Opportunities
Job Opportunity: SPARK! Museum Educator
Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art (BMoCA) is searching for a qualified candidate for a part-time, contractor position of Museum Educator for its SPARK! offsite program in Arapahoe and Jefferson Counties.
SPARK! is a program that creates opportunities for individuals living with early to mid-stage Alzheimer’s disease, mild cognitive impairment, memory loss, or other types of dementia and their families to enjoy interactive and engaging art experiences in a comfortable and safe environment. BMoCA has been presenting SPARK! since 2015 through a relationship with the local Alzheimer’s Association branch. 2020 marks the first year that BMoCA will deliver this program outside of the museum beyond our main facility in different library locations. The program includes a specialized presentation of the museum’s current exhibitions and an art-making activity.
SPARK! workshops are based on a specialized set of techniques developed for individuals with degenerative cognitive disorders. These techniques were created by the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York through its “Meet Me at the MoMA” program. This program offers educational experiences designed to make art accessible to people with Alzheimer’s and to foster closer connections amongst dementia patients, care partners, friends, and family.
The SPARK! Museum Educator will be responsible for creating curriculum, collecting and preparing materials, program delivery, evaluation, maintaining program excellence, and communicating with the Education Coordinator. The SPARK! curriculum focuses on current BMoCA exhibiting artists, and is delivered in parts: first, seniors enjoy light refreshments and become acclimated to the workshop environment and BMoCA’s Spark! Museum Educator, while caregivers connect and find sources of support among each other; second, seniors enjoy a presentation by the Educator, which includes a filmed interview with BMoCA’s exhibiting artists; last, seniors explore the elements of the artist’s process firsthand through an interactive art exercise.
BMoCA is searching for a well-qualified candidate with experience in art education who is specially trained to interact with this unique audience in an atmosphere that remains safe, friendly, respectful, and welcoming.
Duties include but are not limited to:
- Planning, developing, and teaching a high-quality SPARK! program in the public
libraries
- Evaluating projects, participants, and the impact of the program
- Working and communicating with the Education Coordinator
- Acting as an ambassador for BMoCA to the library’s audience and the public
- Performing tasks and errands related to the program as needed
Qualifications:
- 2 years of experience in art education with a cognitively impaired population
- Experience developing arts-related curriculum
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, teaching certification, and/or
museum experience preferred
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Excellent organizational skills and ability to work independently and manage
multiple priorities
Hours & Schedule:
This program is delivered within the public library system in Arapahoe and Jefferson Counties. The schedule is created for an entire year by the library and cannot be changed by BMoCA. The program is delivered at the following libraries:
• Standley Lake Library
• Columbine Library
• Belmar Library
• Bemis Public Library
• Englewood Public Library
Compensation & benefits:
This position will be on a contract basis and paid per workshop. The Museum Educator will also enjoy the benefit of free admission to BMoCA and its programming while teaching SPARK!. Health insurance and vacation are not included with this position.
Start Date: Applicant will start in December to train with the Education Coordinator and the Alzheimer’s Association prior to the start of the program on January 8, 2020. Training time will be compensated.
About BMoCA:
Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art is a catalyst for creative experiences through the exploration of significant art of our time.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art is an equal opportunity employer and considers all candidates for employment regardless of race, color, sex, age, national origin, creed, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or political affiliation.