Content Specialist
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
The mission of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is to welcome all to celebrate the American spirit in a setting that unites the power of art with the beauty of nature. Founded by philanthropist and arts patron Alice Walton, Crystal Bridges is a public non-profit charitable organization.
Job Description:
Position Title: Content Specialist
Position Type: Full-Time
FLSA Classification: Exempt
Division: Content Strategy
Department: Brand Strategy & Communications
Reports to: Content Manager, Editorial & Marketing
Compensation Range: $44,000 - $52,500
About Crystal Bridges & The Momentary:
Crystal Bridges is a museum of American art located in Bentonville, Arkansas. We explore the unfolding story of America by actively collecting, exhibiting, interpreting, and preserving outstanding works that illuminate the American heritage and artistic possibilities. Founded by Alice Walton in 2005, the museum opened in 2011 and is a public, non-profit charitable organization with free admission.
The Momentary is a venue for the music, art, and food of our time, and a catalyst for creativity and economic vitality. An extension to Crystal Bridges, the Momentary is a ‘living room’ where community gathers to be inspired, connected, and joyful.
Position Summary:
Under the direction of the Content Strategy Director, the Content Specialist works collaboratively with the Brand Strategy & Communications (BSC) team to develop and execute copywriting, content marketing, interpretation, and editorial efforts as part of Crystal Bridges and the Momentary’s overall brand communications strategies.
This position is part of the institution’s Content Strategy team, which provides editorial planning, copywriting, content marketing, copyediting, interpretation, and bilingual (Spanish) editorial support for the institution. The Content Specialist, as part of this team, pitches, maintains, and develops a variety of written content for assigned projects to drive awareness, create opportunities for engagement and education, and inspire action among Crystal Bridges and the Momentary’s audiences. This role assists the team in implementing and iterating on the institution’s overall content strategy and seeks out opportunities to use content and storytelling to enhance the guest experience.
Principal Responsibilities
- Create, maintain, and pitch content for a variety of owned, earned, and paid channels as part of the BSC team’s copywriting, content marketing, interpretation, and editorial content efforts. This includes pitching, writing, adapting, and editing content to fit a variety of communication needs as assigned by the Content Strategy Director.
- Create content that meaningfully recognizes cultural milestones and observances throughout the year, staying on top of significant cultural moments, current events, and/or art-related news topics and pitching relevant content to fit the institutional mission and brand communications strategies.
- Work with the Content Strategy team to adapt and implement content strategies to effectively reach desired target audiences and achieve content, business, and marketing goals.
- Work to help develop and maintain messaging frameworks for various Crystal Bridges and Momentary departments and initiatives, ensuring consistency with the institutional mission and brand communications strategies.
- Audit and evaluate existing content to maintain an up-to-date working knowledge of the content and asset libraries related to assigned departments and campaigns.
- Identify visuals and multimedia assets for each piece of assigned content, working with respective team members to collect, produce, and share assets.
- Assist with the Content Strategy team and broader BSC efforts with planning and content development by working with subject matter experts and other museum departments to stay up to date on content stakeholder goals, needs, and initiatives.
- Help to maintain an overarching content calendar for editorial and content marketing efforts.
- Work with the Content Strategy team and the wider BSC team to ensure that content initiatives adhere to basic DEIA fundamentals, anti-racist practices, and accessibility best practices by helping implement and maintain a collaborative inclusion strategy.
- Advocate for content that invites multiple voices, honors lived experience and attends to absence.
Minimum Qualifications
Education, Training, and Traits
- Degree with coursework in English, Spanish, Journalism, Marketing, Communications, Advertising, or related field.
- Ability to understand and maintain the highest levels of confidentiality and discretion.
- Belief in the museum as a cause for social good; a commitment to working in an institution that actively strives to be antiracist; and a dedication to creating welcoming, engaging, and accessible experiences for all audiences.
Work Experience
- 2-3 years’ experience in content marketing, copywriting, communications, social media, journalism, marketing, or creative services.
- Working in an “in-house agency” or advertising agency experience a plus.
- Experience contributing to integrated marketing campaign from ideation, development, messaging, and activation through measurement.
- Published writing on digital or editorial platforms is a plus. Please share a portfolio or personal website if applicable.
- A knowledge of art and art history terms is a plus.
- Experience with SEO and/or digital media production is a plus.
Skills and Abilities
- Excellent English reading, writing, and grammar skills.
- Strong creative writing skills for marketing, advertising, informative, and general communications purposes.
- Able to understand complex information and communicate it to a wide audience.
- Excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
- Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
- Proven success in meeting deadlines within fast-paced working environments.
- Self-directed and able to work well independently while also able to collaborate in a team environment.
- Flexible and adaptable mindset; able to respond positively to and learn from constructive criticism and feedback.
- Proficient with MS Office Suite and Google Suite. Familiar with basic CMS software (WordPress, etc.).
- Good knowledge of various content platforms such as social media, blogs, email, and print media.
- A knowledge of art and art history terms is a plus.
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 accommodations 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 accommodations may be reviewed and evaluated in the case of exhibitions exceeding noise levels. Some overnight travel may be necessary.