Eleanor Merritt Fellow

Job Title: Eleanor Merritt Fellow
Location: Sarasota, FL
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Full/Part Time: Full-Time
Job ID: 54010
Department

The John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art is located in Sarasota, Florida, and is a department of Florida State University. Want to learn more about The Ringling?

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Equal Employment Opportunity

The Ringling is an Equal Opportunity/Access/Affirmative Action/Pro Disabled & Veteran Action employer with a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion. As such, we are always seeking individuals dedicated to innovation and excellence. A successful candidate will work effectively, respectfully, and collaboratively in a diverse, multicultural, and inclusive setting. We especially encourage applications by individuals from underrepresented groups, with a demonstrated commitment to a culturally and intellectually diverse workplace.

Should you require accommodations for the application or interview processes, please email [email protected] or call 941-538-2773.

Learn more about our commitment to Diversity and Inclusion:

• FSU's Equal Opportunity Statement
• https://hr.fsu.edu/sites/g/files/upcbnu2186/files/PDF/Publications/diversity/EEO_Statement.pdf

FSU Diversity & Inclusion Statement

FSU Strategic Plan

Ringling Strategic Plan

Ringling Equity Statement

Responsibilities

The fellowship is named to honor Eleanor Merritt (1933-2019), a prolific artist, art educator, and The Ringling’s first African American docent and board member. Merritt explored the interrelatedness of society, spirituality, and gender while using the human figure in a range of styles derived from a wide cultural matrix inclusive of her African and Caribbean roots as well as the Abstract Expressionist education she received at Brooklyn College in the 1950s. Merritt was also an important early advocate within national and regional art organizations such as the Women's Caucus for Art (WCA) Women of Color Slide Project, the Sarasota Visual Arts Center, as well as the Sarasota Arts in Public Places committee.

The Eleanor Merritt Fellow, on a 9 to 12-month visiting A&P appointment, works under the supervision of the Associate Director of Academic Affairs and Collections to primarily conduct research and complete arts administration and museum operations tasks and/or projects supporting The Ringling's Strategic and Equity plan. The first half of the fellowship focuses on projects and tasks spanning multiple Ringling departments; the second half of the fellowship focuses on projects/programs supporting the fellow's future academic goals and profession development related to The Ringling's Strategic and Equity Plan.

ARTS ADMINISTRATION AND MUSEUM OPERATION ROTATIONS :

Review, learn, and perform department-level tasks supporting The Ringling's Strategic and Equity Plan as directed by respective department heads. Rotate through multiple Ringling departments to include Archives, Collections (Registration and Preparation), Conservation, Development, Education, Library, Marketing, and Visitor Services to gain a broad understanding of arts administration and museum operations.

FELLOW PROJECTS :

Create, develop, and implement one or more projects and/or public programs supporting The Ringling's Strategic and Equity Plan. Projects/public programs can also support the fellow's specific academic goals and professional development. May assist with special projects and other duties as assigned.

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS :

Assist and support the Development department in developing partnerships and funding opportunities with local, regional, and national partners related to the Ringling's Strategic and Equity Plan.

ACADEMIC AFFAIRS :

Assist the Associate Director of Academic Affairs and Collections with developing and conducting higher education research, programs, activities, and events related to the Ringling's Strategic and Equity Plan to include visitor study activities.

SHARING THE FELLOWSHIP :

In coordination with the Executive Director and Deputy Director, develop and conduct a series of lectures/talks (at least one a quarter) for Ringling board members, staff, volunteers, members, visitors, and community organization members related to fellowship activities. Attend and present fellowship activities at least one professional conference.

Qualifications

Your application is not completed until you have attached the following items as well:

• Cover letter explaining your interest in the Fellowship and ongoing professional goals.
• Resume listing relevant experience.
• Writing sample demonstrating your communication and critical thinking skills (not to exceed 1,000 words).
• Three confidential reference letters (academic and/or professional)
  • See "Request Letters of Reference" section on how to complete this step
• Unofficial undergraduate transcripts.

Required qualifications include:

• Bachelors and 2 years experience or a combination of post high school education and experience equal to six years.
  • (Note: higher education can substitute for experience at the equivalent rate.)
• Knowledge of applicable computer applications such as Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to write and/or proofread and edit written word and/or information in various formats.
• Ability to perform assigned responsibilities with minimal to moderate supervision.

Preferred

• Bachelor's degree in museum studies, cultural heritage, art history, history, or other arts-related field preferred.
• Minimum of one-year academic, professional, and/or volunteer experience within cultural arts area.

Contact Info

For more information, or for technical assistance, please contact Ringling Human Resources at 941-358-2773 or [email protected].

Anticipated Salary Range

The anticipated rate of pay will not exceed $35,705 annually and will be based on the education, skills, and experience of the selected candidate. Please note that majority of applicants will be offered at midpoint of range.

Find out more about our comprehensive benefits package under the "FSU Total Rewards" section.

Museum employees also receive:

• Regular training on upcoming exhibitions
• Private gallery talks with curators
• Discounts on memberships
• Discounts in the museum store
• Discounts on select performances/events
• Free museum admission and much more!

Pay Plan

This is an A&P (Administrative and Professional) position.

FSU Total Rewards

FSU offers a robust Total Rewards package. Visit our website to learn more about our Compensation, Benefits, Wellness, Recognition, and Employee Development programs.

Use our interactive tool to calculate Total Compensation options based on potential salary, benefits and retirement contributions, earned leave, and other employment-related perks.

Schedule

Monday - Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM with a one hour meal period.

Criminal Background Check

This position requires successful completion of a criminal history background check, to include fingerprinting. The background check will be conducted as authorized and in accordance with University Policy 4-OP-C-7-B11.

How To Apply

If qualified and interested in a specific job opening as advertised, apply to Florida State University at https://jobs.fsu.edu. If you are a current FSU employee, apply via myFSU > Self Service.

Applicants are required to complete the online application with all applicable information. Applications must include all work history up to ten years, and education details even if attaching a resume.

Request Letters of Reference

This position requires that you have three confidential professional letters of recommendation submitted on your behalf. Follow the steps below to request these letters through our system:

1) After submitting your application, click the Careers link;
2) Click the My References link;
3) Click the Send/View Reference Request button next to the appropriate position; and
4) Follow the steps on that page to send your references a system generated email requesting they submit a letter of recommendation on your behalf.

You may also return to the My References link and click on "Send/View Reference Request" to see if your references have responded, add additional references, or resend requests.