Part-Time Gallery Guide Jobs

Description:

Position Summary

Gallery Guides bring the exhibitions of Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center to life for a variety of audiences through Public Tours, Guided Group Tours, School Group Visits and Family Tours. To become a Gallery Guide, approved candidates are required to participate in a paid, comprehensive, 12-hour training program to gain the skills, language and content expertise required for our visitor-centered and inquiry-based tours. Upon completion of training, guides will attend monthly, paid training sessions and do supplementary research on artists and artworks from the exhibitions to enhance their tours. Guides are expected to give a minimum of two tours a month. Gallery Guides will work closely with the Director of Education and Public Programs and report directly to the Coordinator of Tour and School Programs.

We welcome candidates from a variety of backgrounds, including, but not limited to: practicing artists, informal and formal educators, university students, professional actors, customer-service experts and those with a deep passion for contemporary art.

Requirements:

Essential Job Functions

• Ensure the safety of art in the center in accordance with established security procedures such as keeping visitors at prescribed distances from artworks; monitoring the flow of visitors in the galleries; and reporting any incident involving visitors touching or damaging works.
• Participate in a three-week training course including weekly four-hour meetings and evaluation by Education staff.
• Work with the Coordinator of Tour and School Programs to prepare and facilitate explorations of art for general audiences through Public Tours and Guided Group Tours in Oklahoma Contemporary’s galleries and in exhibition spaces throughout campus.
• Maintain a high quality of visitor experience, hospitality and professionalism in all environments.
• Invite and discuss visitor comments and questions about current exhibitions, contemporary art, the center, Campbell Art Park, Sculpture Garden or The Studios.
• Report on programs including attendance, participant feedback, observational notes on program structure and logistics.
• Work with the Coordinator of Tour and School Programs to deliver engaging tours with a focus on youth, student and teacher programs. This includes internal programs such as School Group Visits (Wednesday-Friday 10 a.m.-12 p.m.) and Camp Contemporary.
• Research and develop tours appropriate for the needs of the audience.
• Attend exhibition walkthroughs, artist talks, monthly educator meetings and other training sessions as required.
• Ensure the safety of visitors and staff on the center’s premises (assist with evacuation during emergencies, perform fireguard duties as trained, and report problems, suspicious activity and safety hazards to a supervisor).

Essential Job Requirements and Qualifications

• Excellent interpersonal and verbal communication skills and poise; ability to think on one’s feet, problem solve, improvise and adapt to a range of situations in the moment.
• Ability to stay on task and complete all aspects of a group visit within specific start and end times.
• Strong interest in education, contemporary arts and culture.
• Comfortable managing large groups, especially in an informal educational setting.
• Experience in mediating and facilitating conversations with a wide range of people including those from diverse cultural backgrounds, age ranges, abilities and attitudes.
• Degree in fine arts, design or architecture, art history, art education, media arts, education or history is helpful, but not essential.
• Previous experience working with the public (e.g. customer service, retail, teaching).

Additional Desired Qualifications and Experience

• Fluent in English with a strong preference for candidates who are also fluent in Spanish or Vietnamese.
• Experience working with children in an educational setting; experience working with people with specific needs, including physical and/or intellectual disabilities and/or autism and/or dementia.

Hours and Compensation

• Preference given to candidates who are available from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Wednesday-Friday for School Group Visit Program
• Ability to work at least two shifts per week or about four to six hours a week.
• $20/hour for tours, $15/hour for training and research.
• Flexibility to work a range of days and hours including 9:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday and occasional evenings. Schedule varies according to planned school tours, daily group tours and tour-related programs.
• Availability to attend monthly Gallery Guide trainings.

Limitations and Disclaimer

The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position. Continued employment remains on an “at-will” basis. Nothing in this job description is to be construed as a contract of employment. All job duties are subject to change as business needs necessitate.

Other Requirements and working Conditions

• Use of a computer/monitor, telephone and copier daily.
• Weekend and holiday work is required regularly.
• Fingerprint clearance and background check required.
• Physical requirements include: Must be able to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl and heavy work may include routine lifting of a maximum weight of 25 lbs.
• Flexible schedule with ability to participate in evening or weekend events.
• Team environment with frequent group meeting participation.
• Use of a car required; legally registered and insured for daily use.

Oklahoma Contemporary is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or veteran status.

Inclusion
Oklahoma Contemporary strives to demonstrate leadership by modeling excellence and best practices for inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility. We believe in the power of human creativity and value the opportunities for connection and learning that exist when cultures and communities come together in collaboration and understanding.

We commit to championing policies and practices that value diversity, foster cultural equity and create an accessible and inclusive environment. Oklahoma Contemporary does not discriminate based on race/ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, socioeconomic status, geography, citizenship status or religion. We recognize our strengths lie in the broad range of people who contribute their time and talents to our mission and are dedicated to creating a safe, inclusive place for them to explore creativity.

About Oklahoma Contemporary
Oklahoma Contemporary is an inclusive center for the arts where people of all ages and backgrounds can experience art, encounter new ideas and ignite their creative potential. Through visual art exhibitions, performances, public programs, community-building initiatives, outdoor installations and special events, Oklahoma Contemporary creates opportunities for everyone to come together in celebration of contemporary culture and artistic expression. With year-round classes and seasonal youth camps across multiple disciplines, the arts center’s education programs encourage youth and adults to express their ideas across a variety of media and learn new skills. Oklahoma Contemporary believes that art is for everyone and places accessibility and education at the center of all programming. Admission to exhibitions is always free. Oklahoma Contemporary is a regional 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded in 1989 by businessman and philanthropist Christian Keesee and Kirkpatrick Foundation Director Marilyn Myers.

About Oklahoma City
In the middle of its third decade of economic and cultural expansion, Oklahoma City is a surprisingly lively and diverse American city. Recent growth has spurred exciting developments in the city’s recreation and nightlife, with the construction of new parks, a streetcar system, bike trails, shops, restaurants, breweries and bars. The construction of Oklahoma Contemporary’s new building in the urban core, opening in March 2020, represents a significant commitment on the part of the city and its inhabitants to a new era in contemporary culture.