Additional Info

• Lead interpretive program planning for exhibitions in collaboration with the Curator to ensure content and interpretive techniques best meet audiences’ needs.
• Activate the Community Studio; collaborate with teaching artists and contractual educators to support classes and community programs.
• Pursue partnerships with other like-minded organizations locally and state-wide, including but not limited to the Kearney Cultural Partners, Rowe Sanctuary, Sheldon Museum of Art, Bemis Center for Contemporary Art, Joslyn Art Museum, and others.
• Manage, recruit, and train volunteers to support department activities and events. These volunteers should be considered independent from the MONA Docents, who largely support tours via the Tour and Outreach Coordinator.
• Maintain program schedules, attendance records, and departmental statistics

• Support the Tour and Outreach Coordinator with tours and programming as needed.
• In collaboration with the Executive Director and the Tour and Outreach Coordinator: organize and manage annual public events and programs, including MONA Makers Day and the student art show; develop and manage the department’s annual budget; and develop the Learning & Engagement vision with clear goals and measurable outcomes.
• Jointly serve as liaison to the University of Nebraska at Kearney faculty and staff, including but not limited to the Art Department, Education Department, and other partnering faculty on curriculum-related opportunities.
• Contribute to grant applications and fundraising materials in coordination with Development and the Tour and Outreach Coordinator.
• Jointly serve as department liaison to the Education Committee of the Board of Directors.
• Represent the department at public events, conferences, in the media, and in other circumstances as needed.

The Programming Coordinator requires expertise and experience in museum education, curriculum development, community engagement, and program management, along with the ability to design inclusive learning experiences that align with educational standards and support diverse audiences. Success in this role depends on communication, partnership-building, project implementation, and creative skills, as well as the ability to collaborate effectively with educators, artists, volunteers, community organizations, and museum staff.

The Programming Coordinator regularly makes active decisions regarding the implementation, and evaluation of educational programs, public events to ensure alignment with the museum’s mission, audience needs, and available resources. Typical problems solved include adapting programs to serve diverse learners, building and maintaining community partnerships, addressing program participation and accessibility challenges, supervising volunteers, and determining effective educational and interpretive approaches for exhibitions activities.

The Programming Coordinator holds some influence within the Museum of Nebraska Art by working closely with the Executive Director and the Tours and Outreach Coordinator in following the vision, priorities, and direction for educational, interpretive, and community engagement activities. Decisions made in this role directly affect program quality, audience engagement, community partnerships, resource allocation, and the achievement of the museum’s strategic goals, while also shaping the museum’s public reputation and impact throughout Nebraska.

Within the broader University of Nebraska at Kearney community, the position influences collaboration between MONA and academic departments, faculty, students, and community partners by creating educational opportunities, supporting curriculum-related initiatives, and fostering meaningful connections between the museum and the university. The role's decisions help expand access to arts education, strengthen community engagement, and enhance cultural and experiential learning opportunities for both the campus and the region.

Determined within a relatively short period of time

This position is has an advisory accountability for developing, managing, monitoring, and making recommendations regarding the department’s annual budget, ensuring resources are allocated effectively to support educational programs, public engagement initiatives, staffing, and strategic priorities. The budget ranges from $30,000 to $60,000 for the Education Division, and the Programmer is responsible for a portion of that.

Minimal

This position maintains infrequent but ongoing contact with a small range of internal and external stakeholders to support educational programming, community engagement, and organizational goals. This position collaborates regularly with museum leadership, curatorial staff, and the Learning & Engagement Board Committee, to plan programs that advance strategic initiatives.

This position reports directly to the Executive Director of the Museum of Nebraska Art and operates with a high degree of independence in managing programming. The Executive Director provides overall strategic direction, establishes organizational priorities, and reviews major initiatives, budgets, and outcomes, while the Learning & Engagement team is entrusted with independently implementing, and evaluating educational programs, community engagement activities, partnerships, and day-to-day departmental operations.

No

Office,Classroom

Some chemical exposure to paint, and other clay particulates for pottery making