MFA Educator

As the first art museum in St. Petersburg, the Museum of Fine Arts serves as the cultural anchor of a vibrant arts city, uniting a diverse community of artists, residents, and international visitors. The Museum’s global collection, spanning nearly 5,000 years, acts as a catalyst for connection and conversation. By bridging historical perspectives with contemporary discourse, the museum broadens the artistic canon while elevating the voices and stories of historically marginalized artists. Within the museum’s holdings are exemplary works by Georgia O’Keeffe, Claude Monet, Berthe Morisot, Auguste Rodin, Kehinde Wiley, and Élisabeth Vigée-LeBrun. The museum also houses one of the largest and most well-respected photography collections in the Southeast, featuring iconic visionaries such as Ansel Adams, Edward Steichen, Julia Margaret Cameron, Carrie Mae Weems, James Van Der Zee, and Aaron Siskind. Through dynamic exhibitions and inclusive programming, the museum engages with more than 100,000 people annually, including thousands of students through a dedicated partnership with Pinellas County Schools. Committed to fearless creativity, the museum fosters a welcoming environment where all are empowered to explore untold stories and challenge conventions.

Join the MFA and embark on a journey of artistic enrichment and personal growth. We offer a platform for employees to nurture their love for the arts while contributing their unique skills, experience, and talents to further our museum's mission.

THE OPPORTUNITY
Position: MFA Educator (Part-Time)
Reports To: Studio Programs Manager
Department: Education & Engagement
Job Code: Part-time / On-site
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Hourly Wage: $25.00/Hour

POSITION SUMMARY

The Museum of Fine Arts is seeking enthusiastic, creative, and engaging MFA Educators to serve as part of the museum’s frontline instructional team, supporting programs across the Education & Engagement Department.

MFA Educators facilitate engaging, accessible, and visitor-centered learning experiences for audiences of all ages and abilities. Working primarily within Creativity Commons, MFA Educators lead hands-on artmaking experiences, support artist-led workshops and classes, and help activate the Education Gallery and Studio Classroom as welcoming spaces for creative exploration.

MFA Educators also provide instructional support across the broader Education & Engagement Department, including youth and teen programs, camps, library and offsite learning initiatives, community events, public programs, and exhibition activations. MFA Educators work with young children and families, school groups, teens, adults, older adults, and intergenerational audiences.

The ideal candidate is a creative and adaptable educator who enjoys working directly with people and is comfortable facilitating hands-on experiences in a museum environment. Candidates should bring enthusiasm and knowledge of art and creative practices, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to create welcoming learning environments for diverse audiences.

MFA Educators report to the Studio Programs Manager and work collaboratively with other members of the Education & Engagement Department, teaching artists, community partners, volunteers, and museum staff.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES

Creativity Commons

Support the activation of the Education Gallery and Studio Classroom by leading hands-on artmaking and creative learning experiences for visitors of all ages, abilities, and levels of artistic experience. Programs include:

• Early Childhood & Family Programs
• Youth & Teen Programs
• Young Adult, Adult, and Older Adult Programs
• Intergenerational Programs

Assist with preparing, organizing, and resetting studio spaces, galleries, materials, and equipment before and after programs.

Visitor Engagement & Accessibility

• Create welcoming learning environments that encourage participation, curiosity, experimentation, and conversation.
• Engage visitors with respect, enthusiasm, and professionalism.
• Adapt activities and instructional approaches for visitors of different ages, abilities, backgrounds, and learning styles.
• Support accessibility and inclusion across all program experiences.
• Respond thoughtfully to visitor questions and needs.
• Help ensure that program environments are physically and socially welcoming to all participants.

Artist-Led Workshops & Classes

• Assist teaching artists with the preparation and delivery of artist-led workshops, classes, and other creative experiences.
• Support teaching artists in creating welcoming and accessible learning environments.
• Help prepare materials, equipment, spaces, and instructional resources.
• Provide individual support and encouragement to participants during hands-on activities, adapting activities and approaches as needed to meet the needs of different individuals.
• Support artists in engaging participants in creative processes rather than focusing solely on finished products.

Program Preparation & Support

• Prepare materials, tools, equipment, and spaces for programs and workshops.
• Follow established studio safety procedures and museum policies.
• Maintain clean, organized, and safe learning environments throughout programs.
• Assist with inventory and care of program materials and equipment.
• Support registration, attendance, participant communication, and other program logistics as needed.
• Assist with program evaluation by collecting participant feedback, attendance information, photographs, and other documentation.
• Communicate program needs, visitor feedback, and operational concerns to the Studio Programs Manager.
• Participate in educator training, staff meetings, and professional development opportunities as appropriate.
• Contribute to Education & Engagement initiatives and programs as part of the department’s instructional team, providing facilitation, hands-on learning, and logistical support across program areas as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Education / Experience

• Experience in art education, museum education, teaching, studio art, community arts, youth programming, or a related field is preferred.
• College coursework or a degree in education, art education, studio art, art history, museum studies, or a related field is preferred.
• Experience facilitating programs or activities for children, teens, adults, older adults, families, or other public audiences is preferred.
• Experience working with diverse audiences and learning styles is preferred.
• Experience with hands-on artmaking, creative practice, or studio-based learning is strongly preferred.
• Experience working in a museum, cultural organization, community arts organization, school, or comparable environment is a plus.

Skills & Abilities Required

• Enthusiasm for art, creativity, museums, and working with the public.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to engage visitors in a friendly, welcoming, and professional manner.
• Comfortable facilitating hands-on activities and creative experiences.
• Ability to work effectively with individuals and groups of varying ages and abilities.
• Ability to adapt activities and communication styles to meet participant needs.
• Strong teamwork and collaboration skills.
• Dependable, punctual, organized, and attentive to detail.
• Ability to follow established procedures while also responding creatively to unexpected situations.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Ability to maintain a positive and professional attitude in a busy public-facing environment.
• Commitment to creating accessible and inclusive experiences for museum visitors.

LOCATION REQUIREMENTS AND WORK SCHEDULE

• This is a part-time, onsite position with a schedule based on program needs. Regular weekend and evening work will be required. MFA Educators typically work Thursday evenings and at least one weekend day (Saturday or Sunday) each week.
• Educators may be scheduled for programs taking place throughout the museum or at offsite community locations.
• At time of employment, employees are expected to be located within commuting distance of the museum.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must be able to move throughout the museum galleries, studio classroom, and program spaces for extended periods.
• Must be able to stand, walk, bend, reach, and participate in hands-on activities for extended periods.
• Must be able to occasionally move, lift, and transport equipment, materials, and objects up to 25 lbs.
• Must be able to safely use common art materials, tools, and equipment appropriate to assigned programs.
• Must be able to safely and successfully perform the essential job functions consistent with ADA, FMLA, and other federal, state, and local standards.

This job description indicates in general terms the type and level of work performed, as well as the typical responsibilities of this position. Management reserves the right to modify, change, add, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job. Nothing in this position description changes the at-will employment relationship between Museum of Fine Arts and its employees.

TO APPLY

The MFA is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified candidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds. Whether you’re new to arts and culture administration, returning to work after a gap in employment, looking to transition or take the next step in your career path, we welcome you to apply. Please use your cover letter to tell us about your interest in the arts and culture space and what you hope to bring to this role.

Please submit resume, letter of interest and salary requirements to [email protected] with Part Time Educator in the subject line or mail to the following address:
Human Resources
Museum of Fine Arts
255 Beach Drive N.E.
St. Petersburg, FL 33701-3498
No phone calls please.

The Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg provides equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, mental or physical disability, pregnancy, alienage or citizenship status, marital status or domestic partner status, genetic information, genetic predisposition or carrier status, gender identity, HIV status, military status and any other category protected by law in all employment decisions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, compensation, training and apprenticeship, promotion, upgrading, demotion, downgrading, transfer, lay-off and termination, and all other terms and conditions of employment.

Pay: $25.00 per hour

Work Location: In person