P3S Teaching Artist

Title: Teaching Artist, Visual Art

Classification: Contractual

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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.
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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).
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WHAT WE DO

What can we create together? What does art mean to you? How does art reflect history and our present? These are some of the fundamental questions that are explored during Project 3rd Space (P3S), SkyART’s intensive program for teens. Created in 2016 as a response to what we saw as a critical need for more rigorous and in-depth arts engagement for teens. P3S’s approach is designed to offer teens access to professional opportunities in the arts, encouraging critical thinking as well as civic engagement. SkyART hires a cohort of Teaching Artists, all of whom have a professional practice, to work with participants in a collaborative artist-in-residence model, where teens work alongside them to explore different mediums, techniques and topics. At the end of each 10-week session, P3S participants receive a stipend for their participation.
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HOW YOU CONTRIBUTE

We are seeking candidates who are passionate about working with individuals ages 14 - 24 years old. 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.
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Teaching Artists can be scheduled to teach 1x workshops, 8-10 week studio program sessions and/or 10-30 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.
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SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES
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• 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 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, Art 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
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• 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

• Practicing artists encouraged, with specializations in drawing, painting, ceramics, digital tools, cooking, animation, multimedia art, video, photography and sculpture preferred

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Salary and Schedule

• $20-$45/hour

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How To Apply::

• Email resume, cover letter, and portfolio to programs at skyart.org

SkyART 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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Job Type: Contract

Pay: $20.00 - $45.00 per hour

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Chicago, IL 60617: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Education:

• Bachelor's (Preferred)

Experience:

• Teaching: 1 year (Preferred)

Work Location: One location