Learning and Engagement Specialist

Art Bridges, Inc.; Bentonville (AR); On-site; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Art Bridges, Inc. in Bentonville is seeking a Learning & Engagement Specialist to provide project coordination and partner support across various initiatives that integrate art and wellness principles. The role involves working closely with museum partners and internal teams to facilitate communication, manage proposals, and execute department initiatives.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in a related field, 3-5 years of experience in community engagement, and excellent organizational and interpersonal skills.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of experience supporting learning and engagement initiatives.
• Experience with community engagement in cultural institutions.
• Knowledge of current best practices in museum education.

Responsibilities

• Support planning and execution of learning initiatives.
• Provide guidance to external partners for funding proposals.
• Facilitate partner communication and engagement.

Skills

Project coordination

Strong communication

Relationship-building

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor’s degree in museum studies or related field

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft 365 applications

Project management tools like Asana and Salesforce

Job description

Job Title: Learning & Engagement Specialist

Reports to: Learning & Engagement Manager

FLSA Classification: Exempt

Location: Bentonville, AR (On-site)

About Art Bridges Foundation

Art Bridges Foundation is the vision of philanthropist and arts patron Alice Walton. Founded in 2017, Art Bridges creates and supports projects that share works of American art with communities across the United States and its territories. Art Bridges partners with a growing network of nearly 400 museums of many sizes—impacting 25 million people nationwide—to provide financial and strategic support for exhibitions, collection loans, and programs designed to educate, inspire, and deepen engagement with local communities. The Art Bridges Collection represents an expanding vision of American art from the 19th century to present day and encompasses multiple media and voices. For more information, visit artbridgesfoundation.org.

About the Position

The Learning and Engagement Specialist supports the planning and execution of department initiatives, providing coordination and partner support across a portfolio of Learning and Engagement initiatives, including initiatives that integrate art and wellness principles. Working in close partnership with internal teams and external stakeholders, this role supports cross-functional projects from proposal through implementation, provides consultative support related to proposal development and application review, facilitates partner communication and engagement activities, and contributes to the development and execution of department initiatives.

Success in this role requires strong project coordination, organizational, and relationship-building skills, along with the ability to manage multiple priorities, support cross-functional collaboration, and exercise professional judgment in a fast-paced environment. The role also requires attention to detail, adaptability, strong communication and interpersonal skills, and a collaborative approach.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Partner Engagement

• Provide expertise and guidance to external partners applying for department funding with a focus on integrating art and wellness initiatives.
• Support proposal development and application review processes by providing constructive feedback and recommendations for a substantial portfolio of museum partners receiving funding for Art Sharing and Community Engagement initiatives.
• Serve as a liaison to museum partners and support cross-functional collaboration, partner communication, and coordination related to department initiatives and engagement activities.
• Lead and facilitate project proposal meetings, prepare agendas, support alignment of project goals and timelines, and provide follow-up coordination and communication.
• Consult on project proposal budgets and provide recommendations to support effective and efficient award requests.
• Support planning and execution of onsite convenings that bring partners and staff together for project development, professional development opportunities, networking, and collaborative learning.
• Represent the department and organization at public meetings, conferences, and partner site visits, including presenting information and facilitating discussions.

Program Operations

• Support development of written, video, and/or audio-based materials highlighting successful department initiatives as part of broader storytelling, partner engagement, and communication objectives across the organization.
• Exercise professional judgment in coordinating project timelines, managing competing priorities, supporting implementation of department initiatives, and maintaining organized and accurate project documentation.
• Train, mentor, and supervise department interns.
• Maintain organization and storage of project files and documentation within Asana, SharePoint, Salesforce, and other department systems.
• Support implementation of new department initiatives, evolving program priorities, and cross-functional project coordination efforts as assigned.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned to support evolving organizational needs.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in museum studies, education, fine art, art history, arts administration, or a related field. Master’s degree preferred.
• 3–5 years of progressively responsible experience supporting learning and engagement initiatives, experiential learning, museum education, community engagement, or related work within museums, cultural institutions, nonprofits, or similarly complex organizations.
• Experience supporting proposal development, partner engagement, project coordination, and learning and engagement programming required; experience planning and executing wellness programming in a museum or cultural institution setting preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of current best practices and emerging trends in museum education, community engagement, arts programming, and wellness initiatives.
• Proven ability to manage competing priorities, coordinate multiple initiatives simultaneously, and maintain organized, accurate work in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively with diverse internal and external stakeholders.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify challenges, develop practical solutions, and exercise strong attention to detail and sound judgment.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams and external partners to support project goals, timelines, and programmatic objectives in a collaborative environment.
• Enthusiasm for expanding access to American art and engaging communities across a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 applications, including SharePoint, Word, Excel, Teams, and PowerPoint, along with experience using project management and collaboration platforms such as Asana, Salesforce, or similar systems.
• Experience with or the ability to quickly learn specialized software systems and content development tools such as Canva, Workday, Trainual, or similar platforms.
• High level of professional integrity and the ability to handle sensitive issues and situations with discretion.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment, remaining adaptable and resilient.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those required by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

Physical Demands: In the work environment described, this position requires utilizing a computer and a telephone for prolonged periods of time, good hand-eye coordination, bending and stretching, and the physical stamina to lift and transport a minimum of 10 pounds. Visual acuity to review written materials is required for this job.

Work Environment: Work is performed on-site (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.) in a professional, climate-controlled office environment with standard office equipment, including computers, printers, and telephones. This role requires working in an open setting near colleagues. The noise level is typically low to moderate. The role also requires regular interaction with both the public and internal team members in a professional and courteous manner. Some travel will be required, including occasional overnight travel, with the ability to travel domestically as needed for partner site visits, meetings, conferences, and other department initiatives. A flexible schedule may be necessary to accommodate business needs, including occasional evening and weekend work hours.

Art Bridges and DEAI

At Art Bridges, diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion are central to all work and decisions made within our organization. We support our colleagues and partners in learning and growing together to make this important work part of our daily lives.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

Art Bridges is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building and maintaining a workplace that is free of discrimination and harassment of any kind. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate.