Job Description
Department:
Museum Communications
Pay Rate Type:
Hourly
Employee Type:
Job Summary:
The Mirken Family Postbaccalaureate Fellowship in Museum Practice provides an immersive, two-year professional development experience within the Colby College Museum of Art. The fellowship offers comprehensive exposure to museum administration, with a primary focus on communications, marketing, and public engagement.
Reporting to the Communications Manager, the Mirken Fellow collaborates across departments including Communications, Administration, Advancement, Collections, Curatorial, and Engagement. The Fellow contributes meaningfully to advancing the museum’s visibility, accessibility, and audience engagement through digital and print communications, audience research, and marketing initiatives.
In addition, the Fellow supports student engagement and professional pathway development by coordinating the annual Mirken professional development trip for senior art majors and mentoring student interns involved in museum communications work.
This position combines hands-on administrative experience with creative and strategic communications responsibilities in a dynamic museum environment. The appointment is a two-year term, with the possibility of a renewable third year contingent upon institutional needs and performance.
About the Museum
Located in Waterville, Maine, the Colby College Museum of Art opens access to art and artists, creating a forum for experimentation, research, dialogue, and joyful connection. Founded in 1959, the Colby College Museum of Art is a collecting and teaching museum dedicated to the preservation, display, and interpretation of the visual arts. We embrace within our collections works of art from diverse cultures and historical periods, with a focus on American art, and commitment to collecting and exhibiting contemporary art.
Free and open to all, with locations on the Colby College campus and in downtown Waterville, the museum advances Colby College’s educational and research mission, enriches the region’s cultural and community life, and contributes to the great field of American art. The museum and its Lunder Institute for American Art bring extraordinary art experiences to central Maine and generate new scholarship with national and international impact.
Essential Functions
To be successful in this position, an individual should be able to perform the essential duties and bring the education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities that support the role. Colby College supports the Americans with Disabilities Act and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position. This list of duties is intended to be representative rather than exhaustive, and additional responsibilities may be assigned as needed.
Support Museum Communications and Audience Engagement
Assist the Communications Manager in executing the museum’s marketing strategy
Develop, schedule, and post content across the museum’s social media platforms, incorporating feedback from internal stakeholders and managing a modest budget for boosted posts
Support website content management and maintain profiles on external platforms such as Bloomberg connects
Assemble and distribute the museum’s monthly e-newsletter, What’s Happening at the Colby Museum, reaching more than 20,000 subscribers
Assist in the design and distribution of digital and print materials promoting exhibitions, programs, and initiatives
Gather, analyze, and summarize audience demographic data, campaign performance metrics, and engagement insights to inform communications strategy
Maintain centralized digital and print archives of photography, advertising materials, collateral, and earned media.
Rights, Reproduction, and Collections Coordination
In collaboration with the Registrar for Collections, research and serve as primary point of contact for incoming and select outgoing
Facilitate internal approvals and ensure accurate tracking and documentation of permissions and usage
Support Student Engagement and Professional Pathways
Partner with Art Department faculty, students, arts professionals, and travel vendors to coordinate logistics for the annual Mirken professional development trip (typically to New York or Boston) for senior studio art and art history majors
Contact artists, arts organizations, and professionals to build meaningful learning experiences
Manage and track the program budget
Mentor and delegate projects to student interns supporting museum marketing and communications
Support Exhibitions and Publications
Collaborate with the Barbara Alfond Director of Exhibitions and Publications to support the distribution and sale of museum publications
Coordinate book fair participation and outreach to booksellers and art organizations
Organize publication mailings and maintain website listings for museum publications
Museum Representation and Special Projects
Serve as an ambassador for the museum in interactions with visitors, students, faculty, and external partners
Support programs, exhibitions, and special events, including occasional evenings and weekends
Position Qualifications
Education and/or experience:
Bachelor’s degree required; recent graduates strongly encouraged to apply
Coursework in art history, museum studies, communications, or related field preferred
Experience in a professional or academic administrative environment preferred
Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively within a team and across diverse organizational units
Experience with social media platforms required
Experience with content management systems (e.g., WordPress) and/or email marketing platforms (e.g., Constant Contact) pref
Excellent written, oral and interpersonal communication skills
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
Ability to work independently while exercising sound judgment
Visual design sensibility; familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite preferred
High level of motivation, flexibility, and professionalism
Commitment to fostering an equitable and inclusive environment supportive of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and life experiences
Physical/Mental Demands
The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here reflect what is typically needed to perform the essential functions of this position and what may be experienced while carrying out those duties. . Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
To perform this role effectively, an employee is expected to handle employee information, documents, and sensitive matters with care, professionalism, and respect for privacy.
This position involves working with a variety of timelines, including some that require quick turnaround and responsiveness to urgent needs.
In this role, the employee will interact with members of the public and others in a variety of situations and conversations. Presenting oneself in a professional, respectful, and thoughtful manner at all times is an important part of the role.
This position includes regular movement throughout the office spaces, hallways, meeting rooms, and other campus locations.
Daily work may involve extended use of a computer, including keyboard and mouse.
Physical requirements differ by position. In general, most roles involve lifting up to 10 pounds regularly, with some positions requiring occasional lifting of up to 35 pounds or more, in more physically demanding roles, up to 50 pounds.
Vision requirements for this position include the ability to see clearly at close and far distances and to adjust focus as needed.
The work environment is dynamic and engaging, often involving multiple tasks and projects that require shifting focus and strong organizational skills.
The noise level is generally moderate; however, there may be occasional moments of louder sounds depending on campus activity.
To Apply:
Interested candidates should apply electronically by clicking the “Apply Now” button on the Colby College website. Please upload a cover letter and resume to your application.
