Gallery Teacher

Position Summary:

Gallery Teachers are responsible for facilitating interactive conversations about art in a gallery setting, researching artists and artworks, leading on-site hands-on art lessons, and writing lesson plans. Gallery Teachers aim to administer inquiry-based gallery visits that offer students the opportunity to develop visual arts literacy through viewing and talking about works of art. 

Duties and Responsibilities, include but are not limited to:

• Conduct inquiry-based gallery visits and activities for students in grades K-12 
• Lead hands-on art activities as part of on-site programs such as 2-Part Art, and Community Day 
• Work departmentally, cross-departmentally and with partner organizations on various creative events and programs 
• Teach during our annual Summer Art Camp for a minimum of 3 of the 6 scheduled weeks 
• Participate in all exhibition training sessions, staff meetings, and continuing education sessions 
• Conduct independent research on artists and artworks in Museum exhibitions and the Museum's Permanent Collection 
• Design and implement grade-appropriate tours 
• Perform other tasks that pertain to the responsibilities of the Museum Experience and Education Department, as assigned by the Director of Education 
  

Minimum Qualifications:

• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and writing skills 
• Experience working with groups of children and teachers, especially in an informal educational setting 
• Experience making art and/or leading hands-on art lessons 
• Basic understanding of educational theories or techniques, Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS), age/grade characteristics, and/or child developmental stages 
• Excellent communication and writing skills 
• Interest in modern and contemporary art 
• Excellent Word, Excel, PowerPoint & Publisher skills
• Ability to work independently, with little supervision, and uphold Museum's policies 
• Bilingual in Spanish or Vietnamese, a plus 
• Creativity and flexibility 

Special Requirements:

• Fingerprint clearance and background check, required 
• Ability to work during set calendar days for training and events as well as evenings and weekends as required 
• An understanding of working with students with a broad range of abilities is desirable 

Education and/or Experience: 

• BA in Art History, Studio Art, Education, Museum Studies or related field. MA, MFA or M.Ed., or related experience preferred 
• Minimum six months teaching experience. Studio Art or Museum Education related experience, preferred 

About Us: 

San Jose Museum of Art (SJMA) is Silicon Valley’s premier modern and contemporary art museum, accredited by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), and a member of AAMD. SJMA presents a dynamic program of new exhibitions and off-site projects to realize its goal to become a borderless museum, essential to the creative life of San Jose and Silicon Valley. Exhibitions are supported by substantial arts education and outreach efforts, a strong commitment to community partnership, and a core commitment to nurturing a sense of belonging and welcome for all members of this vibrant racially, ethnically, and linguistically diverse community. The Museum works to eliminate barriers to access by offering weekend and evening hours, eliminating admission fees for students and teachers, and providing exhibition didactics in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese––the three official languages of San José.

SJMA’s current exhibitions include Hito Steyerl: Factory of the Sun (co-acquired with the Hammer Museum and MCA Chicago): Trevor Paglen’s first sound piece, a public commission called There Will Come Soft Rains; Kelly Akashi: Formations where Akashi explores the inherited impact of her family’s imprisonment in Japanese American incarceration camp during WWII; and Evergreen which is a dedicated gallery space celebrating SJMA’s permanent collection. sjmusart.org/exhibitions-on-view

SJMA conducts pre-employment, post-offer background checks in accordance with state and federal law.

As SJMA operates in a City of San Jose-owned building, applicants must comply with the City’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate.

We are an equal opportunity employer. SJMA seeks talented people of all backgrounds - we value diversity of cultures, races and ethnicities, gender expressions, and abilities. Candidates who are BIPOC, LGBTQ+, bilingual or multilingual, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

To Apply To apply, please visit http://sjmusart.org/about/employment.

Due to the high volume of interest, regrettably, we cannot respond to individual applicants. If you are selected as a potential candidate, SJMA will contact you to schedule an interview.

No phone calls, please.

$21/Hour

10-20 Hours/Week