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Position Summary

The Director of Learning & Engagement (Director) will serve as a visionary force behind The Joslyn Art Museum’s dynamic and expanding portfolio of education and public engagement initiatives, from school partnerships and tours to lectures and community outreach. The Director will drive a bold, forward-looking strategy that elevates innovative, audience-centered programming and amplifies The Joslyn’s mission and impact. With a collaborative, people‑first approach, the Director will cultivate meaningful relationships with staff, educators, artists, and community partners, while championing inclusive and inspiring experiences that ignite curiosity, foster connection, and broaden access to art for diverse and evolving audiences.

Organization

The Joslyn Art Museum is a leading cultural institution and the largest art museum in Nebraska, dedicated to connecting people with art across time and cultures. Located in Omaha, The Joslyn stewards a collection of more than 12,000 objects representing 5,000 years of human creativity, encompassing American, European, and global traditions. Founded in 1931 as a gift to the community from Sarah H. Joslyn in memory of her husband, George, The Joslyn remains committed to public access and engagement, offering free general admission and serving as a welcoming resource for audiences of all backgrounds. The Joslyn’s mission, to bring people together to explore art across time and cultures, guides its work as a civic and cultural anchor for the region.

The Joslyn’s architecturally significant campus blends three distinctive buildings that together create a unified and evolving museum experience. The original Joslyn Building, an extraordinary Art Deco landmark that opened in 1931, established The Joslyn as both a civic gift and a work of architectural significance. The 58,000-square-foot Suzanne & Walter Scott Pavilion, completed in 1994 and designed by Norman Foster, marked The Joslyn’s first major expansion, introducing soaring interior spaces and a dramatic glass atrium. Most recently, the 42,000-square-foot Rhonda & Howard Hawks Pavilion, designed by international architectural firm Snøhetta, opened as part of a transformative campus expansion, adding approximately 16,000 square feet of gallery space along with new studios, gathering areas, and visitor amenities. Together, these buildings expand access to art while creating a dynamic, welcoming environment that connects galleries and community spaces.

Through a robust program of exhibitions, educational initiatives, and community partnerships, The Joslyn engages audiences of all ages and backgrounds while amplifying diverse artistic voices and perspectives. In 2025, The Joslyn welcomed more than 200,000 visitors from all 50 states and 62 countries, hosted 10 temporary exhibitions, and acquired 154 artworks, further strengthening its collection and reach. Of those visitors, more than 100,000 individuals participated in Learning & Engagement programs designed to connect audiences with The Joslyn’s exhibitions, collections, campus, and community.

The Joslyn’s Learning & Engagement Department offers a wide range of programs for all ages, abilities, and interests, including free monthly community events, public tours in English, Spanish, and ASL, school tours, lectures, and collaborative programs with local arts and community organizations. Grounded in a commitment to access and inclusion, these initiatives are developed in partnership with community stakeholders and across museum departments to ensure meaningful engagement and broad participation. Through this work, and with national and international recognition for its leadership, innovation, and community impact, The Joslyn continues to evolve as a place where art, community, and creativity come together to enrich lives and strengthen civic vitality.

The Joslyn Art Museum has a 27-member board of governors. The Director of Learning & Engagement reports to Jack Becker, Executive Director & CEO, and oversees a department of 25 full-time and part-time staff members and contractors, including four direct reports: the Head of Community Programs, Head of School & Teacher Programs, Head of Studio Programs, and Head of Kent Bellow Mentoring Program. For the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025, The Joslyn reported total revenue of $9.9 million. The projected revenue for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026, is $10.3 million.

Sources: edited from joslyn.org; propublica.org

Community

Located on the Missouri River on the eastern border of Nebraska, Omaha acts as a gateway between the agricultural Midwest and the High Plains to the west. Omaha is the largest city in Nebraska and home to more than 480,000 residents, anchoring a metropolitan area of nearly one million people. As the economic and cultural center of the region, Omaha is known for its diverse economy spanning finance, transportation, healthcare, and technology, alongside a strong tradition of civic leadership and community investment. The city offers a high quality of life with affordable living, welcoming neighborhoods, and a growing reputation as a destination for both businesses and families.

Omaha combines historic character with modern development, featuring distinct districts such as the Old Market, where brick streets, local restaurants, galleries, and boutiques create a vibrant urban experience. Residents benefit from an extensive park system, riverfront redevelopment, and recreational amenities that support an active lifestyle year-round. The city’s central location and accessibility enhance its appeal, connecting residents to regional and national destinations while maintaining a strong sense of local identity.

Arts and culture are integral to Omaha’s community fabric. In addition to The Joslyn, a vibrant network of organizations, including Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, Opera Omaha, Omaha Performing Arts, KANEKO, Lauritzen Gardens & Botanical Center, The Durham Museum, and the Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts, anchors the city’s creative life and provides diverse opportunities for cultural engagement. The City of Omaha supports a wide range of cultural initiatives, public art, and community events that celebrate creativity and foster inclusion. Through partnerships among municipal leadership, cultural organizations, educational institutions, and nonprofits, Omaha continues to strengthen its cultural ecosystem. With its blend of economic vitality, cultural richness, and community commitment, Omaha provides an inspiring environment for leaders seeking to contribute to a dynamic and evolving city.

Sources: cityofomaha.org; census.gov

Roles and Responsibilities

Strategic Vision

• Develop and lead the strategic vision for The Joslyn’s Learning & Engagement Department, aligning programs with the institution’s mission, exhibitions, collections, and community priorities.
• Inspire innovative, inclusive, and accessible learning experiences for audiences of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds.
• Champion community-centered program development that reflects local needs, fosters belonging, and expands access to the arts.
• Integrate exhibitions, collections, buildings, and gardens into cohesive educational and interpretive experiences.
• Serve as a key thought partner across departments to embed learning and engagement into institutional planning and initiatives.
• Embrace other strategic vision responsibilities as needed.

Team Leadership and Operations

• Lead, mentor, and support the Learning & Engagement team in developing and delivering high-quality programs and visitor experiences.
• Oversee the planning and execution of a wide range of programs, including public tours, school tours, lectures, performances, studio classes, and community events.
• Guide the development of multimedia and interpretive content that enhances visitor engagement and educational impact.
• Collaborate with curatorial, exhibitions, and other departments to design and implement exhibition-related programming, including lectures, performances, and hands-on activities.
• Build and sustain partnerships with community organizations, schools, artists, and peer institutions to expand reach and deepen impact.
• Develop and implement strategies to increase access and participation, particularly for underserved and target audiences.
• Ensure the successful coordination of K–12 and lifelong learning initiatives, aligning programs with curriculum standards and community interests.
• Incorporate community input into program and exhibition development, including engagement with advisory committees and key stakeholders.
• Oversee evaluation and assessment of programs, using data and feedback to inform continuous improvement and demonstrate impact.
• Manage departmental budgets, resources, and staffing to ensure effective and sustainable operations.
• Represent The Joslyn in public, professional, and community settings, advocating for learning and engagement initiatives.
• Embrace other team leadership and operations responsibilities as needed.

Traits and Characteristics

The Director of Learning and Education will be a collaborative, people-centered leader who is motivated by service and committed to creating meaningful, inclusive learning experiences for diverse audiences. Resourceful and results-oriented, they will maximize the effective use of time, talent, and institutional resources while maintaining a strong focus on impact and accountability. Guided by a balanced and thoughtful approach, they will value multiple perspectives and foster a harmonious environment that supports creativity, access, and engagement. Highly interactive and relationship-driven, they will build trust across staff, educators, community partners, and learners, while remaining adaptable and versatile in a dynamic setting that requires frequent shifts in priorities. With a strong orientation toward audience needs and experiences, they will demonstrate consistency, sound judgment, and the ability to translate vision into responsive, high-quality programs that advance The Joslyn’s mission.

Other key competencies include:

• Teamwork and Understanding Others – The capability to cooperate to meet objectives while understanding the uniqueness and contributions of others.
• Time and Priority Management – The organizational acumen to prioritize and complete tasks to deliver desired outcomes within allotted time frames.
• Planning and Organizing – The ability to establish courses of action to ensure that work is completed effectively.
• Employee Development and Coaching – The capacity to facilitate, support, and contribute to the professional growth of others.
• Diplomacy and Leadership – The aptitude to organize and influence people to believe in a vision while creating a strong sense of purpose and direction, and to effectively and tactfully handle difficult or sensitive issues.

Qualifications

A master’s degree in education, museum studies, or a related field is desired, along with five to seven years of progressively responsible experience in museum education, including demonstrated leadership experience. A proven ability to develop and implement innovative educational programs, contribute to institutional strategy and senior leadership initiatives, and effectively manage and build diverse teams of paid staff and volunteers is essential. The Director will possess strong interpersonal, team-building, organizational, planning, and financial management skills, as well as a solid understanding of learning and curriculum development principles across a range of ages and program types. Flexibility to work varied hours, including evenings and weekends, is required, along with the ability to pass an extensive background check and adhere to organizational policies and procedures.

Compensation and Benefits

The Joslyn provides a competitive and equitable compensation package with an estimated salary range of $100,000 to $110,000 with the potential for an annual bonus. Benefits include a comprehensive health plan offering medical (PPO), prescription, and dental coverage, as well as voluntary vision coverage. Employer-paid benefits include basic life insurance and short-term disability coverage. Retirement savings are supported through a 403(b) plan with a 50% employer match on employee contributions up to 7% of annual salary (with employer contributions beginning after one year).

Applications and Inquiries

To submit a cover letter and resume with a summary of demonstrable accomplishments (electronic submissions preferred), please visit https://artsconsulting.com/opensearches/the-joslyn-art-museum-seeks-director-of-learning-engagement/

Email TheJoslyn@ArtsConsulting.com

The Joslyn is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of The Joslyn that all applicants and employees are entitled to equal employment opportunity regardless of sex, race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, pregnancy, leave status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, and/or any other characteristic or status protected by national, federal, state, or local law. The Joslyn is dedicated to cultivating an inclusive work environment. This policy applies to all aspects of employment, such as hiring, promotion, and training, and aims to prevent retaliation against individuals engaged in protected activities.