Role Overview
The Education and Audience Development Officer will develop and lead the implementation of programmes and initiatives that help more people engage with photography. They will work to attract a wider audience to the museum and build connections with schools. This role involves working with a diverse range of people, including artists, students, and community groups, to design and manage educational activities that are accessible, inclusive, and impactful. These programmes will explore themes like cultural identity, representation, and visual storytelling. The postholder will also use data to identify and reach underrepresented groups, ensuring the museum builds strong and meaningful relationships with its visitors.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
In-House Education Programmes: Development, management and evaluation of in-house education and audiences development programmes:

Education programming for exhibitions and events:
Develop, manage and promote education resources, events and activities related to the artistic programme.
Partner with organisations representing visitors and diverse communities to co-create inclusive programming.

Digital Resources for curriculum:
Devise, develop and promote digital catalogues and education resources for schools.

Teacher Advisory Group:
Establish and manage a Teacher Advisory Group to foster collaboration and build strong relationships with schools.

Curriculum development & critical thinking:
Promote engagement with photography in the curriculum, emphasising critical thinking and young people’s experiences of visual overload online.
Develop and deliver innovative "photography in the curriculum" programmes, exploring themes of cultural representation and identity.
Identify curriculum links between the development of photographic practices, our collection and primary/secondary education.
Design new interpretive materials tailored for DEIS schools, emphasizing local relevance and accessibility through Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS).
Pilot and evaluate new materials with DEIS schools to assess their effectiveness.

Student Council Expansion:
Expand the Student Council to include three local schools and deliver leadership training to council members.

Youth-Led Programmes:
Facilitate student participation in guided tours, photogram workshops, and exhibition evaluations to ensure that youth voice informs museum planning.
Further develop the Youth Ambassador role to provide year-round representation for youth perspectives.
Submit and secure funding from funders and sponsors
Day-to-day management of projects to ensure they are on time and budget
Report on projects to museum management, funders and partner organisations.

Audience Development, Engagement and Inclusivity

In-house DEI programmes: Work with the team to develop, manage, promote and evaluate our in-house DEI programmes.
Manage, develop and promote our DEI programmes
Develop and deliver funding applications 
Work with artists, educators, advisors, and teams to develop, manage, evaluate and report on DEI programmes. 

Outreach programmes: Work with the team to develop, manage, promote and evaluate our national and international Outreach programmes.
Manage, develop, evaluate and promote our outreach programmes for diverse communities with partners and funders.
Work with artists and participants to facilitate and deliver programmes. 
Research new funding and sponsorship opportunities.
Work with the Museum’s DEI advisory panel to interpret audience data and recommend strategies for improving inclusivity.
Use geographic and demographic data to map areas with low engagement and target outreach efforts accordingly.

Audience development, tracking and insights:
To improve our understanding of our audiences, we design and conduct surveys to assess current and potential audiences, with a focus on inclusivity and accessibility.
Track and analyse quarterly data on demographics, engagement, and learning outcomes using performance measurement frameworks.
Analyse audience demographics using ticketing and survey data to identify underrepresented groups.
Compare findings with local population statistics and conduct interviews with marginalised communities to gather insights.

Programme Adaptation and Evaluation:
Use feedback from surveys, focus groups, and interviews to adapt programmes to better meet the needs of diverse audiences.
Set measurable inclusion goals and track progress through regular reviews and adjustments.

Key Skills and Experience
Strong background in education, audience development, or cultural programming, ideally within museums or heritage organisations.
Experience working with schools, young people, and community groups, particularly in designing and delivering educational resources.
Strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, with practical experience implementing related initiatives.
Excellent organisational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
Strong communication and facilitation skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with a range of stakeholders, including teachers, young people, advisory panels, and partner organisations.

Desirable Qualifications
Knowledge of photography, cultural heritage, and the Irish education system.
Familiarity with Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS) and other innovative education methodologies.
Experience working with DEIS schools or marginalised communities.

What We Offer
An opportunity to shape innovative education and outreach programmes in a leading cultural institution.
A collaborative and inclusive work environment.
Salary €35,000
Pension contributions
23 holidays per annum, in addition to public holidays
Professional development

How to Apply
To apply, please submit your CV and a cover letter detailing your suitability for the role to [email protected] by Friday 4th April 2025.

Terms   
This is a full-time role of 40 hours (including lunch breaks) per week, working five days in every seven. The role will require working weekends as required for certain educational activities. Shifts will primarily be during the day, with the occasional evening shifts.
The role is offered as an initial 1-year fixed-term contract, with a six-month probationary period, with the intention of extending subject to annual funding and is based at Photo Museum Ireland, Meeting House Square, Temple Bar, Dublin 2. 
Garda (police) vetting is a requirement of the appointment process. The appointment is subject to satisfactory Garda (police) vetting and reference checks.