Director of Interpretation & Education (Glass House)
: Job Details :

Director of Interpretation & Education (Glass House)

Department: Historic Sites

Location: New Canaan, CT

ABOUT THE GLASS HOUSE

The Glass House property, built between 1949 and 1995 by architect Philip Johnson, is a National Trust Historic Site in New Canaan, Connecticut. For more than half a century, the Glass House was home to Philip Johnson and his partner, influential curator David Whitney, a place where they hosted many of the most notable architects, artists and designers of their time.

Today, the pastoral 49-acre landscape comprises fourteen structures centered around the iconic Glass House and features a renowned permanent collection of 20 th -century art. Since 1986, the entire campus has served as a catalyst for the preservation and interpretation of Modern art and design and a canvas for inspiration and experimentation through leading-edge exhibitions and installations of the highest quality. The site's tour program, acclaimed Design Store, and on-site and online events provide a variety of opportunities for dynamic engagement. Through new research and programming t he Glass House openly explores Philip Johnson and the site's full history and legacy including connections to the LGBTQ+ experience, Johnsons' influence on the art world, his forays into fascism and work toward forgiveness.

Over the last 10 years, the Glass House has conducted a strategic campaign to restore and re-activate the buildings and landscape at the site. The restoration of the Brick House, the companion to the Glass House that was also built in 1949, was recently completed and reopened in Spring 2024. This re-introduction of the Brick House and the flood of new interest in more critical understandings of Johnson's story offers a tremendous opportunity to define and implement a vibrant new vision for the site and its impact that continues to build relevance in the local community as well as the international fields of art, design and public history as the property celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2024.

The site is owned and operated by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and is a part of its portfolio of 28 National Trust Historic Sites that are central to the organization's mission and operations. The Glass House has a full-time staff of ten with approximately 25 seasonal staff. The executive leadership is supported by a dedicated Advisory Council of professionals in the business, architecture, art, design and marketing world.

JOB SUMMARY

Under the direction of the Executive Director, the Director of Interpretation and Education establishes a strategic vision, inspired by Philip Johnson's provocative and experimental design legacy, for how the site and its human history are interpreted and engaged with by the public. They will set the tone and direction for the major interpretation and education initiatives, including overseeing exhibitions, tours, and adult, student and family programs. This new position will ensure that The Glass House will embody best practices in visitor-centered interpretation and arts education and exemplify equity, inclusion, justice and diversity in all aspects of public engagement. They will be a creative force who collaboratively leads and supervises the new vision for the Glass House visitor experience and be a crucial part of the mission to draw larger and more diverse audiences through innovative and exploratory interpretative programs. The Director will conceptualize, develop, and/or enhance tours, interpretive programs, and special events that build audience and participation, enhance visitor engagement and learning, and encourage repeat visitation. This position will establish and develop partnerships with local schools and teachers and conceptualize and implement student and family programs. Overall, they will be responsible for manifesting the National Trust's strategic priority of “Telling the Full American Story” by generating opportunities for the diverse public to learn and explore narratives, spaces and art that is vitally relevant to the world today and their place in it.

This position will be responsible for leading, supervising, motivating, and coaching a dynamic team of interpreters and educators including the Manager of Interpretation & Education and a seasonal staff of approximately 20 educators. The Director will be part of the leadership team at The Glass House and collaborate with the Director of Development and the Director of Communications on fundraising opportunities, community relations and media/marketing strategies and campaigns. The Director of Interpretation & Education will interface frequently with senior management at The National Trust's Historic Sites Department, as well as peers at other National Trust Historic Sites and other house museums across the country. This position will require some travel to other sites and relevant conferences and training opportunities, and they will thrive on finding and delivering professional development and learning opportunities for the I&E team.

The successful candidate will have relevant experience developing and managing innovative interpretation and education programs that tell compelling stories for diverse audiences at a historic site, arts center or museum, or comparable venue. Experience in interpretive planning is required, along with proven experience cultivating/strengthening community relationships and community-based programs with diverse communities. Managerial experience, including supervisory experience, and outstanding communication and organizational skills are required.

This position offers flexibility for a hybrid work arrangement but does require a minimum of three days working on-site each week, therefore candidates will need to be area residents (CT or NY).

• Develop, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive interpretive plan that advances the organization's mission of telling the full American story and that reflects the needs and interests of the local community.
• Plan, implement and evaluate interpretive programs and products. This includes, but is not limited to, on-site and remote programs, activities, demonstrations, tours, events, community engagement opportunities, social media, web-based digital projects, brochures, maps, etc.
• Explore the site's buildings, landscapes and human histories to reveal powerful, educational, proactive and relevant narratives that will inspire and/or deepen program, tour, event and exhibition offerings. Develop offerings that connect with and draw new audiences while reinvigorating the site's relationship with past visitors.
• Manage current and future grants related to interpretive studies to assist with this scope of work, including helping to manage relationships with funders and other stakeholders as well as work performed under the grants.
• Plan and manage public programs and activities for adults and children that foster critical thinking, a sense of belonging, engagement in social justice, sustainability, and wellbeing in ways that connect them to the site's natural and historical resources in relevant and meaningful ways.
• Determine and develop programming in collaboration with the Executive Director and the Curator of Arts and Exhibition.
• Build trust and foster ongoing relationships with local community groups, schools, and organizations, especially those who may have previously felt excluded or disconnected from the work of the site.
• Collaborate with community members in the development and delivery of interpretation at the site.
• Position the site to integrate Justice, Equity, Diversity, Access, and Inclusion measures site wide as it relates to public programs and interpretation, and ensure metrics are tracked, targets are reached, and timely maturation of the site in these practices.
• Through interpretation and public programs, help grow visitation, engage new and repeat visitors, analyze, and evolve experiences.
• Ensure the National Trust agenda for historic sites and the strategic objectives of The Glass House Historic Site are met, including increased in-person and virtual participation, audience and revenue increases, and audience diversification.

Program Management

• Work with the Manager of Interpretation & Education to help recruit, hire, train, and supervise guides, volunteers and other staff related to public programming, education and interpretation. Develop workplans, organize workflow and delegate assignments; monitor employee productivity and performance, provide constructive feedback and coaching, and conduct annual performance reviews; work with management, direct reports and Office of Human Resources as needed to identify, respond to, and resolve problems or performance issues as they arise.
• Develop policies and procedures for interpretation, including a staff training manual and program. Develop, deliver, and maintain up-to-date interpretive training modules and resources.
• Oversee management of group and educational tour scheduling by appropriate staff.
• Conduct and oversee research on site history and share findings with site staff. This is especially important for themes related to the political and social history of the site's architect, residents and historic guests.
• Work with local Indigenous Tribal leadership to draft a land acknowledgment statement and incorporate the early history of this landscape into the interpretation of the 49-acre site.
• Provide oversight and programming of local mission-based and audience-centered programming, such as historical or social history lectures and facilitated discussions of relevant issues, featured either at The Glass House or the New Canaan Library. To be developed in cooperation with the Executive Director and the Curator.
• Coordinate with the New Canaan Historical Society on any co-sponsored programs such as October4Design or other special events.
• Manage the Glass House Oral History Project, collecting interviews with key historical figures from The Glass House's past.

Education Program

• The Glass House is planning to expand visitation and collaboration with schools in the local region. This will be a new project and the responsibility of the Director of I&E.
  • Assess local history, civics and art curriculums and develop programs and materials to provide to teachers and classrooms that support and align with the goals for those groups and The Glass House.
  • Build partnerships with schools in the Fairfield County and Westchester County areas.
  • Develop outreach plans for schools which are underfunded or underserved in the arts or social studies where programs of The Glass House would be beneficial to their educational goals.
  • Train educators/guides on best practices in program delivery and how to implement and communicate the educational tours and programs.
  • Work with the Manager of I&E to schedule school visits and assign trained educators for class visits.
• Work with Development to fundraise for educational programming, staffing and related materials. Assist in grant writing and foundation research.
• Develop relationships with local architecture and design programs at the undergraduate and graduate level, promoting visitation, research projects and possible internships.

Visitors Center

• Work with Manager of I&E to ensure that materials and visuals within the Visitors Center communicate core information and interpretive points, enhancing the visitors experience.
• Provide leadership and management of new interpretive planning periodically for the Visitors Center.

Marketing

• Collaborate with the Executive Director, Director of Communications, and headquarters staff in helping to obtain financial support through grants and other means, marketing, and communications about public programs and interpretation. Support donor stewardship and engagement by providing donor tours as necessary.
• Work with Glass House Director of Communications and headquarters marketing staff to draft narratives and promotional communications while ensuring that language and descriptions reflect the site's interpretive values. Provide guidance and programmatic content for ticketing, website and social media content, advertising and promotions, donor/sponsor/partners recognition, pricing and promotional discounts, etc.
• Work with the Manager of I&E and others to manage research, analysis, and reporting of audience statistics and program-related revenues.
• Along with the Executive Director and the Director of Communications, act as a spokesperson for the site and ensure interpretive alignment with National Trust brand and messaging.

QUALIFICATIONS

• At least 8 years of relevant experience in the field of history interpretation and/or museum education at historic sites, art centers, museums, or related organization, including at least 3 years of supervisory experience.
• Knowledge of The Glass House, Philip Johnson, or related Modernist architecture and design a plus.
• Demonstrated experience with the fundamentals and key practices of interpretation, including site interpretation for both adult and youth audiences.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and experience with public history, history, museum studies or equivalent work experience.
• Certified National Association for Interpretation Guide, Trainer and/or Planner and/or willingness to complete at least one of these trainings.
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills, including issue identification and prioritization .
• Advanced project-management skills, including project budgeting, staffing and planning. Ability to achieve results with limited supervision.
• Effective presentation skills. Excellent writing, spelling, grammar, and proofreading skills, as well as strong verbal communication and customer service skills. Strong organizational skills. Excellent attention to detail.
• Experience successfully managing key stakeholders and relationships. Proven ability to collaborate across departments to implement processes and achieve results. Track record of building and maintaining productive relationships with multiple stakeholders.
• When working onsite, public contact and ability to work successfully in close proximity to others required. When working off site, ability to work effectively in a remote environment, maintaining productivity and communications to meet deadlines and goals, is required.
• Demonstrated success in engaging culturally diverse colleagues and stakeholders. Bi-lingual language skills a plus. Ties to culturally diverse affinity groups, professional organizations, or related associations are a plus. Able to talk effectively about identities such as race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, class, ability, or gender in plain, specific terms as they relate to the workplace and cultural heritage.
• Ability to prioritize, multi-task efficiently and respond to a high volume of ongoing requests in a timely fashion. Ability to adapt and be flexible in a dynamic work environment. Ability to work effectively with frequent interruptions required. Able to handle frequently changing and/or unscheduled tasks with accuracy. Entrepreneurial spirit and skill set a plus.
• Proven ability to continually develop skills related to use of rapidly changing technology and communications best practices.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel required. Familiarity with other software, including databases, a plus. Experience with website, social media, and related communications software.
• Travel to other National Trust Sites or comparable sites, to local community events, to meetings in New York City occasionally, and visits to local schools is required. This will involve air travel, train use, and a personal vehicle.

PAY & BENEFITS

This is a full-time, exempt level position, eligible for full benefits, including health, dental and life insurance, retirement benefits, and 3+ weeks of vacation, plus sick time and holidays.

Hiring Range: $100,000- 110,000 per year

The National Trust for Historic Preservation an equal opportunity organization and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, veteran status, or disability. The National Trust for Historic Preservation actively seeks opportunities to include members of these groups in its programs and activities.

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