Job Description:

Director of Curriculum and Instruction

Position Summary:

The Director of Curriculum and Arts Integration provides bold and visionary leadership in shaping dynamic, arts-integrated content that transforms K-12 learning experiences. This role drives innovative approaches to teacher professional development, student-centered gallery-based programs, and classroom resources, forging deep and meaningful connections to American art both in schools and at the museum. By prioritizing quality, creativity, and innovation, the Director ensures that Crystal Bridges’ educational initiatives inspire and empower educators and students alike.

Leading a team that includes the K-12 museum educators and two managers of curriculum and instruction, the Director ensures that all teacher- and student-facing content is seamlessly aligned and impactful. This position champions cutting-edge arts integration practices, advancing how the museum connects its collection and exhibitions to the evolving needs of classrooms and communities.

Working in close collaboration with the School Partnerships team, the Director ensures that the Curriculum and Instruction’s team’s work supports the strategic goals of school-based partnerships while maintaining the museum’s commitment to high-quality, object-centered, and arts-integrated resources.

The Director provides critical insights to shape and inform the museum’s priorities, contributing to a broader vision that balances educational excellence with access, inclusion, and innovation. By developing scalable and transformative educational content, this role expands access to the museum’s resources and fosters re-imagined learning opportunities for diverse audiences.

With a focus on leading-edge, object-driven, gallery-based instruction, the Director ensures that the museum’s offerings remain groundbreaking, immersive, and rooted in the power of direct engagement with works of art.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the strategic development of curriculum and educational experiences for teachers and students, aligning all content with state and national standards, and leveraging the museum's unique pillars—American art, nature, architecture, and wellbeing—to create holistic and transformative learning experiences

• Oversee the creation of teacher resources (professional development content, curriculum guides) and student experiences (gallery-based learning, field trips).
• Shape leading-edge, object-focused, gallery-based instruction by developing innovative approaches that leverage the museum’s collection to create immersive, inquiry-driven learning experiences, ensuring the highest standards of engagement for students and educators.

• Lead and support the two Curriculum and Instruction Managers in achieving their objectives.

• Partner with the School Partnerships team to ensure alignment between arts-integrated content and the strategic goals of school-based programs, supporting programmatic needs without duplicating efforts.

• Lead on the development of K-12 digital learning initiatives, identifying and implementing cutting-edge educational technologies, including AI, to enhance student and teacher engagement
• Collaborate with curators, content strategy teams, artists, studio program team and museum educators to integrate exhibitions and the museum’s collection into all educational resources.

• Evaluate the effectiveness of educational content, using feedback to drive continuous improvement.

Qualifications and Skills:

• Master’s degree (or higher) in Education, Curriculum Design, Arts Administration, or a related field.

• At least 5 years of experience in educational leadership with a focus on content creation for both teacher and student audiences.

• Proven expertise in developing curriculum, experiential learning materials, and professional development resources.

• Strong knowledge of gallery-based learning, K-12 education standards, and arts integration best practices.

• Exceptional collaboration, leadership, and strategic thinking skills.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Valid driver’s license required

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Physical demands: In the work environments described below, position requires utilizing a computer and telephone for prolonged periods of time, interpersonal and written conversation with others, transporting (up to 10 lbs.).
• Work Environment: Work will be performed in an office environment and in museum spaces. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate. Reasonable accommodation may be reviewed and evaluated in the case of exhibitions exceeding noise levels. Some overnight travel may be necessary.