Visual/Media Arts Hourly Teaching Artist Job Description

Position Overview:

Performing Arts Workshop seeks visual/media arts teaching artists (illustration, sculpture, photography, videography, painting, animation, comic, and other visual/media art forms) to teach PreK-12 classes in semester-length and yearlong residencies at our partner sites in San Francisco. Our teaching artists are active artists and growing educators in their artistic practice. As representatives of the Workshop in the classroom and the communities they serve, teaching artists share a commitment to our mission and racial justice values. In addition to regular teaching duties, teaching artists receive extensive mentorship and support from our artistic and program management, including training in the Workshop’s teaching methodology, an 8-session Artistic Onboarding, and monthly Learning & Growth (formally professional development).

Teaching begins in September 2022 with preparation/Onboarding meetings taking place between August/September 2022. Most in-school & after-school take place between 9am-2:30pm and/or 2pm-6pm.

Teaching artists can expect to teach 5-20 hours/week, depending on availability and experience, with starting compensation of $45 per hour for teaching, learning and growth, artistic onboarding and all pre-approved administrative work. There are opportunities for promotion based on teaching artist’s anti-racism praxis, communication, availability, student outcome, value alignment and their interests in growing with the Workshop…etc.  

Teaching artists are considered part-time employees—not independent contractors—and receive paid sick time, unemployment insurance, social security contributions, worker’s compensation, and other legally required withholdings.

Responsibilities:

• Create a culture of learning in the classroom that reflects the Workshop’s values and supports youth in their development as artists;
• Develop anti-racist, process-based, sequential curricula that reflect the Workshop’s pedagogy for each residency;
• For Visual Media Arts: Design a multi-lesson workshop using Performing Arts Workshop methodology grounded in Creative Youth Development. Lessons must weave first-person storytelling through art forms, including: creative writing, journaling, photography, animation, comic books, portraiture, etc;
• Mandatory and punctual attendance of monthly Learning and Growth (formerly known as professional development) meetings, in addition to one all-day Learning & Growth in the Fall and one all-day Learning and Growth in the Spring;
• Connect students’ work to a broader audience through a culminating performance, publication, or open class demonstration for families and communities;
• Administer student and residency evaluations, collect student information and media release forms;
• Communication with site and Workshop staff in a timely manner.
• Provide monthly classroom reports. 

Required Qualifications:

• Commitment to youth development, building self-efficacy, racial justice, and cultural awareness;
• Knowledge of the main elements of composition in your art form and the ability to articulate and teach them to youth;
• Comfortable in  verbal, written, and interpersonal communication;
• Ability to work with diverse teaching and site partners in adapting to individual classroom needs and cultures;
• Passion and empathy when teaching children and youth who are English language-learners, students with learning differences, incarcerated youth, youth in transitional housing facilities, or youth enrolled in court mandated schools;
• Ability to articulate and demonstrate critical thinking in the arts;
• Openness to receiving and giving feedback on teaching as it relates to the Workshop’s methodology;
• Availability to teach in at least two sites at a time (at least four classes in either one full day, two mornings, two afternoons, or some combination thereof);
• Ability to provide own transportation or utilize public transportation to and from partner sites.

Additional Qualifications:

• Bilingual ability—Spanish, Mandarin and Cantonese;
• Experience working with students who are English language-learners and students with learning differences;
• BA and/or MA/MFA in art form or commensurate experience.

How to Apply:

Email resume, cover letter, sample lesson plan, and portfolio or work samples to, Performing Arts Workshop at info@performingartsworkshop.org. Only complete applications will be considered, please inquire if you have any questions about the requirements.

Performing Arts Workshop is an equal opportunity employer and seeks workforce diversity with respect to race, ethnicity, culture, gender, age, sexual orientation, and physical abilities.

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