The Noguchi Museum—chartered as Isamu Noguchi Foundation and Garden Museum—was founded and designed by acclaimed artist Isamu Noguchi (1904–1988) for the display of his life’s work. Opened in 1985 and located in Long Island City, Queens, in a converted industrial building with a serene outdoor sculpture garden, the Museum is considered to be one of Noguchi’s greatest achievements. Today, the mission of the Museum is to advance the understanding and appreciation of Noguchi’s art and legacy. It manages the world’s most extensive collection of Noguchi’s artworks in addition to his complete archives and Catalogue Raisonné. Through its rich collection, exhibitions, and programming, the Museum facilitates scholarship and learning for audiences of all ages and backgrounds.
The Noguchi Museum is an equal opportunity employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, citizenship status, veteran status, disability or any other criterion specified by federal, state or local laws, in the administration of its employment policy. The Museum considers the diversity of its workforce to be vital to our organization’s success in meeting its mission. We strongly encourage applicants of all cultures, races, educational backgrounds, life experiences, socio-economic classes, sexual orientations, ages, genders, and physical abilities to apply.
Benefits
Full-time employees are eligible for benefits including a generous health insurance program including medical, dental, and vision, a 403(b) retirement savings plan with company match, paid time off, and other benefits.
Part-time employees receive pre-tax commuter benefits, as well as paid time off based on tenure, starting with three days per year.
The Isamu Noguchi Foundation and Garden Museum seeks a Part-Time Temporary Teen Programs Educator to lead its Teen Advisory Board [TAB] program from October 2024–May 2025 for a cohort of rising junior and senior high school students. The TAB program meets weekly on Wednesdays, 4–6 pm, at The Noguchi Museum in the Education Room (Level C) from November 6, 2024–May 7, 2025.
The ideal candidate will have experience working with teen audiences and a passion for guiding meaningful experiences through conversation and art-making. They have a strong pedagogical framework around art, inquiry-based, interdisciplinary, and culturally responsive teaching and prioritize inclusion and equity in all aspects of their work. They are reflective people with impeccable listening skills, and are confident public speakers. They value the role that art can play in an individual’s life, and center building relationships within and outside of the Museum.
The Teen Programs Educator position is part-time, one day per week on Wednesdays, 10:30 am–6:30 pm (8 hours with a 1 hour paid break) from October 2024–May 2025, and in-person at The Noguchi Museum in Long Island City, Queens and at off-site locations throughout New York City.
Educators must be reliable and punctual in reporting for scheduled work. Hours outside of the scheduled times are an occasional requirement of the position. Work is often performed in a gallery, studio, or public environment. The work often requires Educators to lift (up to 25 lbs.), bend, stoop, walk, speak, and stand for up to 7 hours in a day. The Museum will make accommodations for all physical abilities.
The Noguchi Museum strongly encourages all staff members to be fully vaccinated with an FDA authorized and/or approved COVID-19 vaccine.
Compensation
Part-Time Temporary Educators are paid bi-weekly at a set wage of $53.00 per hour. Benefits include pre-tax commuter benefits, paid safe and sick leave, and accrued vacation time.
The Noguchi Museum Education Department
The Education Department supports visitors of all ages, identities, and abilities as they establish meaningful relationships with the art, life, and vision of Isamu Noguchi and others. Programs are inquiry-based and encourage openness, exploration, and experimentation, emphasizing the creative potential of the individual. The Education Department prioritizes a co-creation model of programming where culture is dynamic, it belongs to everyone, and cultural choices are shared between the community and the Museum. Programs are facilitated in multiple languages, currently English, Japanese, and Spanish, and designed to be welcoming and accessible to neighbors in Queens and beyond.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Maintain knowledge of Isamu Noguchi’s art, life, and vision; as well as the Museum’s history, architecture, and current and future exhibitions.
- Lead the Teen Advisory Board [TAB], a school-year long, after-school program with a cohort of rising junior and senior high school students.
- Collaborate with the Education Department in developing and refining the goals and objectives for programming. Such goals and objectives will be discussed in regular meetings and evaluated through observations and performance reviews.
- Work with the Education Department to invite museum staff and arts professionals as guest speakers or collaborators in TAB.
- Work with the Education Department to engage external partners and local Queens-based community organizations in coordinating teen exchanges and partnerships that prioritize institutional justice, anti-racism, and equity in TAB.
- Submit material request orders and communicate classroom setup to the Manager of Education for art making sessions.
- Share weekly lesson plans with the Director of Education and engage in a reflective practice formally and informally with the team.
Experience, Skills, and Qualities
- Interest in the life, work, and vision of Isamu Noguchi.
- Experience in teaching teens and high school students in museum environments.
- Demonstrable knowledge of educational pedagogy, including inquiry-based methods, developmental theory, differentiated instruction, and culturally responsive curriculum design.
- Excellent communication skills, with confidence in public speaking.
- Strong reflective practice and committed to working with a collaborative team.
- Background in studio art and/or comfort in teaching with art materials.
- Multilingual abilities are a plus.
- BFA, BA, or commensurate experience in art education, museum education, social practice, or community engagement.
To Apply
Please send a résumé and cover letter as a single PDF to jobs@noguchi.org with “Teen Programs Educator” in the subject line.