Museum Educator

The Whitney Museum of American Art, founded in 1930 by artist and philanthropist Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, houses the foremost collection of American art from the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. The Museum champions innovative art and serves diverse audiences through collecting, preserving, interpreting, and exhibiting American art of our time.

About the role

We seek a Full-Time Museum Educator to teach K–12 school programs and develop trainings and resources for NYC teachers and freelance educators. This role connects the Whitney’s collection and exhibitions to classroom learning through guided visits and workshops, engaging students in considering artists as observers, storytellers, experimenters, and critics of American life. Programs are inquiry-based, inclusive, and designed to support multiple perspectives. The Museum Educator is a reflective teaching artist with a strong studio practice and a commitment to art as a catalyst for connection, civic engagement, and empathy.

Responsibilities

• Gallery & School Programs (K–12)
  • Lead and facilitate inquiry-based Guided Visits (in-person and virtual) for K–12 students, using discussion, close looking, and interactive strategies
  • Conduct a minimum of eight guided visits per month, with flexibility to support additional programs as needed
  • Develop and lead Guided Visit + Studio programs, integrating thematic gallery tours with hands-on artmaking experiences
  • Act as Lead Educator for new school partnerships
  • Design engaging, developmentally appropriate lesson plans aligned with classroom curricula and accessible to diverse learners, including students with disabilities
  • Communicate effectively with teachers to align museum experiences with learning goals
  • Collaborate with K-12 School and Group Services staff and fellow educators to ensure strong program delivery
  • Lead occasional visitor-centered lecture-style tours for adult groups
• Teacher & Educator Programs
  • In partnership with the Associate Manager and fellow Museum Educators, facilitate professional development workshops for NYC teachers, introducing inquiry-based teaching strategies and interdisciplinary connections
  • Assist in training and supporting a cohort of Freelance Museum Educators, including leading training three times per year
  • Facilitate trainings for Whitney Education staff
• Curriculum & Resource Development
  • Develop clear, innovative lesson plans and teaching materials for gallery and studio programs
  • Create and update high-quality, accessible teacher resources, including pre-visit, in-gallery, and post-visit materials
  • Produce at least two exhibition-based digital resource guides per year
  • Contribute to ongoing evaluation and refinement of programs and interpretive strategies
  • Conduct research on new exhibitions and create files for Educator preparation
• Collaboration & Communication
  • Maintain regular communication with supervisors regarding program needs, student engagement, and materials
  • Work collaboratively across Education teams to support a welcoming, inclusive environment for all audiences
  • Engage in reflective teaching practices aligned with the Whitney’s pedagogical approach

Requirements

• B.A./MA/M.F.A. in art history, contemporary art, American studies, and/or museum education
• 3+ years teaching experience, including work with K–12 students and teachers
• Strong organizational and communication skills
• Sound knowledge of educational and developmental theory
• Passion for modern and contemporary art
• Flexible and able to work well in a group
• Interest in working with diverse groups of students
• Available Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and occasional weekends as needed

Preferences

• Bilingual (a plus)

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage
• 403(B) retirement plan elections
• Generous PTO benefits
• Commuter benefits (parking and mass transit)
• Admission to world-renowned museums across the city and nationally
• Pet insurance and discounted membership for Citi Bike

Pay

$71,000 annually

Schedule

Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with occasional weekends as needed. Scheduling adjustments may occur based on division needs.