Public Engagement Manager

The Center for Curatorial Studies, Bard College (CCS Bard) is seeking a full-time Public Engagement Manager (PEM). As a first point of contact with the visiting public and a critical bridge between CCS Bard and multiple, diverse audiences on and off the Bard College campus, the PEM’s primary goal will be to increase and expand public engagement and improve visitor experiences at CCS Bard and the Hessel Museum.

Part of Bard College, the Center for Curatorial Studies is a multifaceted center encompassing a contemporary art museum (the Hessel Museum of Art), a graduate program in curatorial studies, and a library and archives. The Hessel Museum is open year-round and presents approximately 20 exhibitions annually, including major exhibitions in the summer and fall, graduate student-curated thesis exhibitions in the spring, as well as lectures, symposia, performances, and other public events. The Museum receives visitors of all ages from across the Hudson Valley, New York City, and beyond. To increase access for students and local communities, CCS Bard partners with over 50 local schools, community-based organizations, programs and departments at Bard College, and a wide variety of arts and educational nonprofits in the area.

The PEM will be responsible for building on this momentum, strengthening relationships with existing community partners and establishing new ones, and bringing new ideas to the table that take our outreach and engagement work to the next level. The PEM will manage the CCS Bard social media accounts as well as all aspects of the Museum’s front of house in order to create a welcoming, accessible, and dynamic environment for all visitors. They will be in charge of coordinating and producing CCS Bard’s public programs, including artist talks, panel discussions, and other programming that takes place throughout the year.

This is an in-person role reporting to the Artistic Director, working a Tuesday-Saturday schedule when the Museum is open to the public and Monday-Friday during install/deinstall periods, subject to change. Occasional evenings, Sundays, and holidays may be required for special events, programs, or openings.

Primary Responsibilities:

Public Outreach, Engagement, and Programming

• Reach out to and coordinate with departments, programs, and classes across Bard College to develop partnerships and arrange visits to the Museum, including with Bard’s first-year orientation program, Language & Thinking
• Lead outreach to and engagement with local communities in the surrounding area, fostering relationships with key organizations and building or expanding community partnerships; work with local community partners to arrange visits to the Museum and on-site learning opportunities for groups of different ages
• Engage with online communities through management of the CCS Bard social media accounts (primarily Instagram), maintaining a content schedule, creating posts that reflect the multifaceted activities of CCS Bard and the Hessel Museum, and responding to questions and comments from community members
• Develop and execute outreach initiatives that bring new audiences to the Museum, including community-based programs and events; collaborate on strategies to increase the visibility of the Museum and its programming in local communities
• Design, organize, and conduct tours of the exhibitions for members of Bard College, local audiences, and visiting groups; hire and train Bard College students to work as Museum docents, leading tours and answering visitor questions
• Coordinate and staff the Museum’s public programs, including artist talks, panel discussions, symposia, performances, and other public events developed by CCS Bard staff and outside curators; manage the public program calendar and oversee production logistics including A/V, technical setup, presenter coordination, assembly of event information for the website and promotional materials, presenter release forms, and run-of-show

Visitor Services and Front-of-House Management

• Manage and oversee all operations of the Museum’s front of house, including the main entrance, atrium, front desk, bookstore, and café
• Hire, train, and supervise a visitor services team consisting of part-time graduate and undergraduate student workers to staff the Museum’s front desk, café, and galleries with an emphasis on creating a welcoming environment
• Prepare a monthly visitor services team schedule that supports the staffing needs of exhibitions on view, current programs, and special events
• Ensure CCS Bard’s current accessibility policies and procedures are implemented, while also being responsive to new needs for accessibility as they arise
• Collaborate on the production of museum interpretation and directional signage; create guidelines for visitor services staff on operating audio/visual equipment and other exhibition-related functions

• Experience in public engagement/programming, education, visitor services, community outreach, or a related role at a museum or arts organization
• Ability to lead, manage, motivate, and evaluate staff
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and customer service skills
• Comfortable with public speaking and leading large groups
• Professional, friendly demeanor
• Proactive and motivated to take initiative and bring new ideas to the table
• Ability to remain flexible and focused in a busy work environment
• Highly organized and able to plan and prioritize deadlines and assignments effectively
• Accepting of new and diverse points of view
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team
• Ability to deal with and use discretion with confidential matters
• Proficiency with Mac OS and Google Workspace
• Valid New York State Driver’s License
• This position requires long periods of computer use and sometimes long periods of standing; the PEM will need to be able to talk and hear, walk around, and occasionally work outdoors (during clement weather), as well as be able to lift boxes (20 lbs. and under), office equipment, or small pieces of furniture