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The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Interpretation Research Fellow
NYFA
Queens, NY, United States
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Description
The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Interpretation Research Fellow (the Fellow) supports the
expansion of current interpretative tools for the Queen’s Museum’s (QM’s) permanent
collection, through a combination of art history knowledge and training, an understanding of
museum and educational learning theories, and sensitivity to the variety of learning
preferences and interpretive perspectives of diverse audiences. The Fellow will gain
experience in various interpretive perspectives, such as cultural, social, historical, aesthetic
and scientific through a full range of interpretive experiences that include written texts, audio
recordings, film, object making, teaching and the creation of online tools aimed at adults,
children and families. The Fellowship is a supervised environment where a future interpretive
educator can gain hands-on experience and confidence for a career.
Responsibilities
The Fellow will play a critical role in creating interpretation tools that provide multiple points
of entry into the contents of QM’s permanent installations and ongoing temporary
exhibitions, through a variety of digital and non-digital engagement initiatives, including new
websites, audio recordings, texts in the galleries, interactive digital tools in the galleries, and
hands-on activities for children and families. The permanent installations include The
Panorama of the City of New York, Neustadt Collection of Tiffany Glass and The Watershed
Model of New York City. This is a research-based position, where suitable engagement
initiatives will be determined through data gathered from public focus groups and visitor
surveys. We see interpretation as a formative process in which texts, interactive digital tools,
hands-on activities and other interpretative tools will be field-tested through interviews and
observation of visitor behavior and updated and/or altered based on research results. The
fellow will work in collaboration with the Director of Education, the Media Relations
Department, QM curators, and educators at the New York City Department of Environmental
Protection.
Requirements:
- Participate in the development and facilitation of interpretation research, including
focus groups, visitor interviews, gallery observations and monitoring online visitors
- Analyze and present interpretation research data
- Participate in the conceptualization and development of how QM’s permanent
installations and temporary exhibitions can best be represented on the QM website
- Participate in the conceptualization and development of other web-based interpretive
strategies, including interactive games, web videos, and more
- Write object-based and historically-based entries for websites and wall texts and
labels
- Create content (audio, text and video) about the QM’s permanent collection for online
and mobile use
- Analyze qualitative and quantitative data and write reports
- Make presentation to the QM’s educators on the QM’s permanent installations
- Participate in the team working toward the development of an interpretive plan for QL@QM
-Reports to the Director of Education
Education and Experience:
- Ph.D. in Art History with a contemporary art focus preferred. Some education and/or psychology course work preferred, but not required.
- Teaching experience preferred, preferably in a gallery setting (teaching assistant,
docent, etc.)
Qualifications:
- Excellent communication skills (needs to be a good listener) and writing skills
- Good writing and presentation skills
- Ability to speak and/or write proficiently in English and another language/s, Spanish,
Mandarin and/or Bangla preferred
- Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills
- Ability to analyze and present qualitative and quantitative data
- Proficiency in computer word-processing and database programs i.e. Excel
- Attention to detail, accuracy, ability to work independently and with a variety of
people, and a professional demeanor
- Ability to assess and evaluate information as to its validity and appropriateness
- Ability to organize and express information in clear, logical sequence.