Exterior of the Seattle Asian Art Museum building. The front lawn is green and features blooming flowers.

Seattle Asian Art Museum – Hiring Manager of Public Engagement

MANAGER OF PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT, SEATTLE ASIAN ART MUSEUM

OVERVIEW: As a key member of the Public Engagement team, this position at the Seattle Asian Art Museum (SAAM) plays a vital role in enhancing the Seattle Art Museum’s mission. The Manager of Public Engagement develops and implements the Saturday University lecture series, a cornerstone of SAAM’s public programming. In addition, the Manager creates and manages various public programs and collaborative partnerships such as SAM Open House and SAM Remix that are designed to engage diverse communities, center equity, engagement, and excellence, and align with the museum’s mission of connecting art to life.

SAM is committed to racial equity and actively seeks employees, volunteers, and interns who are passionate, qualified, and bring diverse perspectives. We prioritize racial equity because people of color often face the greatest inequities. We aim to engage historically under-represented groups in the museum field, striving for inclusivity and equity. SAM is responsive to cultural communities and experiences, with strategic goals that promote social justice and structural change through art.

FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt
REPORTS TO: Associate Director of Public Engagement
COMPENSATION: $25.95-$32.43 hourly pay range
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

  1. Lead Programming for monthly Saturday University, a monthly scholarly lecture and/or panel presentation series that focuses on exploring various topics on Asian art and culture across time.
    1. Collaborate with key stakeholders including UW faculty advisors, museum curators, and community organizations on program development.
    2. Oversee speaker agreements, travel arrangements, communications, and all other program logistics.
  2. Community program development and management
    1. Envision, design, plan, implement, and evaluate community-driven programs and partnerships including events related to SAAM’s collection and exhibitions. Core programs include:
      1. Exhibition openings (at least two per year)
      2. On-going in-gallery programming
      3. Other programs: talks, film screenings, or performing arts programs.
    2. Collaborate with the Public Engagement team on its annual slate of large-scale public programs across SAM’s three venues.

III. Relationship Building and Communication

  1. Cultivate and sustain relationships with scholars, artists, and performers through effective communication and organization.
  2. Initiate, facilitate, and sustain community partnerships, engaging SAAM in relationships with diverse local organizations and cultural workers. Focus on underrepresented communities, including people of color, LGBTQIA+, differently-abled individuals, etc., to develop relevant programming connected to SAAM’s collections and initiatives and serve their needs.
  3. Represent the Education and Public Engagement Division at meetings and programs. Present information on the museum’s programs to the public, partners, and museum professionals.

IV. Budget and Financial Management

  1. Manage individual program budgets, assess financial needs for each project, track expenses, draft and process contracts, and review overall financial performance.

V. Collaboration and Coordination

  1. Work with Curatorial and Museum Services teams on exhibition and collection-related content.
  2. Coordinate programming details with the museum’s operations staff, including Security, AV, Facilities, Catering, Ticketing, and IT. Utilize various project management tools for paperwork, meetings, and on-site/virtual logistics.
  3. Collaborate with Marketing and Communications to promote programs and share SAAM’s public engagement initiatives. Create content for web, social media, and print, select key imagery, and facilitate access to artists, scholars, curators, educators, or performers.

VI. Evaluation and Feedback

  1. Work with other Division staff to reflect on audience engagement for programs through visitor surveys, participant interviews, self-reflection, and other evaluation projects.

VII. Additional Duties, as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

  1. Experience
    1. Minimum of 3+ years of experience in programming, event planning, or performance management, preferably in the arts and culture nonprofit or government sector.
  2. Communication Skills
    1. Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to engage, respond in a culturally competent way with, and inspire diverse audiences.
  3. Teamwork and Independence
    1. Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team setting and multilevel organization.
    2. Self-motivated, with the capability to set ego aside when necessary.
    3. Constructive in giving and receiving feedback.
    4. Adaptable to different work and learning styles, consistently striving for excellence.
  4. Cultural and Artistic Knowledge
    1. Deep knowledge and professional or academic experience in Asian art, history, or culture (encompassing China, Japan, Korea, India, the Himalayas, and Southeast Asia).
    2. Proven experience in designing and executing large and small-scale public programs in performing arts organizations, museums, or similar institutions.
  5. Commitment to equity
    1. Documented training in anti-racism, equity, anti-bias, cultural competency, or similar topics.
    2. Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion in museum practice.
  6. Relationship building
    1. Demonstrated ability to build and sustain relationships with diverse communities, community and civic organizations, academic institutions, and artists.
  7. Technical skills
    1. Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools (Word, Access, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
    2. Ability to use project management tools for planning and coordinating projects.
  8. Confidentiality and professionalism
    1. Ability to maintain the confidentiality of sensitive information.
    2. Professional and tactful interaction with co-workers, vendors, and volunteers.
  9. Initiative and time management
    1. Ability to take initiative, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines.
    2. Excellent time-management, problem-solving, and risk-assessment skills.
    3. High attention to detail and accuracy in work.
  10. Adherence to policies
    1. Ability to adhere to museum policies and procedures.
    2. Support management decisions in a positive, professional manner.

WORKING CONDITIONS:
Exposure: Work areas are primarily inside, in a climate-controlled environment with light background noise. Work is occasionally performed at other indoor and outdoor sites.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES REQUIRED FOR ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Stationary Work:  Approximately 80% of time is spent stationary while working at a desk. Balance of time (approximately 20%) is spent moving around the work area. Occasional extended periods of standing may be required when assisting at Museum events.
Communication:  Clear and effective communication with volunteers, donors, members, the public, and co-workers is necessary.
Vision:  Corrected vision close to 20/20 is necessary to effectively use the computer screens.
Moving:  The ability to move up to twenty pounds on occasion is necessary for moving files, equipment, and supplies. Must be able to regularly position self to access files.
Office Work:  Ability to effectively and regularly operate a computer, keyboard, and other office productivity machinery, such as copy machines and printers, and ability to inspect, prepare and use paperwork, files, equipment, and supplies is necessary.

Click here to apply!

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