Creative Teaching Opportunities
Kalamazoo Institute of Arts is a mission-driven, equal opportunity employer
Updated 5.15.26
The Kirk Newman Art School is one of the leading community-based art schools in the United States. Founded in 1931, the school has nurtured the creative passions of tens of thousands of students around the region, state, and beyond, annually welcoming more than 3,400 enrollments. Students of all ages engage with our talented and committed faculty as a part of an exciting fine arts curriculum. Our spring and summer camps welcome more than 500 youth and prepare the next generation of creative and passionate citizens. Intensive workshops, visiting artists, and other creative learning opportunities contribute to the vibrant community within the school.
HOW TO APPLY
Consider joining us as a part-time, contract faculty member by submitting your curriculum vitae, electronic examples of your work, and a statement of interest to teach course(s) or workshop(s) in one or more disciplines for the Kirk Newman School, listed below. Please indicate if you are interested in teaching a course or workshop, or both, when submitting your materials.
Once complete, these application materials will be shared with the hiring committees and kept on file for one year. The school director and respective department leader will reach out to discuss your submission materials should an opportunity be available within the respective department.
DEPARTMENTS WITHIN THE KIRK NEWMAN ART SCHOOL
- Ceramics: Electric, gas, salt, and raku kilns plus one off-site anagama kiln.
- Sculpture: Clay, metal welding, wood, and bronze casting foundry.
- Jewelry: Fabrication equipment, vacuum and centrifugal casting, sand blaster, rolling mills, and kilns.
- Drawing/Painting: Facilities and equipment for drawing, oil and acrylic painting, and mixed media.
- Printmaking: Intaglio, photo etching, woodblock, lithography, and serigraphy.
- Fiber: 20 floor looms, inkle and rigid heddle looms, spinning wheels, equipment for felting and dyeing.
- Photography: 12 enlargers, chemistry, and systems for alternative processes. Fully-equipped darkroom.
- Glass Fusing: Facilities for kiln-formed and kiln-fused glass.
- Enrichment: Languages and creative writing, wellness, and creative practice.
- Children’s Department: Family programs, classes for ages 3-4, 5 to Kindergarten, grades 1-3, grades 4-6, middle and high school, and youth spring and summer camps.
TEACHING OPTIONS ESPECIALLY SOUGHT
We are particularly interested in instructors who possess expertise in: wet felting, needle felting, hand sewing, fiber design, basketry, clothing construction, papermaking, 3D mixed media, jewelry making, creative professional development, wellness, movement, and youth arts education.
TEACHING TIMEFRAMES
- For Winter 2027 Teaching: Application materials are reviewed no later than July 1. Winter semester runs Jan 4 to Mar 25, 2027. Application link for winter will close on July 2. Please note that the dates listed here are subject to slight adjustments.
SUMMARY OF TEACHING POSITION
Working under the respective Chair and/or Department Head for your discipline, Kirk Newman Art School faculty serve a wide range of students from across the Kalamazoo region and are responsible for instruction that inspires students' creative process, self-expression, and artistic skill building. Faculty members are expected to design and deliver high quality instruction in your area of expertise and professional discipline. Faculty may also work in close collaboration with other faculty, institutional staff, and stakeholders when necessary. Classes are offered during winter, spring, summer, and fall semesters and may span several weeks or be designed to deliver shorter one-day or multi-day workshop experiences. Faculty work with respective Chair and/or Department Head by season to develop courses that fit into the availability of classrooms, studios, equipment, and interests. Courses are generally offered Mondays through Thursdays with daytime and evening options available until 9pm or on Saturdays and Sundays from mornings until mid afternoon.
ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES
- Develop and deliver engaging course descriptions to be submitted in a timely manner for feedback and approval by the respective Chair and/or Department Head for your discipline, in collaboration with the School Director and KIA staff, as needed; collaborate with colleagues on course curriculum where necessary.
- Communicate needed equipment, supplies, classroom set-up, or other needs for approval to the respective Chair and/or Department Head for your discipline far in advance of course start dates.
- Develop and deliver course syllabi, lectures, and in-class activities schedules; identify and communicate expected student learning outcomes to enrolled students; and create a welcoming and engaging learning environment for all students.
- Meet all classes regularly and on time as scheduled for the full duration of the class periods and for the entire length of class term.
- Provide prompt feedback to students on projects and serve as a role model and mentor to students, colleagues, institutional staff, and other stakeholders through positive teamwork.
- Problem solve, adapt, or adjust lessons based on students abilities or other needs when required; maintain availability to meet with students outside of class sessions when necessary.
- Adhere and uphold institutional guidelines, work cooperatively, possess excellent communication skills, and demonstrate classroom management skills for all ages and abilities.
- Attend and participate in any School all-faculty meetings and any required training/professional activities; remain up-to-date on innovations, trends, changes, techniques, or other matters within your discipline.
- When possible, work in collaboration with respective Chair and/or Department Head for your discipline, in collaboration with the School Director and KIA staff, to evaluate course effectiveness, opportunities for improvement, and/or opportunities to develop new courses or programs.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
This position is not expected to directly supervise any staff, classroom monitors, or volunteers.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be flexible and able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent level of experience.
- Three years of professional experience and demonstrated mastery in the discipline(s) taught.
- Knowledge and experience in preparing and managing a safe, clean, and highly organized art making environment, with practice training users on how to safely utilize materials and/or operate equipment.
- Possess excellent planning and organizational skills and exercises strong communication skills.
- Committed to contributing to a work culture that is inclusive, equitable, and antiracist.
- Self-starter with an entrepreneurial creative disposition; takes initiative in addressing challenges.
