Teaching artists, Mural Arts Program

Posted by on August 29, 2011

City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program

The City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program unites artists and communities through a collaborative process, rooted in the traditions of mural-making, to create art that transforms public spaces and individual lives. Since its inception in 1984, Mural Arts has created more than 3,000 community driven murals and provided thousands of under-served youth and adults with award-winning arts education programming.

City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program – Lead Teaching Artists & Assistant Teaching Artists

The City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program’s Art Education Department serves over 1,600 youth annually through free out-of-school time art education programs in neighborhoods throughout Philadelphia.  Our programs provide a creative outlet for some of the city’s most vulnerable youth.

Mural Arts seeks to build safe spaces with and for the youth we serve, and our students’ work demonstrates their capacity for thinking deeply and creating fearlessly.  Our programs provide young people between the ages of 10 and 22 a year-long course of study in the visual arts.  Our curriculum offers students the technical and creative foundation necessary to imagine, design, and create a wide range of individual and public works of art. Whether creating a mural or honing foundational art skills, lessons are designed with both short and long-term goals in mind, incorporating artistic and social history in addition to traditional and emerging art processes. At every turn we encourage our students to reflect on themselves and make a positive difference in the communities in which they work and play.

The Art Education Department runs three 10-week sessions during the school year – starting October 2011 through June 2012 – four days per week from 3:00-6:00PM. The summer session runs for six weeks – starting July 2012 – five days per week, 9:00AM-12:00PM or 1:00-4:00PM.

In order to best serve the varied needs of our students, the Mural Arts Program’s Art Education Department seeks passionate and creative art educators who are committed to working in partnership with young people. We seek individuals who are excited about mentoring youth, eager to collaborate with fellow artists, and able to work in an energetic environment that demands flexibility, dedication, innovation, and enthusiasm.

Lead Teaching Artist Positions

Lead teaching artists work with Art Education staff to develop a project-based curriculum.  They inspire and guide students in creating individual works of art, designing indoor murals, experimenting with digital media, and working alongside professional artists on large scale public art projects.  In addition to maintaining a classroom blog and attendance records as required by Mural Arts and its funders, they mentor an assistant teaching artist.  The position requires weekly attendance at instructor labs and a monthly meeting for business and professional development.  Mural-making experience is preferred but not required.

Qualifications:

3-5 years teaching experience;
Knowledge of art history and art-making techniques;
Ability to manage a classroom of 15-20 students;
Significant experience working with under-served youth and/or middle and/or high school students;
Ability to engage youth with multiple learning styles and multiple intelligences;
Ability to create lesson plans, organize projects, and conduct research;
Excellent classroom management skills;
Exceptional written and oral communication skills necessary for managing paperwork and ongoing communications between program sites and Mural Arts staff;
Willingness to work collaboratively and in partnership with parents, program managers, student advocates, and artists;
Access to reliable transportation;
Familiarity with Photoshop and social media a plus;
Up-to-date PA Child Abuse Report, PA Criminal Background Check, and FBI Check upon interview.

Assistant Teaching Artist Positions

Assistant Teaching Artists support lead teaching artists in classroom management and the execution of lesson plans.  They inspire and guide students in creating individual works of art, designing indoor murals, experimenting with digital media, and working alongside professional artists on large scale public art projects.  Assistant teaching artists are responsible for documenting student work through photography and video.  The position requires attendance at weekly instructor labs and monthly meetings for business and professional development.

Qualifications:

1-2 years teaching experience with under-served youth and/or middle and/or high school students;
Knowledge of art history and art-making techniques;
Ability to engage youth with multiple learning styles and multiple intelligences;
Willingness to work collaboratively and in partnership with parents, program managers, lead teaching artists, student advocates, and artists;
Access to reliable transportation;
Up-to-date PA Child Abuse Report, PA Criminal Background Check, and FBI Check upon interview.

Compensation

Lead Teaching Artist:  26K salary plus benefits
Assistant Teaching Artist: $15 per hour, 17 hours per week

To Apply

Please submit an online application to http://muralarts.org/node/85 specifying you are applying for the position of “Lead Teaching Artist”  or “Assistant Teaching Artist” and upload your cover letter and resume and ten (10) samples of your own artwork. Applications will be reviewed as they are submitted. Deadline to apply: September 6th 2011. No phone calls please.