Director of Interpretation & Education (Glass House)
Department: Historic Sites
Location: New Canaan, CT
ABOUT THE GLASS HOUSE The Glass House property, built between 1949 and 1995 by architect Philip Johnson, is a National Trust Historic Site in New Canaan, Connecticut. For more than half a century, the Glass House was home to Philip Johnson and his partner, influential curator David Whitney, a place where they hosted many of the most notable architects, artists and designers of their time.
Today, the pastoral 49-acre landscape comprises fourteen structures centered around the iconic Glass House and features a renowned permanent collection of 20 th -century art. Since 1986, the entire campus has served as a catalyst for the preservation and interpretation of Modern art and design and a canvas for inspiration and experimentation through leading-edge exhibitions and installations of the highest quality. The site's tour program, acclaimed Design Store, and on-site and online events provide a variety of opportunities for dynamic engagement. Through new research and programming t he Glass House openly explores Philip Johnson and the site's full history and legacy including connections to the LGBTQ+ experience, Johnsons' influence on the art world, his forays into fascism and work toward forgiveness.
Over the last 10 years, the Glass House has conducted a strategic campaign to restore and re-activate the buildings and landscape at the site. The restoration of the Brick House, the companion to the Glass House that was also built in 1949, was recently completed and reopened in Spring 2024. This re-introduction of the Brick House and the flood of new interest in more critical understandings of Johnson's story offers a tremendous opportunity to define and implement a vibrant new vision for the site and its impact that continues to build relevance in the local community as well as the international fields of art, design and public history as the property celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2024.
The site is owned and operated by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and is a part of its portfolio of 28 National Trust Historic Sites that are central to the organization's mission and operations. The Glass House has a full-time staff of ten with approximately 25 seasonal staff. The executive leadership is supported by a dedicated Advisory Council of professionals in the business, architecture, art, design and marketing world.
JOB SUMMARY Under the direction of the Executive Director, the Director of Interpretation and Education establishes a strategic vision, inspired by Philip Johnson's provocative and experimental design legacy, for how the site and its human history are interpreted and engaged with by the public. They will set the tone and direction for the major interpretation and education initiatives, including overseeing exhibitions, tours, and adult, student and family programs. This new position will ensure that The Glass House will embody best practices in visitor-centered interpretation and arts education and exemplify equity, inclusion, justice and diversity in all aspects of public engagement. They will be a creative force who collaboratively leads and supervises the new vision for the Glass House visitor experience and be a crucial part of the mission to draw larger and more diverse audiences through innovative and exploratory interpretative programs. The Director will conceptualize, develop, and/or enhance tours, interpretive programs, and special events that build audience and participation, enhance visitor engagement and learning, and encourage repeat visitation. This position will establish and develop partnerships with local schools and teachers and conceptualize and implement student and family programs. Overall, they will be responsible for manifesting the National Trust's strategic priority of "Telling the Full American Story" by generating opportunities for the diverse public to learn and explore narratives, spaces and art that is vitally relevant to the world today and their place in it.
This position will be responsible for leading, supervising, motivating, and coaching a dynamic team of interpreters and educators including the Manager of Interpretation & Education and a seasonal staff of approximately 20 educators. The Director will be part of the leadership team at The Glass House and collaborate with the Director of Development and the Director of Communications on fundraising opportunities, community relations and media/marketing strategies and campaigns. The Director of Interpretation & Education will interface frequently with senior management at The National Trust's Historic Sites Department, as well as peers at other National Trust Historic Sites and other house museums across the country. This position will require some travel to other sites and relevant conferences and training opportunities, and they will thrive on finding and delivering professional development and learning opportunities for the I&E team.
The successful candidate will have relevant experience developing and managing innovative interpretation and education programs that tell compelling stories for diverse audiences at a historic site, arts center or museum, or comparable venue. Experience in interpretive planning is required, along with proven experience cultivating/strengthening community relationships and community-based programs with diverse communities. Managerial experience, including supervisory experience, and outstanding communication and organizational skills are required.
This position offers flexibility for a hybrid work arrangement but does require a minimum of three days working on-site each week, therefore candidates will need to be area residents (CT or NY).
- Develop, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive interpretive plan that advances the organization's mission of telling the full American story and that reflects the needs and interests of the local community.
- Plan, implement and evaluate interpretive programs and products. This includes, but is not limited to, on-site and remote programs, activities, demonstrations, tours, events, community engagement opportunities, social media, web-based digital projects, brochures, maps, etc.
- Explore the site's buildings, landscapes and human histories to reveal powerful, educational, proactive and relevant narratives that will inspire and/or deepen program, tour, event and exhibition offerings. Develop offerings that connect with and draw new audiences while reinvigorating the site's relationship with past visitors.
- Manage current and future grants related to interpretive studies to assist with this scope of work, including helping to manage relationships with funders and other stakeholders as well as work performed under the grants.
- Plan and manage public programs and activities for adults and children that foster critical thinking, a sense of belonging, engagement in social justice, sustainability, and wellbeing in ways that connect them to the site's natural and historical resources in relevant and meaningful ways.
- Determine and develop programming in collaboration with the Executive Director and the Curator of Arts and Exhibition.
- Build trust and foster ongoing relationships with local community groups, schools, and organizations, especially those who may have previously felt excluded or disconnected from the work of the site.
- Collaborate with community members in the development and delivery of interpretation at the site.
- Position the site to integrate Justice, Equity, Diversity, Access, and Inclusion measures site wide as it relates to public programs and interpretation, and ensure metrics are tracked, targets are reached, and timely maturation of the site in these practices.
- Through interpretation and public programs, help grow visitation, engage new and repeat visitors, analyze, and evolve experiences.
- Ensure the National Trust agenda for historic sites and the strategic objectives of The Glass House Historic Site are met, including increased in-person and virtual participation, audience and revenue increases, and audience diversification.
Program Management - Work with the Manager of Interpretation & Education to help recruit, hire, train, and supervise guides, volunteers and other staff related to public programming, education and interpretation. Develop workplans, organize workflow and delegate assignments; monitor employee productivity and performance, provide constructive feedback and coaching, and conduct annual performance reviews; work with management, direct reports and Office of Human Resources as needed to identify, respond to, and resolve problems or performance issues as they arise.
- Develop policies and procedures for interpretation, including a staff training manual and program. Develop, deliver, and maintain up-to-date interpretive training modules and resources.
- Oversee management of group and educational tour scheduling by appropriate staff.
- Conduct and oversee research on site history and share findings with site staff. This is especially important for themes related to the political and social history of the site's architect, residents and historic guests.
- Work with local Indigenous Tribal leadership to draft a land acknowledgment statement and incorporate the early history of this landscape into the interpretation of the 49-acre site.
- Provide oversight and programming of local mission-based and audience-centered programming, such as historical or social history lectures and facilitated discussions of relevant issues . click apply for full job details