Job Description:

Position Title: Manager of Curriculum and Instruction, K-12 Students

Position Type: Full-Time

FLSA Classification: Exempt

Division: Learning and Engagement Division

Department: School Programs

Reports to: Sr. Director of Learning

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. The Momentary enriches lives through music, art, and food experiences that inspire creativity, build community, and create joy. You belong here, make the most of this moment.

Position Summary:

The Manager of Curriculum and Instruction, K-12 Students leads a high-performing team of museum educators, driving innovative, standards-aligned learning experiences that position Crystal Bridges as a national leader in object-based, gallery-centered education. Reporting to the Sr. Director of Learning and collaborating closely with the School Programs Leadership Team, this role ensures that all K–12 engagements—onsite, in classrooms, and online—reflect the museum’s commitment to excellence, innovation, and impact.

With deep expertise in art history and museum pedagogy, the Manager plays a critical role in shaping interpretive strategies, partnering with curatorial teams to develop learning experiences that bring American art to life through diverse, student-centered perspectives. The Manager champions bold, inclusive teaching practices that empower educators and inspire students—redefining how
young people engage with art in museum spaces and beyond.

Principal Responsibilities:

• Lead and supervise a cohort of Museum Educators, ensuring high-quality, mission-aligned facilitation of student engagements and educational experiences. Provide coaching, support, and accountability for instructional excellence.
• Develop gallery-based curriculum and instructional resources aligned with educational standards and rooted in American art, art history, and interdisciplinary connections.
• Design and deliver professional development that builds educator knowledge of the collection, strengthens facilitation skills, and reflects best practices in museum education.
• Collaborate with curatorial teams, contributing pedagogical and art historical expertise to exhibition development, interpretation, and gallery teaching strategies.
• Ensure strategic alignment by working with the Strategic Operations team to manage scheduling, workload distribution, and outreach data collection.
• Cultivate school and district partnerships in collaboration with the Sr. Director of Learning and contribute to internal and external education networks.
• Support educator-facing programs including summer institutes and teacher workshops, in collaboration with the School Programs Leadership Team.
• Use data and feedback to assess and improve teaching practices, in partnership with the Strategic Operations Manager for School Programs.
• Elevate the impact of Museum Educators by championing their work across the institution and advocating for the role of teaching in museum spaces.
• Stay current on trends in museum education, instructional design, and K–12 education policy to inform ongoing innovation.
• Develop and package educational offerings for student and teacher audiences, ensuring programs are clearly communicated, accessible, and aligned with audience needs. Collaborate on marketing and write compelling copy that reflects the museum’s voice and mission.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in art education, art history, studio art, education, museum studies, or equivalent degree/experience required; Master’s degree preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of American art history required; knowledge of art, architecture, nature, and wellness is preferred.
• A minimum of three years’ experience teaching a range of ages in school or community settings. Three years’ experience developing curriculum, presenting professional development or public speaking.
• Arkansas driver’s license

Additional Mindsets and Skills:

• Proactively enacts and models team building and collaboration.
• Understanding museum education theory and practice.
• Experienced and effective public speaker, with outstanding facilitation skills.
• Knowledge of culturally responsive teaching and differentiated instruction.
• Detail-oriented and efficient.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently, as well as within a team.
• Ability and willingness to work weekends and evenings, as required.
• Ability to effectively multitask in a fast-paced environment.
• Flexibility, creativity and a good sense of humor.
• Fluency in another language is desirable.

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: The position requires verbal and written conversation with others, sitting, standing, walking, bending, climbing, reaching, strenuous lifting/moving objects up to 25 pounds and use of hands to manipulate, handle or feel objects, tools or controls. Vision abilities required by the job include close vision and color perception.
• Work Environment: Work will be performed in an office environment, museum spaces, construction site, and in communities served. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate. Position requires some independent overnight travel for research, professional meetings and other travel as necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of the position.

All offers of employment are contingent on your successful completion (where permitted by state law) of a confidentiality agreement and background check. In addition, you will need to provide proper identification verifying your eligibility to work in the United States.

Crystal Bridges is an equal opportunity employer committed to building and maintaining a culturally diverse workplace that is free of discrimination and harassment of any kind. We encourage women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate.