Teaching Artist

Job Summary

Art making is a vital part of the Museum's educational mission of transforming lives through art. Colby College Museum of Art Teaching Artists report to the Linder Family Foundation Senior Coordinator of School and Teacher Programs, and collaborate on specific programs with other education department staff. Teaching Artists work with the Linder Family Foundation Senior Coordinator of School and Teacher Programs to develop and teach age-appropriate, curriculum-based studio art activities for visiting schoolchildren and families. Teaching Artists work closely with the Museum's staff to support visits by roughly 3,000 Maine school children each academic year. They also work with the Mirken Coordinator of Campus and Community Collaboration to lead campus and community partnership programs for a wide variety of ages, both onsite and at offsite locations.

About the Role

Teaching Artists play a critical role in creating a dynamic, positive, welcoming, and enriching experience for visitors, in collaboration with museum staff and volunteers.

Essential Functions

• Teach hands-on art lessons and lead art-making activities in the Museum’s Mirken Education Center, with the goal of engaging participants in activities that ask them to make connections to their art-looking (gallery) experience and to think like artists - making choices and developing their art-making skills and techniques.
• Under the direction of the Linder Family Foundation Senior Coordinator of School and Teacher Programs, develop studio lesson plans that meet curricular goals, incorporate inclusive teaching practices, and advance the mission of the museum.
• Under the direction of the Education and Engagement staff, develop art-making activities for community partnership programs, both onsite and at offsite locations, with the understanding that the projects need to work for a variety of ages and incorporate inclusive teaching practices.
• Assist other departments as needed and assigned.
• Track progress, achievements, and challenges, and share with museum staff.
• Work cooperatively with fellow Education staff, and other museum colleagues to ensure that everyone feels welcome, respected, creative, and energized.
• Prepare and organize materials; including making studio art materials lists in collaboration with museum staff.
• Maintain clean equipment and a tidy studio space, reporting any issues to the education and engagement department.
• Attend regular training sessions.

Position Qualifications

• Education and/or experience: High school diploma or equivalent required; professional coursework or post-secondary education are a plus.
• A strong artistic background combined with the ability to translate that into effective and engaging lessons for different age groups.
• Proficient with a variety of art media and techniques that are appropriate for K-12 students or having demonstrated a willingness to learn.
• Knowledge of and curiosity about artistic traditions and art history.
• Strong oral communication, interpersonal, and public communication skills to interact with all levels of visitors, staff, and trustees.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to complete clear, concise, and accurate reports and other documentation.
• Highly motivated, flexible, and comfortable with all audiences.
• Strong attention to detail and problem solving skills with the ability to handle situations with tact and diplomacy.
• Able to work independently as well as in a team, exercise judgment, establish priorities, and complete projects with minimal supervision and to adjust as new projects are assigned.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (e.g. Word, Excel) and Google Suite (e.g., Mail, Calendar, Docs, Sheets, and Slides); proficiency and/or ability to learn Airtable, Adobe Creative Suite, EventBrite, SurveyMonkey, Workday, and others specific to Colby College.

Physical/Mental Demands

• The physical demands and work environment characteristics described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform essential functions of this position and/or may be encountered while performing essential functions.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

To Apply

Interested candidates should apply electronically by clicking the “Apply Now” button on the Colby College website. Please upload a cover letter and resume to your application.