The Samek Art Museum is currently hiring docents to begin working this summer or fall semester. See below for more information.
Student Museum Docent
The Samek Art Museum is a program of Bucknell University that creates meaningful encounters between artists, students, scholars, the public and works of art. The Museum presents original, travelling, and collection exhibitions and public programs that cover the range of art history with an emphasis on contemporary art. The Museum maintains an active collection of over 5,000 objects, including 450 works installed across the campus. The Museum programs and/or manages 3 spaces – the Samek Gallery on campus (including offices, work-room, and collection study room), Downtown Gallery, and off-site collections storage – totaling 4,500 square feet of exhibition and program space plus 3,000 of storage and work space. The Museum produces, on average, 15 exhibitions, 75 public programs, and 36 campus events annually. The Student Museum Docent’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following duties listed roughly in order of priority and time from top to bottom. The Student Museum Docent reports to the Preparator and Operations Coordinator and fulfills their duties in accordance with campus, state, and federal policies and laws as well as in keeping with museum and gallery professional practices.
Duties and Responsibilities:
SECURITY AND OPERATIONS
Open and close gallery for public hours daily and contact Public Safety to assist with opening or closing as needed.
Manage cleanliness and condition of exhibition spaces.
Maintain security of the gallery and collection.
Occasional art-handling and exhibition installation assistance.
MUSEUM DOCENTING AND VISITOR SERVICES
Serve as public face of the gallery and first point of contact for visitors.
Greet and engage audience with artwork, be able to form and articulate an opinion of the exhibition.
Daily tally of visitor attendance.
Conduct surveys and interviews of audience engagement
Record visitor questions/concerns.
Occasional opportunities for after-hours special events and outreach programming.
Minimum Qualifications:
Strong interest in art, art history, museum studies or education.
Outgoing and friendly demeanor with the public.
Flexible availability to work evenings and weekends, as scheduled.
Professional experience in functional areas detailed in the job description.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively as an independent self-starter.
Preferred Qualifications:
Pursuing Bachelor’s degree in Art, Art History, or related field
Physical Demands:
Stand or walk up to 5 hours per day.
Frequently use hands for simple grasping, fine manipulation, pushing or pulling.
Lift or carry up to 10 – 30 pounds occasionally.
To Apply: Email a cover letter, resume and weekly availability to a.gabrysiak@bucknell.edu
Special Instructions to Applicants: Bucknell University, an equal opportunity employer, believes that students learn best in a diverse, inclusive community and is therefore committed to academic excellence through diversity in its faculty, staff, and students. We seek candidates who will be committed to Bucknell’s efforts to create a climate that fosters the growth and development of a diverse student body. We welcome applications from members of groups that have been historically underrepresented in higher education.