PenArt is seeking summer-long instructors to teach children’s visual arts workshops. Under the supervision of the Artistic Director, Instructors are responsible for planning and implementing a visual arts workshop curriculum that is creative, safe and developmentally appropriate for students ages 4 to 12 years old. The Summer Studios for Young Artists Program runs for ten weeks from June 16 through August 15, 2026. Each week consists of four-day (Tuesday-Friday) workshops and a one-day (Saturday) workshop – students are divided by age group. Workshops are dedicated to a specific media, from drawing to sculpture to printmaking to ceramics. Instructors are responsible for teaching age-appropriate workshops that encourage skill building, creative problem solving, and experimentation.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
- Organize, develop, implement, and coordinate visual arts lessons in keeping with the objectives, themes, and media specified in the workshop catalog.
- Teach knowledge and skills in art through engaging demonstrations and hands-on activities.
- Ensure the safety of all students.
- Create a positive, fun and inclusive atmosphere promoting teamwork and/or individual work. Lead specific age-appropriate activities/lessons.
- Be on time and ready to receive students as specified on your schedule.
- Be able to problem solve and adapt to the needs of students, modifying instruction on a case-by-case basis.
- Provide feedback to students throughout each lesson.
- Meet regularly with the Artistic Director to discuss curriculum, classroom management, and studio needs.
- Manage studio inventory, including materials and tools.
- Set-up studios in preparation for each workshop.
- Ensure that the space is returned as found at the end of each workshop, and all supply cabinets and spaces are clean and well organized.
Requirements
- Minimum of three years of work toward the completion of a degree in Fine Art or Art Education. Bachelor’s degree in Fine Art or Art Education preferred.
- Comprehensive knowledge of drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, and art history.
- Enthusiasm for working with youth from a wide range of cultural and socio-economic backgrounds.
- Able to handle classroom situations with fairness and patience.
- Committed, dependable, organized, flexible, competent, and have the ability to adapt.
Application Process
Please email a letter of interest discussing your prior experience, reasons for applying, and skills that you bring to this position; resume; and list of three references, including name, title, email, and daytime phone. Deadline for applications is Tuesday, March 31, 2026.