Gallery Teaching Program
The Raclin Murphy Museum of Art seeks undergraduate students to join its cohort of gallery teachers for the 2024–2025 academic year. Gallery teachers play a foundational role by both teaching through art when classes from select partner departments (Writing and Rhetoric, Romance Languages, and Moreau First Year Experience) visit the Museum and by leading public tours of the Raclin Murphy for a variety of visitors. All gallery teachers participate in a practicum, held on Friday afternoons, that explores teaching and learning through works of art. Ideal candidates are confident and outgoing, curious and eager to learn, and committed. The position is open to Notre Dame undergraduates from all academic disciplines. No knowledge of art history or experience teaching is assumed.
The commitment ranges from 2–6 hours per week with some weeks heavier than others. Students are paid for all classes taught and tours led, time spent in the practicum, and any work done outside of the Museum. Although this position has a relatively small in-person time commitment, it requires a broader intellectual commitment to the Museum’s teaching mission.
The Gallery Teaching Program is committed to equitable and inclusive practices within the internal cohort structure, in our pedagogical methods in gallery teaching, and in the selection of works of art for teaching. We value all visitors as collaborators in making meaning of works of art and the potential for all to thrive in the Museum’s spaces.
Responsibilities
Teaching
- Design and implement lesson plans that support the learning goals of visiting classes
- Conduct independent research on works in the Museum’s collection to make connections to course content
- Meet with faculty members, when necessary, to discuss class visits
Touring
- Lead regularly scheduled tours of the Museum for visitors and private groups
- Develop a cohesive narrative of the Museum to lead visitors through works of art and architectural spaces
- Engage with visitors of all ages and backgrounds to make the Museum a welcoming and comfortable space for all
- Participate in all sessions of the gallery teaching practicum as an engaged member of the cohort
Requirements
- Demonstrated interest in museums, art, and/or teaching (although no knowledge of art history or experience teaching is assumed)
- An academic and co-curricular schedule conducive to participation in the program
- Availability on Friday afternoons from 2:00–4:00 p.m. to participate in the gallery teaching practicum
- Availability to teach during standard meeting times for classes
- Occasional availability on Thursday evenings and weekend afternoons for scheduled tours
- Demonstrated fluency or near-fluency in a language if applying for a French, Italian, or Spanish gallery teaching position
- Commitment to the program for a full academic year (with the potential to be renewed for additional academic years)
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; timely with correspondence
Gained Experience
- Familiarity with and experience implementing contemporary museum education pedagogies
- Deep understanding of select works of art in the Raclin Murphy Museum’s collection
- Growth in teaching skills through regular observation and feedback from fellow gallery teachers and supervisor
- Belonging to an intensive, supportive, and committed learning community made up of gallery teachers
- Teaching skills that are broadly transferable to learning in other academic disciplines and areas of life
- Behind-the-scenes access to the Raclin Murphy Museum of Art
Applications will open in early spring semester of 2025 for the 2025–2026 school year. Please contact the curator of education for academic programs at hoyt.14@nd.edu with any questions.