Creative Teaching Opportunities

Kalamazoo Institute of Arts; Kalamazoo (MI); On-site; USD 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Kalamazoo Institute of Arts is seeking instructors for the Kirk Newman Art School to lead classes across Ceramics, Fiber, Jewelry, Drawing/Painting, and more. Faculty will design and deliver high-quality instruction, collaborate with peers, and contribute to a vibrant regional arts education program.

Responsibilities include developing curricula, delivering engaging sessions across winter, spring, summer, and fall terms, and working with the School Director and Chairs to evolve offerings.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent level of experience.
• Three years of professional experience and demonstrated mastery in the discipline taught.
• Commitment to creating an inclusive, equitable learning environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver engaging course descriptions for approval by Chair/Head.
• Communicate equipment and setup needs well before course start dates.
• Create course syllabi, lectures, and in-class activities with clear outcomes.
• Maintain regular attendance for all classes and durations of term.
• Provide prompt feedback and mentor students, staff, and stakeholders.
• Adapt lessons to student needs and be available outside class when needed.
• Uphold institutional guidelines and promote inclusive classroom practices.
• Attend faculty meetings and training as required.
• Collaborate with Chair/Head and School Director to enhance courses or programs.

Skills

Communication skills

Planning & organization

Inclusive/antiracist commitment

Self-starter

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Kalamazoo Institute of Arts is a mission-driven, equal opportunity employer

Updated 8.13.26

The Kirk Newman Art School is one of the leading community-based art schools in the United States. Founded in 1931, the school has nurtured the creative passions of tens of thousands of students around the region, state, and beyond, annually welcoming more than 3,400 enrollments. Students of all ages engage with our talented and committed faculty as a part of an exciting fine arts curriculum. Our spring and summer camps welcome approximately 500 youth and prepare the next generation of creative and passionate citizens. Intensive workshops, visiting artists, and other creative learning opportunities contribute to the vibrant community within the school.

DEPARTMENTS WITHIN THE KIRK NEWMAN ART SCHOOL AND EQUIPMENT

• Ceramics: Electric, gas, salt, and raku kilns plus one off-site anagama kiln. Glaze lab and onsite clay mixing facilities, Brent electric pottery wheels, slab rollers, extruder, and molds.
• Sculpture: Clay, metal welding, wood, and bronze casting foundry. Plaster room, plasma cutter, vacuum tables, sand blaster, work tables, and welding benches.
• Jewelry: Fabrication equipment, vacuum and centrifugal casting, sand blaster, rolling mills, lapidary equipment, and kilns. Professional jewelry benches.
• Drawing/Painting: Facilities for drawing, oil and acrylic painting, watercolor, and mixed media. Ventilated painting studio, easels, taborets, and storage.
• Printmaking: Intaglio, photo etching, woodblock, lithography, and screenprinting.
• Fiber: 24 floor looms, inkle and rigid heddle looms, spinning wheels, and equipment for felting and dyeing.
• Photography: 12 enlargers, chemistry, and systems for alternative processes. Fully-equipped darkroom and available lighting studio.
• Glass Fusing: Facilities for kiln-formed and kiln-fused glass. Onsite glass kiln.
• Enrichment: Languages and creative writing, wellness, and creative practice.
• Children’s Department: Family programs, classes for ages 3-4, 5 to Kindergarten, grades 1-3, grades 4-6, middle and high school, and youth spring and summer camps.

TEACHING OPTIONS ESPECIALLY SOUGHT

We are particularly interested in instructors who possess expertise in: hand sewing, fiber design, basketry, clothing construction, papermaking, 3D mixed media, jewelry making, creative professional development, wellness, movement, and youth arts education.

TEACHING TIMEFRAMES

• For Spring 2027 Teaching: Application materials are reviewed no later than October 1. Spring semester runs Apr 5 to May 28, 2027. Application link for winter will close on October 2. Please note that the dates listed here are subject to slight adjustments.

Summary Of Teaching Position

Working under the respective Chair and/or Department Head for your discipline, Kirk Newman Art School faculty serve a wide range of students from across the Kalamazoo region and are responsible for instruction that inspires students' creative process, self-expression, and artistic skill building. Faculty members are expected to design and deliver high quality instruction in your area of expertise and professional discipline. Faculty may also work in close collaboration with other faculty, institutional staff, and stakeholders when necessary. Classes are offered during winter, spring, summer, and fall semesters and may span several weeks or be designed to deliver shorter one-day or multi-day workshop experiences. Faculty work with respective Chair and/or Department Head by season to teach core curricular classes or to develop courses that enhance the curriculum and fit into the availability of classrooms, studios, equipment, and interests. Courses are generally offered Mondays through Thursdays with daytime and evening options available until 9pm or on Saturdays and Sundays from mornings until mid afternoon.

Essential Job Duties

• Develop and deliver engaging course descriptions to be submitted in a timely manner for feedback and approval by the respective Chair and/or Department Head for your discipline, in collaboration with the School Director and KIA staff, as needed; collaborate with colleagues on course curriculum where necessary.
• Communicate needed equipment, supplies, classroom set-up, or other needs for approval to the respective Chair and/or Department Head for your discipline far in advance of course start dates.
• Develop and deliver course syllabi, lectures, and in-class activities schedules; identify and communicate expected student learning outcomes to enrolled students; and create a welcoming and engaging learning environment for all students.
• Meet all classes regularly and on time as scheduled for the full duration of the class periods and for the entire length of class term.
• Provide prompt feedback to students on projects and serve as a role model and mentor to students, colleagues, institutional staff, and other stakeholders through positive teamwork.
• Problem solve, adapt, or adjust lessons based on students abilities or other needs when required; maintain availability to meet with students outside of class sessions when necessary.
• Adhere and uphold institutional guidelines, work cooperatively, possess excellent communication skills, and demonstrate classroom management skills for all ages and abilities.
• Attend and participate in any School all-faculty meetings and any required training/professional activities; remain up-to-date on innovations, trends, changes, techniques, or other matters within your discipline.
• When possible, work in collaboration with respective Chair and/or Department Head for your discipline, in collaboration with the School Director and KIA staff, to evaluate course effectiveness, opportunities for improvement, and/or opportunities to develop new courses or programs.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position is not expected to directly supervise any staff, classroom monitors, or volunteers.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent level of experience.
• Three years of professional experience and demonstrated mastery in the discipline(s) taught.
• Knowledge and experience in preparing and managing a safe, clean, and highly organized art making environment, with practice training users on how to safely utilize materials and/or operate equipment.
• Possess excellent planning and organizational skills and exercises strong communication skills.
• Committed to contributing to a work culture that is inclusive, equitable, and antiracist.
• Self-starter with an entrepreneurial creative disposition; takes initiative in addressing challenges.