Overview
Founded in 1978, Mingei International Museum collects, preserves and exhibits “art of the world, art of the people,” including folk art, craft and design from all eras and cultures. Located in San Diego’s iconic Balboa Park, our highly respected Museum offers stunning exhibitions and diverse educational programs to more than 200,000 visitors each year. The Museum is a nonprofit organization.
Mingei has a deep commitment to creating a space where people are inspired to see their own world through new eyes and, in turn, rediscover, embrace and nurture their own creativity. The recently transformed Museum is a place where all are welcome, where the community can gather, and where individuals can rest and find creative inspiration.
Position Summary
The Arts Education Coordinator plays an essential role in providing students, teachers, and museum visitors with high-quality onsite learning experiences dedicated to the Museum’s mission of furthering the understanding of art of the people from all eras and cultures of the world. Additionally, this role supports our daily operations by coordinating adult and student tour scheduling and overseeing behind-the-scenes administrative tasks, ensuring our department's educational offerings run smoothly and remain accessible to the entire community.
Primary Responsibilities
• Support the Student Programs Specialist with in-class instruction and hands-on facilitation for School in the Park, including the organization and physical preparation of art materials and curriculum resources.
• Assist with School in the Park student groups in the Gallery by leading inquiry-based tours relevant to the classroom curriculum.
• Serve as a supporting teacher during our summer camp weeks, guiding students through hands-on craft projects and gallery exploration.
• Oversee key administrative tasks within the Engagement, Learning, and Impact (ELI) department, including coordinating student and adult tours, addressing public inquiries promptly, and maintaining accurate program data.
• Assist the ELI team with day-to-day tasks, prep materials for various public workshops, and provide hands-on support during occasional museum events and community programming.
• Actively participate as a core member of the education team, learning best practices in museum education and community-centered programming from experienced mentors.
Requirements
• At least one year of prior work or volunteer experience in an education or museum setting.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact warmly and effectively with visitors of all ages and backgrounds.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks, stay organized, and comfortably balance teaching days with administrative desk work.
• Comfortable with the physical prep work of education programs, including organizing and preparing art supplies.
• Flexibility to work occasional weekends and evenings as needed for special events.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and Google Drive applications.
Preferred Qualifications
• Familiarity with Mingei International Museum as an institution
• CPR/First Aid Certified (or willingness to obtain)
• Experience with and knowledge of a variety of craft art forms and mediums
• Bilingual experience in Spanish
• Prior classroom management experience
Compensation
This position is a part-time nonexempt position, paid at $23.00 per hour, working in Balboa Park and hours varying between 18 and 25 hours per week. Benefits include paid time off, paid sick time and a 401k plan with a company match.