Title: Teaching Artist, Visual Art
Supervised: Schools and Community Program Manager
Classification: Contractual
WHO WE ARE
SkyART is a permanent fixture in the vibrant cultural landscapes of Chicago's South and West Side communities. Founded in 2001 with a mission to provide youth with an accessible, safe place to participate in quality visual arts programs at no cost, SkyART continues to fulfill its mission by reaching over 3,000 young people a year through our three pillar programs: SkyWAY, Project 3rd Space and Project Impact. Driving our mission is a deep understanding of the transformative power of art and its capacity to enhance intellectual, emotional and social development. SkyART acts as a foundation from which creativity grows and individuals flourish. Participants are invited into a world of imaginative possibilities and connections that go beyond the individual, to positively impact all of the communities where we work and the city as a whole.
WHO WE SERVE
The communities where SkyART works and the young people we serve exemplify the resilience and the beautiful diversity of our city. Our free programs are open and accessible to youth from communities that reflect Chicago’s enriched migration cultures. Our programming affirms their identity and places them front and center as creators of their own futures. SkyART prioritizes the wellbeing and healing of our participants using art as a platform for self exploration, reflection and Social Emotional Learning (SEL).
WHAT WE DO
SkyART offers quality, collaborative and experimental art experiences in schools through our original SkyWAY methodology. Through the SkyWAY and our Artist in Residence model, we aim to animate students’ school day with creativity, experimentation and free choice. We ask the young people, "what do you want to make?” and engage them in discussion about the expansive possibilities of art. Together with classroom teachers and the administration, we will cater the program to each school and classrooms’ needs so that participants feel a sense of ownership and community. Students will not only have the chance to make meaningful artworks, but also to get up out of their chairs and move, stretch, dance, perform, or just take a few deep breaths. At the end of the school year, students will have the opportunity to show their work in a final exhibition or showcase.
HOW YOU CONTRIBUTE
We are seeking candidates who are passionate about working with individuals ages 7 - 24 or Pre-K through 12th grade. Our intention is to build a community of talented artists who would like nothing more than to grow and explore what true artistry looks like for them. We are looking for you to not only work in your expertise, but also have an openness to experiment through different mediums. We encourage that you not only come as a Teaching Artist but also as an artist to foster meaningful exchange of ideas across experience, age, race and gender. Teaching Artists can be scheduled to teach 1x workshops, 8-10 week studio program sessions and/or 2-30 week residencies in our various school & community partners. As representatives of SkyART in the studio, classroom, and the communities they serve, teaching artists share a commitment to our mission and values.
SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES
- Plan and establish a safe, learning environment for all participants
- Create a culture of learning that reflects the organization’s values and supports youth in
- their development as artists
- Develop process‐based lesson plans that challenge our participants to get out of their
- comfort zone by focusing on the exploration of art-making
- Guide participants to research and create independents projects for future gallery
- exhibitions
- Maintain the upkeep of classrooms/art studios during sessions
- Communicate with program staff in a timely and professional manner
- Gather and organize necessary materials for each session
- Respond to participant interest to adjust lesson plans in a collaborative manner
- Guide participants in creating individual projects for SkyART exhibitions or special projects
- Collaborate with SkyART staff, Teaching Artists, Creative Therapists, etc. to address participants' individual needs and provide necessary support, mentorship, etc.
- Present artworks from artists of varying backgrounds, mediums, nationalities, etc. to expose participants to increased diversity and new ways of making
YOUR BACKGROUND INCLUDES
- Bachelors and/or Masters in Visual Art, Art Education (preferred but not required)
- Cultural competency to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds
- Be flexible and manage multiple priorities
- Detailed-oriented with excellent communication, organizational, interpersonal and
- writing skills
- Experience working directly with youth in school or community settings
- Practicing artists encouraged, with specializations in drawing, painting, ceramics, digital
- tools, cooking, animation, multimedia art, video, photography and sculpture preferred
- Bilingual- Spanish/English preferred
COMPENSATION
$35-$55/hour
HOW TO APPLY
Please submit a cover letter and resume to: [email protected] with "Teaching Artist for Schools and Community ” in the subject line. Be sure to include your first and last name along with contact information in the body of the email. Do not mail or fax. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
SkyART is committed to creating a diverse work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. SkyART does not discriminate on the basis of race , color, national origin, sex, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, parental status, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable laws. We encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply.
Pay: $35.00 - $55.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
