Program Specialist

Job Description:

Position Title: Program Specialist, Arkansas School Partnerships
Position Type: Full-time
FLSA Classification: Exempt
Division: Learning and Engagement
Department: School Programs
Reports To: Program Manager, School Partnerships

Location: Little Rock, Arkansas

Position Summary
The Program Specialist, Arkansas School Partnerships, is a strategic role focused on expanding Crystal Bridges’ presence and impact in Central Arkansas—Arkansas’s most populous region and home to the state’s capital. With close proximity to school districts, community organizations, and state government, this role is uniquely positioned to build deep, sustained partnerships while also contributing to statewide advocacy efforts in arts and education. A physical presence in Central Arkansas enables more immediate, responsive engagement with educators and policy leaders alike, supporting Crystal Bridges’ mission to broaden access to American art and arts-integrated learning across Arkansas.

This position plays a key role in developing and delivering dynamic, arts-based learning experiences that connect students to American art, both in classrooms and at the museum.

The Program Specialist designs and facilitates K–12 curriculum for in-classroom programs and virtual learning—while leading outreach efforts in Central Arkansas and beyond. A central goal of this position is to increase field trip participation from schools in the region. The role also supports the museum’s public visibility through community events, helping extend Crystal Bridges’ reach across the state.

This role is based in Little Rock and requires extensive in-state travel (requiring a vehicle), including frequent visits to the museum in Bentonville and engagement in other key regions such as South and Northeast Arkansas. The appointment will be from 2025–2026 with the opportunity to continue based on growth performance.

This is a leadership position within the School Programs team, combining teaching excellence, program strategy, and relationship-building to scale arts-integrated learning across Arkansas.
 

Key Responsibilities

Field Trip Growth & Partnership Building

• Build and sustain strong partnerships with schools and districts—particularly in Central Arkansas—with the goal of increasing field trip participation and deepening school relationships
• Serve as a local liaison and trusted resource to educators

Advocacy & Outreach

• Represent the museum to external partners including school districts, cultural institutions, and community organizations
• Leverage proximity to state government agencies in Little Rock to support advocacy efforts in arts education
• Serve as a contributing voice in educator communications such as newsletters and PD promotion

Community Engagement & Data Strategy

• Build meaningful connections with local cultural institutions, nonprofits, and civic partners to extend the museum’s impact in Central Arkansas communities
• Lead public programming through the Mobile Art Lab, engaging audiences at regional festivals and events with hands-on, creative experiences
• Collect and share data related to participation, reach, and program outcomes
• Use data to inform strategy, identify growth opportunities, and ensure community-responsive programming

Curriculum & Instruction

• Design and deliver engaging, student-centered lessons aligned with the museum’s collection and educational priorities
• Implement programming across multiple formats: in-school instruction and virtual learning experiences
• Collaborate with the Manager of Curriculum and Instruction to refine and expand standards-aligned resources that support teacher needs and increase access statewide
• Contribute to digital content creation that extends Crystal Bridges’ educational reach, with attention to accessibility and innovation

Qualifications

• Proven track record in K–12 education, arts integration, or museum education with an emphasis on student-centered and inclusive practices
• Familiarity with education policy or experience engaging in education policy or advocacy work
• Bilingual in English and Spanish strongly preferred
• Strong ability to develop and implement curriculum and programs aligned with academic standards and museum resources
• Experience cultivating relationships with educators, administrators, and school systems—especially in underserved or rural communities
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and presentation skills in both classroom and public settings
• Ability to manage complex logistics, multitask across programs, and travel extensively throughout the state
• Creative problem-solver and self-starter, comfortable working independently and as part of a collaborative team
• Bachelor’s degree in Art Education, Museum Education, Education, or related field required; Master’s degree and teaching licensure preferred
• Minimum three years of experience in teaching, curriculum development, or education program management

Work Environment & Schedule

• This is a full-time, year-round position with a traditional Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. schedule (40 hours per week). Some evening and weekend work is required to support community events, field trips, or museum programs
• Position is based in Little Rock, Arkansas. This role must be physically based in Central Arkansas to ensure strong, consistent engagement with schools, districts, and state education leaders in the region.
• Extensive in-state travel required, including frequent visits to Crystal Bridges in Bentonville and engagement across South and Northeast Arkansas.
• Work occurs in a mix of settings: museum galleries, school sites, classrooms, community festivals, office environments, and outdoor spaces
• This position operates with clear goals, regular communication, and close alignment with museum priorities. Based in Little Rock to serve Central Arkansas schools, the Program Specialist collaborates with museum staff, participates in professional development, and contributes to exhibitions and special events. The role is funded through December 2026, with the possibility of extension based on the continued growth and sustainability of school partnerships across the state.

Education and Experience:

• Teaching licensure strongly recommended
• Bachelor’s degree in art education, art history, studio art, education, museum studies, or equivalent degree/experience required; Master’s degree preferred
• Demonstrated knowledge of American art history required; knowledge of art, architecture, nature, and wellness is preferred
• Minimum of three years’ experience teaching a range of ages in school or community setting
  Three years’ experience developing curriculum, presenting programs or public speaking

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

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

• Physical demands: In the work environments described below, position requires utilizing a computer and telephone for prolonged periods of time, interpersonal and written conversation with others, transporting (up to 20 lbs.). Regularly, while performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to travel independently regionally and in communities served. In the work environment described below, position requires working at a desk and utilizing a computer and a telephone, good eye/hand coordination, bending and stretching, standing and sitting in the ability to move around galleries, the classrooms, and throughout the museum, including travel on the outdoor trails. Visual acuity to review written materials is required for this job.

• Work Environment: Work will be performed in an office environment, museum galleries, art studios, schools, outdoors on the trails, and in communities served. Some evening and weekend hours are required. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. The noise level in the Museum work environment is usually low to moderate. Reasonable accommodations may be reviewed and evaluated in the case of exhibitions exceeding noise levels. Some overnight travel may be necessary.

All offers of employment are contingent on your successful completion (where permitted by state law) of a confidentiality agreement and background check. In addition, you will need to provide proper identification verifying your eligibility to work in the United States.

Crystal Bridges is an equal opportunity employer 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.