Educator, Creative Spaces

The Art Institute of Chicago shares its singular collections with our city and the world. We collect, care for, and interpret works of art across time, cultures, geographies, and identities. We are a place of gathering and learning, committed to fostering an inclusive understanding of human creativity.

The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Learning Center (RLC) is a platform for culturally responsive experiences that bring young people and the adults around them into dynamic and inspiring encounters with art. We celebrate curiosity and creativity, with the conviction that meaningful experiences with art and with the museum enrich people’s lives, connect people to one another, and build confidence and the capacity to imagine, create, and make sense of the world.

With an enduring commitment to equitable access, the Ryan Learning Center team engages children, teens, families, students, and educators through a wide array of programs, partnerships, and resources. These include guided gallery experiences, studio workshops, youth leadership opportunities, festivals and events, neighborhood-based engagements, and professional learning experiences. We serve all museum audiences through our free and accessible public learning space, the Ryan Learning Center.

Through these experiences, learners can confidently engage with the museum as a resource, be critical thinkers and imaginative creators, and animate the museum as a place of insight, expression, and community.

By focusing on Chicago learners and centering civic partnerships in our work, the Ryan Learning Center activates and amplifies the museum’s civic role and strategic priorities to serve Chicago audiences; expand our presence within neighborhoods; and cultivate a visitorship that reflects our city.

As part of the Creative Spaces team, the Educator contributes to the design, production, facilitation, and evaluation of artmaking programs and installations in the Ryan Learning Center (RLC) enabling the museum to be creative, welcoming, inclusive, and accessible for families and multigenerational audiences. This role has a special focus on the Art Exchange, the museum’s public hub for learning and creativity for audiences of all ages.

The Educator regularly captains the space and supports daily direction of part-time staff, interns, and volunteers. The Educator ensures Creative Spaces programs operate effectively and efficiently by coordinating the resources, spaces, and projects that support program delivery. Additionally, the Educator contributes to the development of programs, like Family Days, and supports the presentation of interactive installations in the RLC.

• Acts as Lead facilitator 2-3 shifts per week (back-up facilitator 1-2 shifts per week) in the Art Exchange which includes: daily maintenance, opening and closing procedures, cleaning and organizing, providing instruction and guidance for engagements, and supporting the direction of volunteers, part-time staff, and interns.
• Contributes to research, concepting, design, and coordination of the Artist Studio, the primary artmaking project that rotates seasonally and is available to visitors every day in the Art Exchange.
• With the Creative Spaces Senior Educator, co-develops family-friendly artmaking, performance, and engagements for Family Day and other large-scale events.
• Provides assistance, maintenance, and coordination support for Ryan Learning Center creative installations including the Trott Family Gallery, Multisensory Gallery, the McCormick Gallery, and the Art Exchange.
• Oversees daily maintenance including condition checking interactives and coordination of cleaning, repairs, and supply stocking in the Ryan Learning Center's Art…