Art Teacher (K–8)

Tip-Top Brain; New York (NY); On-site; USD 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Tip-Top Brain is seeking an enthusiastic Art Teacher to lead engaging, hands-on visual art classes for students in grades K–8. You will guide drawing, painting, collage, sculpture, and mixed media while helping students explore materials and express their ideas.

The role emphasizes a strong art background, a patient teaching style, and the ability to connect with children. You’ll contribute to creating a warm, organized classroom and support enrichment programs as needed.

Qualifications

• Strong foundation in visual art and ability to teach drawing, painting, and mixed media.
• Experience teaching art or leading art activities for elementary and/or middle school students.
• Clear, step-by-step explanations of techniques for students of varying ages.

Responsibilities

• Plan and teach art lessons introducing materials, techniques, and creation methods.
• Teach foundational concepts: line, shape, color, value, texture, form, composition.
• Demonstrate observational drawing, shading, color mixing, brushwork, and material use.
• Create projects that develop skills while honoring each student’s ideas and choices.

Skills

Art fundamentals

Drawing

Painting

Mixed media

Classroom management

Student feedback

Job description

About the Role

Tip-Top Brain is looking for a dedicated Art Teacher to lead engaging, hands-on visual art classes for students in grades K–8.

This role centers on drawing, painting, collage, sculpture, and mixed media. You’ll help students explore materials, learn artistic techniques, and develop the confidence to express their own ideas.

We’re looking for someone with a strong visual arts background who enjoys teaching children and can make art approachable, engaging, and rewarding. Our goal is for students to build real skills while discovering their own creative voice.

What You'll Do

• Plan and teach art lessons that introduce students to different materials, techniques, and ways of creating.
• Teach foundational concepts such as line, shape, color, value, texture, form, and composition.
• Demonstrate techniques such as observational drawing, shading, color mixing, brushwork, and working with different materials.
• Create projects that develop artistic skills while leaving room for each student’s ideas and choices.
• Adapt lessons, demonstrations, and expectations for different ages and experience levels.
• Offer encouraging, constructive feedback that helps students practice, experiment, and improve.
• Prepare supplies, demonstrations, and project examples; manage classroom setup, cleanup, and safe use of materials.
• Maintain a warm, organized classroom where students feel comfortable trying new techniques and sharing their work.
• Communicate student progress, supply needs, and project plans with the Tip-Top Brain team.
• Support art workshops, camps, and seasonal enrichment programs as needed.

Who We're Looking For

The right candidate combines strong artistic skills with a patient, organized, and encouraging teaching style.

Strong candidates will have:

• A strong foundation in visual art, with confidence teaching drawing, painting, and mixed media.
• Experience teaching art or leading art activities for elementary and/or middle school students.
• The ability to explain techniques clearly and break lessons into manageable steps.
• Strong classroom management skills and confidence leading groups of children.
• The ability to support students with different abilities, learning styles, and levels of confidence.
• An appreciation for individual expression and the ability to help students develop their own ideas.
• Strong organization, reliability, professionalism, and follow-through.

Preferred, but not required:

• Education or professional experience in fine arts, art education, illustration, or a related visual arts field.
• Experience with additional media such as printmaking, sculpture, clay, textiles, or other hands-on art forms.
• Experience developing lessons that build students’ skills over several classes.
• Experience teaching in an art studio, school, museum, camp, or after-school program.

Why Work With Us

At Tip-Top Brain, we help students build confidence, creativity, and a love of learning through thoughtful, engaging instruction.

You’ll have the opportunity to help shape our art programming, introduce students to new materials and techniques, and see their skills and confidence grow. You’ll be part of a team that values creativity, professionalism, and a warm classroom environment.