Art Center Educator and Coordinator

Little City Foundation; Palatine (IL); On-site; USD 44,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) with match

FSA

Paid holidays

Paid time off

Job summary

Little City Foundation in Palatine, IL is seeking an Art Center Educator and Coordinator to foster an inclusive studio for adults with disabilities, providing instruction, materials access, and daily operations coordination.

The role involves curriculum planning, scheduling classes and events, and collaborating with the Director on community engagement and a potential social enterprise, while ensuring safety and compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Experience working with individuals with disabilities is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Designs and plans classroom activities and curriculum.
• Schedules art classes, workshops, and exhibitions with the Director.
• Maintains art materials and supplies within budgetary means.
• Supervises staff, volunteers, or interns including scheduling and payroll.
• Oversees gallery operations and customer service.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Patience

Active listening

Creativity

Ability to work independently

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Basic computer applications

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: Main Campus - Palatine, IL 60067

Position Type: Full Time

Education Level: Bachelor's Degree

Salary Range: $43,609.17 - $54,000.00 Salary/year

Job Shift: Monday - Friday Business Hours

Purpose:

The Art Center Educator and Coordinator fosters an inclusive, collaborative studio environment that supports the artistic growth of adults with disabilities. This role provides instruction, technical support, and access to materials while coordinating daily operations, curriculum, and community engagement opportunities. The position also promotes participant representation in the broader arts community and adapts communication and instruction to meet diverse needs.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Designs and plans classroom and group activities and curriculum for current and future participants.


2. Schedules art classes, workshops, planned community outings and exhibit opportunities in cooperation with the Director.


3. Explores in cooperation with the Director the development of a creative social enterprise that allows artists access to arts education, training, expression, and production.


4. Maintains sufficient supply resources for daily operations and art materials within budgetary means.


5. Supervises any paid employees or participants, contracted facilitators, volunteers, or interns including scheduling and payroll.


6. Oversees gallery operations including a rotating installation of works, special exhibits, training of employees or participants, customer service and point-of-sale.


7. Completes required forms for artist compensation with sold works and forwarding to the Director for signature and submission within the appropriate timeframe.


8. Compiles and maintains records of any artwork for sale, on loan for internal or external display.


9. Collaborates with the Director on special events, public display or studio show information including provision of art, materials or content for marketing and communication and biographies of featured artists.


10. Documents any goal-related, group notes or unusual incidents in the agency database, informing relevant person(s) of any progress, decline or safety concerns of the participants within the appropriate timeline.


11. Consult with other sites on an as needed basis for any art or creative expression program concepts that could benefit from expert input.


12. Provides direct support to participants, assisting them to lead self-directed lives, achieve personal goals and contribute to the community.


13. Ability to work a flexible schedule to carry out duties and responsibilities effectively including but not limited to after hours program offerings, gallery showings, exhibitions and other events that occur during non-business hours (e.g., evening and weekend hours).


14. Represents the agency and ensures professional, effective, and positive public relations at internal and external events.


15. Maintains annual American Heart Association certification in First Aid and CPR.


16. Successfully completes Little City required training, re-training, and any additional training as required by agency policies and practices, or as assigned by the immediate supervisor.


17. Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Little City offers competitive salaries and benefits for eligible employees such as medical, dental, and vision insurance, short-term and long-term disability, 401(k) and Roth 401(k) retirement plans with employer match, Flexible Spending Accounts ( FSA), life insurance, critical illness, hospital indemnity, paid holidays, paid time off (vacation, personal, and sick time), and an employee assistance program.

QualificationsMINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts or a related field required


• Minimum of 1 year of experience working with individuals with disabilities


• Strong interpersonal skills, including patience, flexibility, and active listening


• Demonstrated creativity and passion for hands‑on artmaking


• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently


• Effective written and verbal communication skills


• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and basic computer applications


• Ability to complete DSP training within 120 days


• Valid Illinois driver’s license (if operating agency vehicles)


• Experience with ceramics or printmaking preferred but not required

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORK ENVIRONMENT:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is subject to sitting for prolonged periods; frequently walks, stands, grasps, lifts, holds, or feels objects; occasionally stoops, kneels, crouches, or crawls. Use of computer and typing is required. The employee frequently is required to use manual and finger dexterity and eye‑hand coordination when working and handling office or program equipment. The employee is subject to assist and support up to 30 pounds with varying amounts of assistance on a reoccurring basis. The employee is required to have corrected vision and hearing within normal range and the ability to operate equipment or a motor vehicle when applicable. Generally no occupational exposure to blood, body fluids, communicable diseases or other potentially infectious substances, but may require performing unplanned Category III tasks (Category II). Typical office environment. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Disclaimer:

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative level of the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the total of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be directed to perform job‑related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.