Assistant Educator Adult Programs

Newfields a Place for Nature & The Arts; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 50,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Newfields a Place for Nature & The Arts is seeking an Assistant Educator for Adult Programs to help develop and coordinate learning experiences that connect exhibitions, collections, and campus spaces.

The role requires a Master’s degree in Museum Education or related field and 3–5 years of museum-based adult education, with strong communication, project management, and accessibility commitment; ability to work evenings and weekends.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Museum Education, Art History, or related field
• 3–5 years of experience developing learning experiences for adults in a museum setting
• Knowledge of adult learning principles and best practices
• Experience with performance, film, or artist-centered programming preferred

Responsibilities

• With the Director of Public Programs, develop, coordinate, and implement adult programs that extend Newfields’ exhibitions, collections, and campus experiences.
• Translate curatorial research, exhibition themes, and institutional priorities into accessible program formats that strengthen adult engagement.
• Manage program timelines, production needs, and cross-departmental coordination with AV, Operations, Garden and Park, Facilities, Curatorial, and other Newfields teams.
• Support artists, performers, curators, and guest speakers while helping ensure smooth program execution.
• Prepare program materials, interpretive resources, marketing copy, and related communications that support audience understanding and engagement.
• Track attendance, audience feedback, and engagement data for evaluation, reporting, and program improvement.
• Contribute to Learning Innovation initiatives, including interpretive resource development, collaborative programs, and audience research.
• Draft contracts, travel requests, and purchasing requisitions in alignment with Newfields policies and procedures.
• Assist with budget tracking, documentation, and program records.

Education

Master’s degree in Museum Education, Art History, or related field

3–5 years of experience developing learning experiences for adults in a museum setting

Strong knowledge of public program practices, adult learning, and art history

Clear, effective communication with artists, curators, colleagues, and adult audiences

Strong organizational and recordkeeping skills

Ability to work evenings, weekends, and some holidays

Tools

Canva

Job description

Job Details

Opportunity Title: Assistant Educator, Adult Programs

Reports To: Director of Public Programs

Salary Range: $50,000–$52,000

Responsibilities

• With the Director of Public Programs, develop, coordinate, and implement adult programs that extend Newfields’ exhibitions, collections, and campus experiences.
• Translate curatorial research, exhibition themes, and institutional priorities into accessible program formats that strengthen adult engagement.
• Manage program timelines, production needs, and cross-departmental coordination with AV, Operations, Garden and Park, Facilities, Curatorial, and other Newfields teams.
• Support artists, performers, curators, and guest speakers while helping ensure smooth program execution.
• Prepare program materials, interpretive resources, marketing copy, and related communications that support audience understanding and engagement.
• Track attendance, audience feedback, and engagement data for evaluation, reporting, and program improvement.
• Contribute to Learning Innovation initiatives, including interpretive resource development, collaborative programs, and audience research.
• Draft contracts, travel requests, and purchasing requisitions in alignment with Newfields policies and procedures.
• Assist with budget tracking, documentation, and program records.

Key Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of public program practices, adult learning, and art history.
• Demonstrated ability to support programs through their full life cycle, from concepting through completion.
• Exceptional judgment, time management, and discretion.
• Ability to navigate both museum and garden/park environments.
• Clear, effective communication with artists, curators, colleagues, and adult audiences.
• Commitment to accessibility, inclusion, and equitable museum practices.
• Strong organizational and recordkeeping skills.
• Experience with graphic design tools (e.g., Canva) preferred.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, and some holidays.

Education And/or Experience

• Master’s degree in Museum Education, Art History, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 3–5 years of experience developing learning experiences for adults in a museum setting.
• Knowledge of adult learning principles and best practices.
• Experience with performance, film, or artist-centered programming preferred.

Physical Demands of Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of that that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/ or move up to 25 pounds and navigate uneven terrain.

Work environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the position. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Frequent evenings, weekends, and some holiday duties will be required. Adjustment to schedules may be required based on events and schedule.