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Museum of Fine Arts

Interpretive Planner

Boston, MA · On-site

$65K - $68K/yr

Reporting to, and working alongside, the Barbara & Theodore Alfond Director of Interpretation, the Interpretive Planner plays a leading role in shaping narrative and experience at the MFA. S/he works ...

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How much do interpretive planner jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for interpretive planner in the United States is $74,255.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $68,500.00 and $81,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an Interpretive Planner job?

An Interpretive Planner develops strategies to communicate information and tell engaging stories about cultural, historical, or natural sites. They create exhibits, signage, programs, and interactive experiences that help visitors understand and connect with a place or topic. This role involves research, collaboration with designers and subject matter experts, and ensuring that content is accessible and engaging for diverse audiences. Interpretive Planners often work for museums, parks, heritage sites, and visitor centers, balancing education with creativity to enhance public engagement.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Interpretive Planner position, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Interpretive Planner, you need expertise in interpretive design, educational programming, and project management, often supported by a degree in museum studies, history, environmental education, or a related field. Familiarity with exhibit design software (like Adobe Creative Suite or SketchUp), visitor evaluation methods, and industry standards such as the National Association for Interpretation certification is valuable. Excellent communication, creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving skills help you translate complex information into engaging visitor experiences. These abilities are crucial for successfully planning and delivering interpretive content that inspires, educates, and connects with diverse audiences.

What are some typical daily responsibilities of an Interpretive Planner?

As an Interpretive Planner, your typical day involves researching content, developing interpretive themes, collaborating with exhibit designers, and drafting interpretive plans for various projects such as museums, parks, or cultural sites. You might attend team meetings, consult with stakeholders, and review visitor feedback to refine educational materials and interactive experiences. The role also includes coordinating with curators, educators, and community groups to ensure accuracy and relevance. This dynamic and collaborative environment provides variety and the chance to see your work directly impact public engagement and learning.

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Interpretive Planner jobs near you
Infographic showing various Interpretive Planner job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 3% As Needed, 59% Full Time, 35% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 1% Nights, and 1% Summer. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $74,255 per year, or $35.7 per hour.

Interpretive Planner

Museum of Fine Arts

Boston, MA • On-site

$65K - $68K/yr

Full-time

Posted 6 days ago

Job description

Position Overview:

Reporting to, and working alongside, the Barbara & Theodore Alfond Director of Interpretation, the Interpretive Planner plays a leading role in shaping narrative and experience at the MFA. S/he works collaboratively across divisions including Exhibitions, Curatorial, Audience Experience and Engagement, Marketing and Communications, Design, and IT to envision, prototype, implement, and evaluate interpretative strategies and materials for the general visitor, both for specific exhibitions and gallery installations.


Essential Functions:


Oversee and coordinate the development of interpretive plans, learning outcomes, and content outlines for temporary exhibitions and permanent collection installations, as assigned by the Director of Interpretation.


For assigned projects, create with curators (and other interpretation staff as appropriate/ assigned) all written wall text, object labels, gallery guides and brochures for diverse audiences, for exhibitions, gallery installations, and rotations of works of art in the Museum’s galleries.


In collaboration with Communications, Curatorial, IT and Design departments, play a leading role in the development of content and format for electronic media (audio and multi-media tours, touch-screen interactives, web features, and other devices) for assigned projects.


In collaboration with Design and other members of Audience Experience and Engagement, design and create analog interactives that support visitor experience in exhibitions and permanent collection galleries for assigned projects.


Contribute to audience research efforts at the Museum. For select projects, research visitor response to interpretative approaches to determine the effectiveness of these materials. Analyze and brief MFA staff on research findings as appropriate.


Serve as a key member on the content team on Table of Voices projects, attending all meetings for assigned projects and implementing feedback from the participants where appropriate. As needed, help organize and facilitate Table of Voices projects.


Secondary Functions:

Stay abreast of developments in the fields of art museum interpretation and evaluation through readings, contacts with colleagues at other institutions; and occasional benchmarking travel and conferences.


Serve on Department and Museum-wide teams as requested.


Perform other duties as required or directed.

Requirements and Characteristics:

  • Bachelors’ degree required, Master’s degree preferred
  • Knowledge of art history preferred
  • 3-5 years experience of comparable work within a complex organization working with diverse stakeholders. Art museum experience preferred.
  • Superior written and oral communication skills.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to lead consensus-building with diverse groups.
  • Experience working collaboratively, one-on-one, and in teams.
  • Strong research skills
  • Experience editing and proofreading with a high degree of accuracy while adhering to institutional voice.
  • Demonstrated experience working on multiple projects simultaneously.
  • Strong project management experience.
  • Self-starter with a desire to experiment and build systems.

The Museum reserves the right to change job descriptions. While this job description is intended to include essential duties, it is conceivable that job duties may change before the job description is officially revised.



Salary Range:

Full-Time Salary

Starting salary: $65,000 - $68,000

This position is affiliated with the United Auto Worker's Union.




The MFA is an equal opportunity employer. The community and audience we serve is diverse, and we wish to foster that diversity in our workplace. Toward that end, the MFA does not discriminate against individuals in hiring, employment or promotion on the basis of race, religion, color, sex/gender, gender identity and gender expression, age, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, citizenship, handicap or disability, veteran or military status, political belief, pregnancy, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law.

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