Gallery Guides bring the Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center exhibitions to life for various audiences through Public Tours, Guided Group Tours, School Group Visits and Family Gallery Chats. To become a Gallery Guide, approved candidates are required to participate in a paid, comprehensive, 12-hour training program to gain the skills, language and content expertise required for our visitor-centered and inquiry-based tours. Upon completion of training, guides will attend monthly, paid training sessions and do supplementary research on artists and artworks from the exhibitions to enhance their tours. Guides are expected to give a minimum of two tours a month. Gallery Guides will work closely with and report directly to the Coordinator of Tour and School Programs. We welcome candidates from a variety of backgrounds, including, but not limited to: practicing artists, informal and formal educators, university students, professional actors, customer-service experts and those with a deep passion for contemporary art.

Requirements

Before leading a tour, participate in a 12-hour training course and evaluation by Learning and Engagement staff.
Work with the Coordinator of Tour and School Programs to deliver engaging tours with a focus on youth, student and teacher programs. This includes internal programs such as School Group Visits (10 a.m.-12 p.m. Wednesday-Friday) and Camp Contemporary.
Work with the Coordinator of Tour and School Programs to prepare and facilitate explorations of art for general audiences through Public Tours and Guided Group Tours in Oklahoma Contemporary’s galleries and in exhibition spaces throughout campus.
Research and develop tours appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Attend exhibition walkthroughs, artist talks, monthly educator meetings and other training sessions as required.
Ensure the safety of the art in the center in accordance with established security procedures such as keeping visitors at prescribed distances from artworks, monitoring the flow of visitors in the galleries and reporting any incident involving visitors touching or damaging works.
Ensure the safety of visitors and staff on the center’s premises (assist with evacuation during emergencies, perform fireguard duties as trained, and report problems, suspicious activity and safety hazards to a supervisor).
Invite and discuss visitor comments and questions about current exhibitions, contemporary art, the center, Campbell Art Park, Sculpture Garden or The Studios.
Maintain a high quality of visitor experience, hospitality and professionalism in all environments.
Report on programs including attendance, participant feedback and observational notes on program structure and logistics.
Other duties as requested.

Essential Job Requirements and Qualifications

Excellent interpersonal and verbal communication skills and poise; ability to think on one’s feet, problem solve, improvise and adapt to a range of situations in the moment.
Previous experience working with the public (e.g. customer service, retail, teaching).
Strong interest in education, contemporary arts and culture.
Degree in fine arts, design or architecture, art history, art education, media arts, education or history is helpful, but not essential.
Comfortable managing large groups, especially in an informal educational setting.
Ability to stay on task and complete all aspects of a group visit within specific start and end times.
Experience in mediating and facilitating conversations with a wide range of people including those from diverse cultural backgrounds, age ranges, abilities and attitudes.

Additional Desired Qualifications and Experience

Fluent in English with a strong preference for candidates who are also fluent in Spanish or Vietnamese.
Experience working with children in an educational setting; experience working with people with specific needs, including physical and/or intellectual disabilities and/or autism and/or dementia.

Hours and Compensation

$20/hour for tours, $15/hour for training and research.
Flexibility to work a range of days and hours including 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday and occasional evenings. Schedule varies according to planned school tours, daily group tours and tour-related programs.
Preference given to candidates who are available 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Wednesday-Friday for School Group Visit Program.
Ability to work at least two shifts per week or about four to six hours a week.
Availability to attend monthly Gallery Guide trainings.

Limitations and Disclaimer

The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position. Continued employment remains on an “at-will” basis. Nothing in this job description is to be construed as a contract of employment. All job duties are subject to change as business needs necessitate.

Other Requirements and working Conditions

Weekend and holiday work is required regularly.
Use of a car required; legally registered and insured for daily use.
Fingerprint clearance and background check required.
Use of a computer/monitor, telephone and copier daily.
Flexible schedule with ability to participate in evening or weekend events.
Team environment with frequent group meeting participation.
Physical requirements include: Must be able to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl and heavy work may include routine lifting of a maximum weight of 25 lbs.

Oklahoma Contemporary is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or veteran status.

To Apply
Submit a resume here to apply.

Inclusion
Oklahoma Contemporary strives to demonstrate leadership by modeling excellence and best practices for inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility. We believe in the power of human creativity and value the opportunities for connection and learning that exist when cultures and communities come together in collaboration and understanding.

We commit to championing policies and practices that value diversity, foster cultural equity and create an accessible and inclusive environment. Oklahoma Contemporary does not discriminate based on race/ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, socioeconomic status, geography, citizenship status or religion. We recognize our strengths lie in the broad range of people who contribute their time and talents to our mission and are dedicated to creating a safe, inclusive place for them to explore creativity.