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4420 Warwick Boulevard
Kansas City, MO 64111

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Kemper Museum is a free art museum in Kansas City, Missouri that presents global contemporary art.

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Open jobs at Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art in Kansas City, Missouri

Kemper Museum Careers

It is our policy to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, military status, and any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or local laws. We prohibit any such discrimination or harassment.

Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art is seeking a dynamic leader to serve as executive director. Kemper Museum is committed to celebrating and advancing contemporary art and culture. The executive director will embody the passion for artistic exploration, education, and community engagement for which the museum is known.

Kemper Museum has been a center of artistic dialogue since its founding in 1994, housing a diverse collection of artworks that challenge convention and inspire contemplation. The museum strives to enrich the lives of visitors through thought-provoking exhibitions, engaging educational experiences, and a dedication to inspiring creativity and reflection. The executive director will join the Kemper at an auspicious moment. The museum is nimble and is poised to serve as a beacon of what a contemporary art museum can and should be: a presenter of bold, innovative, and stimulating exhibitions, a thoughtful community partner, and a hub for education and collaboration. Since its founding, Kemper Museum has championed diverse and marginalized voices and emerging or relatively unknown artists before either group were prioritized by the field. This is an exciting opportunity for a leader to serve as the principal architect in guiding the museum to sustain its core strengths while leveraging opportunities for future success as the museum seeks to celebrate its 30th year.

Isaacson, Miller is leading the international search for this position. Please learn more and apply at their website below. 

Department: Learning and Engagement
Classification: Full Time, Exempt
Reports to: Director of Learning and Engagement
Supervises: Docents
Date: September 2023

Kemper Museum seeks an energetic professional to lead its Schools, Tours, and Docent Programs. As a member of the museum’s dedicated education team, the museum educator will provide and sustain meaningful learning opportunities that help a wide range of audiences explore and engage with art during special programs, and public and private tours. The museum educator will strengthen and maintain strategic partnerships with educational and non-profit communities to increase visibility and school tour frequency. 

This position is responsible for the recruitment and ongoing training of new docents, and continued professional development of the existing docent body. The candidate will provide docents with meaningful preparation and enriching engagements, and enlist strategies that retain their enthusiasm and commitment to assisting the museum in fulfillment of its mission. This position requires an individual with strong people skills, a comprehensive understanding of contemporary art, museum culture and a propensity for sound administrative practices.   

Lead and inspire volunteer docents in providing engaging, visitor-responsive tour and learning experiences.

Recruit and provide training for new and existing docents. 

Provide on-going training for approximately 45 docents as it pertains to the content and scope of artwork in the museum’s permanent collection, special exhibitions, and new acquisitions. 

Provide on-going training for specially designated docents as it pertains to the content and scope of the museum’s professional programs initiatives. 

Present clear, detailed background on permanent collection artists and relevant art history to strengthen docent knowledge for presenting tours. 

Lead tours as/when needed and model best practices in tour implementation. 

In cooperation with education team, develop and equip docents with the necessary tools, materials and resources while preparing docents for interaction with all audiences.

Communicate all necessary information regarding upcoming exhibitions, training sessions, special events, tour requests, press releases, staff and policy changes.

Maintain the docent database, including updated contact information, tour activity and hour logging, and informational documents for on-line docent access.

Create statistics and program reports when requested.

Implement and maintain volunteer retention strategies including volunteer appreciation, social, and recognition events and opportunities.

Create pre-visit materials and other supplemental tour information for docent-led and self-guided groups. 

Be the point person to schedule docent-led and self-guided tours.

Manage the tour database and on-line calendar.

Review special tour requests and needs of visitors.

Ensure tour schedule is accessible to front line staff and does not conflict with special events or other programming.

Maintain and develop relationships with schools, external partners and collaborators.

Engage in outreach and educational opportunities marketing museum programs and tours to audiences, educators, and special constituencies.

Provide professional development events, opportunities and/or workshops for educators and community partners. 

Conduct research in the field, build and maintain contacts with museum education colleagues, scholars, and artists.

Evaluate museum-based school programs and tours.

Represent the Museum to a variety of special constituencies (local, regional, and national) and to the public at large.

Communication: Speaks clearly and persuasively, listens and gets clarification, responds well to questions, demonstrates group presentation skills, participates in meetings. Writes clearly and informatively, edits work for spelling and grammar, varies writing style to meet needs.

Professionalism: Approaches others in a tactful manner, reacts well under pressure, treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position, accepts responsibility for own actions, follows through on commitments.

Innovation: Displays original thinking and creativity, meets challenges with resourcefulness, generates suggestions for improving work, develops innovative approaches and ideas, presents ideas and information in a manner that gets others' attention.

Adaptability: Adapts to changes in the work environment, manages competing demands, changes approach or method to best fit the situation, able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.

Quality: Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness, looks for ways to improve and promote quality, applies feedback to improve performance, monitors own work to ensure quality.

Minimum B.A. in Art Education, Art History, or Museum Studies required. Preference given to Masters or in-progress: Museum Education, Art Education, or related field.

Three to five years museum education or other relevant education experience required; previous experience with volunteers preferred.

Must be proficient in Mac OS and Microsoft Office Suite.

Preferred proficiency in Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS). 

Some weekend and evening hours during peak seasons may be required.q

Museum Educator: Docents, Schools, Tours, and Professional Programs

Department: Café Sebastienne
Classification: Part Time, Non-Exempt, Hourly 
Reports to: Executive Chef
Date Revised: August 2023

Located within the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art is Café Sebastienne, one of Kansas City’s leading New American restaurants, providing seasonal food derived from the highest quality of ingredients from local, regional and national producers. Reporting to the executive chef, the line cook is an experienced professional focused on the preparation of seasonal American food. The individual in this position accurately cooks meats, fish, vegetables, soups and other hot and cold food products. Additionally, this individual performs other duties in the areas of food and final plate presentation, including plating and garnishing of all cold and cooked items for both the café and catering operations.

Prepares a variety of meats, seafood, poultry, vegetables and other items with and without recipes. Cooks with grills, ovens, fryers and other kitchen equipment.

Portions food products prior to cooking according to standard portion sizes and recipe specifications.

Assumes 100 % responsibility for quality of products served.

Knows and complies consistently with our standard portion sizes, cooking methods, quality standards and kitchen rules, policies and procedures.

Stocks and maintain sufficient levels of food products at line stations to assure a smooth service period.

Completes required task when assigned in a timely prompt manner.

Maintains a clean and sanitary workstation including tables, shelves, grills, fryers, and sauté burners. Convection ovens and refrigeration equipment.

Handles, stores and rotates all products properly

Opens and closes the kitchen properly and follows the closing duties as well as help others in closing of kitchen.

Performs related duties such as helping wash dishes as needed, preparing recycling, cleaning, and help with any other projects assigned by the Kitchen Manager or Executive Chef.

Attends all scheduled meetings and works with chefs and dining room managers to assure 100% guest satisfaction.

A minimum of 2 years’ experience in fresh, seasonal American food in a full service restaurant.

Must be available to work a combination of days, nights and weekends.

Must be able to communicate clearly with managers, kitchen and dining room personnel. 

Must work well in a fast-paced, high-energy environment.

Be able to work in a standing position for long periods of time up to nine hours.

Maintain a current Food Handler license with the City of Kansas City.

Physical requirements: The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to sit; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and taste or smell.

Dependability: Follows instructions, responds to management direction, takes responsibility for own actions, keeps commitments, commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals, completes tasks on time

Planning/Organizing: Prioritizes and plans work activities, uses time efficiently, plans for additional resources, develops realistic action plans

Adaptability: Adapts to changes in the work environment, manages competing demands, changes approach or method to best fit the situation, able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events

Communication: Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations, listens and gets clarification, responds well to questions, participates in meetings

Team Work: Balances team and individual responsibilities, exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views, gives and welcomes feedback, contributes to building a positive team spirit, puts success of team above own interests, able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives, supports everyone's efforts to succeed, recognizes accomplishments of other team members

Resumes can be emailed to employment@kemperart.org or you may mail hard copies to:

Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art
Diane Lambert
Human Resources Manager
4420 Warwick Blvd.
Kansas City, MO 64111

Classification: Part Time on call, Non-Exempt 

Under the supervision of the exhibitions coordinator, the on call preparator ensures safe handling, storage, movement, and installation of all types of works of art in both collections and exhibitions.

Participates, as directed, in the movement of all works of art in the museum’s care

Install and de-install exhibition artworks and exhibition furniture as directed

Implement exhibition designs as determined by curator and exhibitions coordinator

Install exhibition signage, graphics, mount and position object labels

Implement lighting design as directed by exhibitions coordinator

Perform routine exhibition and collection maintenance, including but limited to, cleaning of objects, gallery painting, light replacement, gallery furniture repairs, and AV maintenance

Pack and unpack artworks using museum best practices

Fabricate and construct exhibition components, including pedestals, supportive mounts, cradles, brackets, platforms, bases, vitrines, crates, etc. made of wood, wood composites, metals, Plexiglas and other materials according to proper museum standards for 2-D and 3-D artifacts

Maintain an organized working area within galleries to ensure artifacts being prepared for exhibition are safe and secure

Assist in inventory of the permanent collection as needed

Enrollment/Completion of a bachelor’s degree program in Fine Arts, Museum Studies, Design, Architecture, Industrial Design, or other field related to the museum exhibits profession is preferred.

Candidate must have experience working with art, art collections, museum exhibits, fabrication, carpentry or similar skills.

Experience with artifact handling, exhibition construction/installation techniques

Demonstrated knowledge of basic carpentry tools, machinery, and safety practices.

Skill in handling scissor lifts, dollies, pallet jacks, furniture movers and other forms of moving equipment.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

Ability to both take direction and work independently

Observes safety and security procedures, uses equipment and materials properly.

Physical Abilities:
- Ability to lift heavy objects (up to 70 lbs.) and to stand for an eight-hour day
- Ability to climb ladders, lifts, etc. and work for extended periods of time
- The ability to crouch, kneel, hold, grasp, turn, or otherwise work with hand or hands.

Department: Café Sebastienne
Classification: Part-time, Hourly, Non exempt
Reports to: Café Sebastienne
Supervises: n/a
Date: March 2022

The server provides exemplary customer service to the guests of Café Sebastienne, one of Kansas City’s premier restaurants. This individual is committed to creating a fine dining experience for all cafe patrons and plays a leadership role in front of house activities.

Provides exemplary customer service to guests of Café Sebastienne

Keeps up-to-date on daily specials and menu changes

Presents menu and daily specials, answers questions, and makes suggestions regarding food and service

Rings up order information in the POS system

Relays order to back of house and serves courses from kitchen and service bars

Garnishes and decorates dishes preparatory to serving

Ladles soup, brews coffee, and performs other services as determined by establishment&#39;s size
and practices

Observes diners to respond to any additional requests and to determine when meal has been
completed

Clears and resets counters or tables at conclusion of each course

Customer Service: Responds promptly to customer needs, solicits customer feedback to improve
service, responds to requests for service and assistance.
Oral Communication: Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations, listens and
gets clarification, responds well to questions.
Team Work: Balances team and individual responsibilities, contributes to building a positive team
spirit.

Attendance/Punctuality: Is consistently at work and on time, ensures work responsibilities are covered
when absent.

Dependability - Follows instructions, responds to management direction, takes responsibility for own
actions, keeps commitments, commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals.
Safety and Security: Observes safety and security procedures, uses equipment and materials
properly.

 Safety and Security: Observes safety and security procedures, uses equipment and materials properly. 

Must work well in a fast-paced, high-energy environment

3–5 years professional experience in the food service industry

Maintain a current Food Handler and Liquor Handler license with the City of Kansas City

Resumes and cover letters can be emailed to employment@kemperart.org or you may mail hard copies to:

Department: Museum Protection
Classification: Hourly, Non-Exempt
Reports to: Museum Protection Manager
Date: March 2022
 

A Level I museum protection officer is responsible for providing physical security of Kemper Museum and its remote satellite locations in order to safeguard its works of art, both interior and exterior, its buildings, grounds, and parking areas to assure the safety and well-being of staff, visitors, and persons in and around the museum and its remote facilities. This individual will possess strong customer service skills to assist in creating a quality visitor experience. Ability to work with moderate to close supervision and to carry out assigned duties and responsibilities in an effective manner.

Protection of Artwork, Facilities, and Public

Comprehend, adhere to, and enforce all museum security policies and procedures.

Working knowledge of all museum emergency plans and procedures, including medical emergencies.

Provide security checks of museum buildings, grounds, parking areas, and remote satellite locations (even in adverse weather conditions).

Working knowledge of plan and procedure when artwork, buildings, or grounds are damaged or compromised.

Main lower parking lot security booth including the monitoring of vehicle and museum patron safety. Issue warnings to non-museum visitors parking in designated museum parking spaces. Contacting KCPD to ticket unauthorized vehicles as directed.

Be alert for and report all safety hazards immediately to the on-duty Floor Supervisor.

Open and close museum according to published public hours.

Report to on-duty Floor Supervisor any unusual or suspicious activity.

Professional standards of attitude, demeanor, and presence as related to safety and security are required at all times.

Report to on-duty Floor Supervisor any safety or health incidents or accidents involving staff or public.

Create written Incident Reports as necessary.

Relate museum security policies and procedures to visitors and staff in a non-confrontational, professional attitude and demeanor.

Interact with and assist visitors by answering routine questions regarding museum facilities, galleries, restrooms, parking areas, Café and directions to other local destinations.

Direct visitors to additional resources when appropriate.

Ability to remain open-minded and outwardly un-opinionated as related to art on exhibition.

As a facility frequented by the public for personal enjoyment, maintain a warm, friendly, welcoming, service-oriented attitude and manner at all times while on duty.

Maintain a clean, crisp, and professional appearance, adhering to security dress code while on duty.

Ability to resolve conflicts in a positive, constructive manner.

Perform Any and All Other Duties Assigned by on-duty Floor Supervisor

Job Knowledge/ Professionalism: Demonstrates the knowledge and skill necessary to perform effectively; understands the expectations of the job; keeps professional knowledge up to date. Maintaining integrity of museum standards in ones presentation of self to the public.

Dependability: Maintains an acceptable attendance record, works as scheduled, gives appropriate notice of absence.

Trustworthiness: Ability to maintain discretion and confidentiality as it pertains to the museum’s policy and procedures, personnel and other privileged information.

Interpersonal Skills: Maintains harmonious working relationships with supervisors, co-workers, and the public.

Judgment/Alertness: Ability to make sound judgments pertaining to safety of art and public. Ability to maintain constant awareness of people and surroundings.

Must pass KCPD Police Commission examination and receive a Class A Police Commission (requires U.S. citizenship or permanent residency status and police record free of a felony conviction).

High School diploma or equivalent is required.

Specialized training or study in Museum high security practices preferred.

Previous security, law enforcement, military, or museum gallery experience is preferred.

Stand/Walk: The ability to remain on one's feet in an upright position at a work station without moving about. The ability to move about on foot.

Talk: The ability to express or exchange ideas accurately, loudly, or quickly by means of the spoken word, imparting information or detailed instructions to clients, to the public, or to other workers.

Handle/Feel: The ability to seize, hold, grasp, turn, or otherwise work with hand or hands. The ability to perceive attributes of objects and materials such as size, shape, temperature, or texture, by touching with skin, particularly fingertips.

Stoop: The ability to bend the body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist; requires full use of the lower extremities and back muscles.

Reach with hands and arms: The ability to extend the hands and arms in any direction.

Lifts Weight and Exerts Force: Lifts weight up to 40 lbs or exerts force by lifting, lowering, pulling, carrying, pushing, slapping, striking, kicking, pulling, or jerking.

Vision: The ability to see clearly at 20 inches or less and 20 feet or more. The ability to observe an area that can be seen up and down or to the left and right while eyes remain fixed on a given point. Three-dimensional vision, the ability to judge distances and spatial relationships to see objects where and as they actually are. The ability to adjust the eye to bring an object into sharp focus. This is required when doing close work at varying distances from the eye.