Museum divisions, this position serves as a subject matter expert and resource for the accurate, respectful, and inclusive representation of religious traditions and cultural perspectives within exhibitions, collections, programs, and community engagement initiatives.

Reporting to the Deputy Director, Learning & Engagement, the Specialist collaborates with colleagues across Curatorial, Learning & Engagement, Interpretation, and the Director's Office to develop content and experiences that deepen public understanding of art and its connections to religious and cultural traditions.
Key Responsibilities

• Conduct research on artworks connected to global religious traditions, including Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, and Indigenous beliefs and cultural practices.
• Contribute religious, spiritual, and cultural context to exhibitions, installations, and related interpretive materials.
• Develop and review gallery texts, printed materials, digital content, audio tours, and other interpretive resources.
• Plan and facilitate lectures, workshops, discussions, and public programs related to religion, spirituality, and cultural practice.
• Support educational initiatives including docent training, educator programs, school partnerships, family programs, and community events.
• Serve as an internal consultant on the respectful and accurate representation of religious subjects and traditions.
• Build and maintain relationships with faith leaders, scholars, community organizations, and cultural partners.
• Facilitate advisory groups and engage community stakeholders to inform exhibitions, interpretation, and programming.
• Support cross-departmental initiatives and other Museum projects as assigned.

Qualifications
Required

• Master's degree in Religious Studies, Theology, Divinity, Art History, or a related field.
• Minimum of two years of experience in research, writing, public interpretation, education, program development, or a related area.
• Demonstrated knowledge of world religions, spirituality, and cultural traditions.
• Strong research, writing, presentation, and communication skills.
• Ability to communicate complex ideas to diverse audiences in accessible and engaging ways.
• Ability to work collaboratively across departments and with external stakeholders.

Preferred

• Experience working in a museum, cultural institution, educational setting, or public humanities organization.
• Experience developing public-facing educational or interpretive content.
• Experience working with community advisory groups, faith communities, or cultural organizations .

Working Conditions

• Work is performed in a professional office and museum environment.
• Position requires occasional evening and weekend work to support programs, events, and community engagement activities.
• Position may require local travel within the Kansas City metropolitan area to meet with community partners and stakeholders.

Health & Wellness

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts (Healthcare and Dependent Care FSAs)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Onsite wellness center and fitness classes
• Paid parental leave or family leave

Work-Life Balance

• Generous paid time off and ten calendar holidays
• 35-hour work week for most positions (M-F)

Professional Growth

• Paid professional development opportunities
• Conference attendance or travel support
• Free access to exhibitions and reciprocal admission to partner museums
• Access to continuing learning with our Learning Management System

Financial Security

• Employer retirement contributions
• Life and disability insurance

Culture & Mission

• An inspiring, art-filled work environment where creativity and collaboration thrive
• Opportunities to attend exclusive exhibition previews, lectures, and community events.
• The chance to make a tangible impact on access to the arts and cultural engagement.
• A creative, inclusive culture that values scholarship, collaboration, and balance

Non-Discrimination

The Nelson-Atkins is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ+ applicants.

We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other legally protected basis. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs.

For individuals with disabilities who would like to request an accommodation, please contact the People & Culture division at people&View email address on click.appcast.io

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art conducts pre-employment background checks as part of our selection process.

Salary information is a general guideline only. The Museum considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as market and business considerations when extending an offer.