Youth & Family Programs Specialist

Position Overview

As Gilcrease Museum prepares to reopen, the Youth & Family Programs Specialist will help create meaningful opportunities for youth, teens, families, and community members to connect with the museum's collections, exhibitions, and stories. Working collaboratively with the Learning & Community Engagement team under the supervision of the Manager of School and Family Programs, this position supports program development and delivery, community engagement efforts, and serves as the primary staff lead for the museum's Teen Advisory Council.

What You’ll Do

Program Development & Delivery

• Collaborate within the Learning and Community engagement team to plan, coordinate, and facilitate educational experiences for youth, teens, families, and intergenerational audiences. 
• Support the development and implementation of programs that connect audiences to Gilcrease Museum’s collections, exhibitions, and stories. 
• Assist in preparing program materials, activities, resources, and logistics to ensure successful program delivery. 
• Facilitate and support youth, family and community programs both on-site and throughout the community. 
• Contribute ideas for new programs, audience experiences, and learning opportunities that align with departmental goals. 
• Work with museum staff, artists, scholars, educators, and community partners to support program development and delivery. 
• Coordinate program presenters, guest facilitators, and community partners as assigned. 
• Support training, coordination, and supervision of volunteers, interns, and part-time staff participating in programs. 

Audience & Community Engagement

• Build and maintain positive relationships with youth, families, educators, and community organizations, and cultural partners.
• Support community outreach efforts that increase awareness of and participation in museum programs. 
• Help create welcoming and inclusive experiences that engage diverse audiences and encourage meaningful participation. 
• Serve as a representative of Gilcrease Museum at community meetings, events, and outreach opportunities as assigned. 
• Launch and lead the museum's Youth Advisory Council, coordinating regular gatherings and creating meaningful opportunities for teens to share their perspectives and help inform museum programs, audience engagement strategies, and visitor experiences.
• Gather feedback from youth, families, and community members to help inform program planning and audience engagement strategies. 
• Collaborate with colleagues across the museum to support audience-centered programming and community partnerships. 

Operations & Administration

• Support program planning through coordination of schedules, registrations, supplies, contracts, and other administrative tasks. 
• Assist with tracking program budgets and expenses in collaboration with the Learning & Community Engagement team. 
• Maintain accurate records related to programs, attendance, and participation. 
• Support the management and use of educational collections, materials, and resources. 
• Work collaboratively with departments across the museum to ensure successful program implementation.
• Participate in professional development opportunities that strengthen skills and contribute to departmental goals. 
• Perform other duties as assigned. 

Evaluation & Reporting 

• Assist with collecting attendance, participation, and audience feedback data for youth and family programs.
• Support formal and informal evaluation efforts to assess program effectiveness and participant engagement.
• Compile program data and contribute to reports, summaries, and recommendations.
• Use evaluation findings and audience feedback to help inform future program planning and improvements.

Required Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Understanding of informal learning practices. 
• Experience creating learning opportunities for students and family audiences.
• Creativity to find flexible solutions when plans change in order to maintain a positive experience for participants.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills. 
• Cultural competency and commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
• Special interest in American history, art history, and Gilcrease collection areas.

Equivalent Education & Experience

•  Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in fine arts, art history, museum studies, education, arts administration, anthropology, history, or a related field. Candidates with an associate degree and significant community, cultural, or arts experience will also be considered.
• Multilingual ability, particularly Spanish, is a plus. 

Physical Requirements

• Office-based within the Gilcrease Museum campus with regular on-site presence during events and workshops; some program experiences may take place outdoors either within the museum grounds or in the community
• Ability to stand, walk, and speak for extended periods during and facilitator-led sessions
• Ability to work flexible hours, including frequent evening and weekend hours for programs is required. 
• Occasional lifting or moving of items (e.g. supplies for programming activities)

Why This Role Matters

This role helps foster meaningful connections between Gilcrease Museum and the communities it serves by creating welcoming, engaging experiences that inspire curiosity, creativity, and lifelong learning for visitors of all ages.