Call for Teaching Artists

Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 69,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Job summary

Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble seeks multidisciplinary Teaching Artists for our in-school and after-school programs in Chicago. This part-time contracted role blends dance, theatre, spoken word, and visual arts to make a real impact on students. Lead Teachers must have 1–2 years of teaching experience; a BA or BFA is required.

Spanish-speaking or SPED experience is a plus. A fingerprint background check is required, and flexibility, collaboration, and travel to multiple sites are valued.

Qualifications

• Minimum 1 year of teaching experience in school or community settings.
• BA or BFA degree required.
• Knowledge of state and national core arts standards.
• Experience with arts integration/multidisciplinary arts learning.
• Spanish speaking or SPED experience is a plus.
• Must be able to improvise/be flexible.
• Demonstrate advocacy for equality, diversity and inclusion and understand social/emotional learning.
• Professional demeanor when interacting with students, partner teachers and staff.
• Must be able to collaborate/work well with administrative staff and classroom teachers.
• Ability to travel to various locations and schools in the Chicago area.
• Must be patient and skilled in childhood and youth development.
• Minimum 1 year commitment.
• A fingerprinted background check required.

Responsibilities

• Attend all Teaching Artist professional development workshops.
• Develop, teach, and document arts‑integrated curriculum that focuses on the creative process, social‑emotional learning, and literacy.
• Implement assessment tools embedded within programming.
• Collaborate with classroom teachers/program directors and colleagues to create innovative residency experiences for students

Skills

Teaching experience

Arts integration

Spanish language

Flexibility

Diversity & inclusion

Collaboration

Communication

Child development

Travel willingness

Professional demeanor

Background check

1 year commitment

Education

BA or BFA

Job description

Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble is seeking multidisciplinary dance, theatre, spoken word and visual artists to join our part-time contracted Teaching Artists staff for our in‑school and after‑school programs. This is an excellent opportunity for creative people who know that teaching the arts is more than just dance steps or memorizing lines, but truly make an impact in a child’s life.

(BIPOC and male‑identifying are strongly encouraged to apply.)

(Lead Teachers must have 1-2 years of experience working with students.)

Compensation

Lead Teachers: $40-50 depending on program and experience. Paid trainings, planning time and other opportunities available.

Teaching Artists are an integral part of all residencies’ curriculum planning and documentation and will meet with classroom teachers/program coordinators before and throughout each residency. We are looking for a diverse group of artists who would like to expand upon their main discipline, incorporating other art forms into their classes, and who can link literacy and social/emotional learning.

Location and population served

Classes serve students in Chicago in grades Pre‑K–high school, as well as at social service organizations. The majority of our population is with at‑risk school age, youth and young adults.

About us

Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble challenges, engages and inspires audiences both onstage and in the classroom, through innovative, multidisciplinary storytelling in the genre of Tanztheatre, which unites all art media and to achieve an all‑embracing, radical change in humankind. As an Ensemble, we collaboratively create thought‑provoking arts performances and educational outreach programs incorporating elements of theatre, music, movement, visual arts and literary text. We are dedicated to “performance with a purpose.”

Arts Educational Programs Mission

Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble arts educational programs teach math, science and literacy through the visual and performing arts with a progressive education teaching model that emphasizes social/emotional learning.

Equity Statement

CDE strives to create an equitable and empowering space for our artists, administrators, teachers, audiences, and for children of all backgrounds. We aim to build a platform for the voices of the diverse communities we serve. All are welcome.

Teaching Philosophy

CDE teaching artists carefully plan lessons through a fully developed progressive education curriculum and pedagogy that explore a particular theme through music, dance, art, and drama.

By emphasizing the creative process, students are provided with an outlet to express their thoughts and opinions through the arts thereby nurturing teamwork, discipline, constructive criticism, and the ability to see projects through to completion. This type of education enables CDE to provide students with skills that better prepare them for high school and college. This teaching methodology has evolved to encourage students’ social‑emotional growth in addition to their artistic competency. CDE instructors are trained to positively reinforce good behaviors, teamwork, and creative risk‑taking rather than creating an authoritarian environment. As a result, students develop holistically and better empower their educational and creative prowess.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Attend all Teaching Artist professional development workshops
• Develop, teach, and document arts‑integrated curriculum that focuses on the creative process, social‑emotional learning, and literacy.
• Implement assessment tools embedded within programming
• Collaborate with classroom teachers/program directors and colleagues to create innovative residency experiences for students

Skills & Qualifications

• Minimum 1 year of teaching experience in school or community center settings
• BA or BFA required
• Knowledge of state and national core arts standards
• Experience with arts integration/multidisciplinary arts learning
• Spanish speaking or SPED experience (special education population) skills are a plus
• Must be able to improvise/be flexible
• Demonstrate experience advocating for equality, diversity and inclusion and understand social/emotional learning
• Professional demeanor when interacting with students, partner teachers and staff
• Must be able to collaborate/ work well with administrative staff, and classroom teachers
• Ability to travel to various locations and schools in the Chicago area.
• Must be patient and skilled in childhood and youth development
• Minimum 1 year commitment
• A fingerprinted background check required.