Director Feitler Center Academic Inquiry and Head of Education

Department

AI Museum Director

As the fine arts museum of the University of Chicago, the Smart Museum of Art is a site for rigorous inquiry and exchange that encourages the examination of complex issues through the lens of art objects and artistic practice. Through strong scholarly and community collaborations and a welcoming approach to its exhibitions, collections, publications, research and teaching, and public programs, the Smart Museum plays a dynamic role in expanding artistic canons, rethinking received histories, introducing new perspectives, and engaging diverse communities -- locally, nationally, and internationally.

The Director of the Feitler Center for Academic Inquiry is charged with conceptualizing, leading, and advancing the museum's academic engagement, student and community outreach, and public programming. This position serves as a critical ambassador for advancing the role of art in teaching at large and shapes interdisciplinary pedagogy and community engagement. Through partnerships with faculty, students, and community members, the Director integrates object-based study into curricular and co-curricular pursuits and defines the Smart Museum as a premier destination for individuals from disparate disciplines to engage in collaborative research, learning, and conversation through the lens of art objects.

With the additional role of Head of Education, this position will also oversee the Smart's K-12 and family programming. This additional role will constitute approximately 10 percent of the total responsibilities for the position.

• Partner with the Museum Director to set vision, strategy, and goals for the Feitler Center of Academic Inquiry and implement the Smart Museum of Art's new strategic plan, including launching the Museum's first-ever Thinktank.
• Oversee Feitler Center staff, budget, and overall activities; collaborate with University and community partners; provide robust internships and student professional development experiences.
• Build and maintain relationships with faculty and students to foster innovation, experimentation, and practice connected to multi-disciplinary object-based teaching and research.
• Act as an enthusiastic connector and liaison to academic departments and administrative units within the University, organizing workshops, colloquia, and public programs that bring together disparate partners.
• Support curricular engagement with the Smart Museum of Art by organizing and teaching or co‑teaching University class visits, and grow the number of classes and range of disciplines attending the museum.
• Partner with the Director and Deputy Director in development of marketing plan and strategic partnerships on and off campus to expand visibility of the Smart.
• Organize and/or oversee curricular-driven exhibitions as appropriate.
• Collaborate with colleagues across the Smart Museum of Art to advance museum-wide goals, and lead/ support fundraising efforts with the Director of Development.
• Serve as a staff lead on the Feitler Center's Advisory Committee.
• Contribute to the communications strategy and marketing efforts to increase the Museum's visibility on campus and beyond.
• Engage in a network of museum and university arts leaders, including organizing and attending conference panels, symposia, and other opportunities that strengthen the Museum's activities.
• Partner with the Museum's Director to set vision, strategy, and goals for public programs and the Museum's K‑12 engagement.
• Provide oversight for education staff, budget, and overall activities.
• Manage employees by establishing annual performance goals, allocating resources, assessing performance, and determining merit, incentive, and/or promotional increases.
• Manage program operations and administrative functions such as planning, scheduling, evaluation, policy implementation, personnel administration, budget, marketing, fundraising, and proposal development.
• Perform other related work as needed.

Education: College or university degree in a related field.

Work Experience: Minimum of 7 years of experience in a related job discipline.

Education: PhD in art history, visual culture, or a related field.

• Ability to articulate a strong pedagogical vision for object-based teaching across disciplines.
• Interest in expanding the Smart's curricular engagement, especially in the sciences.
• Excellent teaching skills at the university level, emphasizing object-based and interactive approaches.
• Strong research skills that enable connections between the permanent collection and interdisciplinary courses.
• Interdisciplinary thinking, genuine enthusiasm for collaboration, and commitment to academic engagement with faculty and students.
• Team‑leadership experience, including mentoring, performance management, and collaboration.
• Program, event, and project management experience with assessment and evaluation.
• Effective collaboration with the Museum's…