Museum Educator (Part-time)

About the Organization

The International Center of Photography (ICP) is a premier institution focused on photography and visual culture. Since 1974, it has presented more than 700 exhibitions and delivered thousands of courses across all skill levels. Its Lower East Side location combines the museum and school in one integrated space and serves as a cultural hub within Essex Crossing.

Role Overview

The Museum Educator helps create inclusive, engaging, and accessible learning experiences that connect visitors of all ages with ICP’s exhibitions and mission. The role involves leading gallery tours, hands-on programs, workshops, and other interpretive activities for school groups, community organizations, higher education partners, and general visitors.

In close partnership with the Senior Manager of Youth Programs, the School & Tour Programs Coordinator, Curatorial, Public Engagement, and other teams, this position supports exhibition interpretation through inquiry-based teaching, audience engagement, and thoughtful storytelling. The educator also contributes to educational resources, accessibility efforts, and programming that strengthens understanding of photography and visual culture.

Key Responsibilities

The role requires a confident educator and public speaker who can work with diverse audiences and bring strong knowledge of photography or visual culture to the museum setting.

Museum Education and Public Programs

• Design and lead interactive gallery tours and educational experiences for K-12 groups, college audiences, community groups, and public visitors.
• Facilitate exhibition tours, private guided visits, and hands-on learning sessions that encourage discussion, close looking, and creative participation.
• Adjust teaching methods to support varied ages, learning preferences, accessibility requirements, and audience needs.
• Work with the Senior Manager of Youth Programs, Curatorial, and Public Engagement teams to shape exhibition interpretation and learning content for each exhibition cycle.
• Help plan and deliver public programs, workshops, and other educational activities as needed.

Program Development and Learning Materials

• Create educational tools such as gallery activities, educator guides, lesson plans, and interpretive materials.
• Contribute to accessibility projects, including audio guides and other resources that improve exhibition access.
• Study current practices in museum education and share ideas for new programs and visitor engagement approaches.
• Assist with the Educator Open House and outreach efforts that build connections with schools and teaching professionals.

School and Community Partnerships

• Support K-12 school visits, advance planning, and guided group experiences in coordination with the School & Tour Programs Coordinator.
• Hold pre-visit conversations with teachers and school partners when required.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with educators, community groups, artists, and institutional partners.
• Represent ICP positively while delivering a strong visitor experience.

Operations and Cross-Functional Support

• Partner with Visitor Experience, Education, Curatorial, Operations, Marketing, and other departments to ensure programs run smoothly.
• Assist with program setup, visitor arrival, facilitation, and teardown.
• Help manage tour schedules, education calendars, and ticketing details when needed.
• Review participant feedback and evaluation results to guide future program improvements.
• Communicate clearly and promptly with teammates and external partners.
• Take on additional responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional background in Art Education, Museum Studies, Art History, Photography, Visual Culture, Arts Administration, or a related discipline.
• At least 2 years of experience in museum education, arts education, teaching, public programming, or a similar educational environment.
• Hands-on experience leading educational programs for both youth and adult audiences.
• Solid understanding of photography, photographic processes, and/or visual culture.
• Prior work creating lesson plans, gallery activities, curriculum, or other educational materials is preferred.
• Experience teaching photography or visual arts is preferred.
• Background in accessibility-focused or inclusive educational programming is an added advantage.

Core Competencies

• Strong presentation and facilitation abilities.
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills.
• Ability to develop positive relationships with students, educators, coworkers, artists, and visitors.
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail.
• Comfortable working independently as well as in collaborative, fast-moving settings.
• Flexible, creative, and learner-centered teaching style.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion.
• Additional language ability, especially Spanish, Mandarin, or Cantonese, is beneficial.

Working Conditions

This role includes physical and scheduling demands that are necessary to perform the job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be available for individuals with disabilities.

• Ability to stand or remain in place for extended periods while leading programs or preparing materials.
• Ability to move through galleries, classrooms, and public areas for long stretches of time.
• Ability to occasionally lift and carry educational supplies and equipment up to 25 pounds, and at times up to 50 pounds.
• Availability to work occasional evenings and weekends for programs and special events.

Compensation and Benefits

The hourly pay range for this position is $31.00 to $36.00.

Eligible part-time employees may receive a benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage with employer contributions and HRA support where applicable; employer-paid life insurance; short- and long-term disability; Employee Assistance Program; a 403(b) retirement plan with employer match up to 5% after one year of eligible service; pre-tax commuter benefits; flexible spending accounts; paid sick leave; applicable paid holidays; free or discounted museum admission; staff discounts; access to employee perk programs; and professional development opportunities such as tuition-free ICP courses and discounted education programs for employees and eligible dependents.

Equal Opportunity Statement

ICP is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential to its mission of creating an open forum for dialogue around photography and visual culture that is accessible to all. The organization aims to engage, educate, and inspire visitors, students, employees, and the broader community.