Part Time Teaching Artist

School of the Art Institute of Chicago; Chicago, Northern (IL, KY); Hybrid; USD 172,000 - 482,000; Part time

Job summary

The Art Institute of Chicago is seeking a part-time Teaching Artist to develop and lead writing programs and experiences tied to artworks in our galleries and exhibitions.

Role requires on-site work, with workshops commonly held in galleries or local libraries. Candidates should bring background in art-focused instruction, strong writing skills, and a collaborative spirit to engage diverse audiences.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.
• Minimum 2 years’ experience teaching with works of art and general knowledge of art history.
• Experience facilitating writing sessions, classes, workshops, or similar instructional environments.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, including ability to communicate with audiences of different backgrounds, levels of knowledge, and types of ability.
• Highly collaborative. Ability to function effectively as part of a team.
• Energy and enthusiasm for the mission of the museum and demonstrated commitment to advancing the museum’s values.

Responsibilities

• Plans and leads primarily writing workshops on an as-needed basis. Writing workshops are typically 1.5 hours, though formats and compensation rates may vary.
• Independently researches the museum collection and exhibitions in order to develop and facilitate a variety of writing workshops and related programs. Actively maintains knowledge of the permanent collection, exhibition artworks, and museum learning.
• Attends planning meetings with staff as necessary.
• Supports impact assessment, gathering participant input and data, as needed.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Team collaboration

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

The Art Institute of Chicago shares its singular collections with our city and the world. We collect, care for, and interpret works of art across time, cultures, geographies, and identities. We are a place of gathering and learning, committed to fostering an inclusive understanding of human creativity.

About the Department

The department of Interpretation develops, advises on, and evaluates narratives and frameworks across our galleries and digital spaces, generating engagement, prompting discovery and exploration, and presenting new perspectives. Interpretation is an artwork – and audience-centered: we aim to illuminate the significance of artworks, ensure that our choices for presentation have a positive impact on visitors’ experiences, and create dialogue with visitors, inviting them to bring their whole selves to conversations in our galleries. We are committed to developing accessible interpretive approached and strategies that celebrate the uniqueness and importance of the Art Institute’s collection.

Position Summary

As part of the area of Gallery Activation within the department of Interpretation, the Part-time Teaching Artist helps develop programmatic content and experiences with works of art, mainly in the form of writing programs, engaging audiences more closely with the museum and with art in our collections and exhibitions. This position requires onsite time commitment to lead and support writing and other programs as appropriate. Programs will usually be in the galleries but may occasionally take place at offsite locations such as Chicago Public Libraries. Writing workshops and other programs are offered on an as needed basis only, and as the Teaching Artist’s non-museum schedule allows.

Responsibilities

• Plans and leads primarily writing workshops on an as-needed basis. Writing workshops are typically 1.5 hours, though formats and compensation rates may vary.
• Independently researches the museum collection and exhibitions in order to develop and facilitate a variety of writing workshops and related programs. Actively maintains knowledge of the permanent collection, exhibition artworks, and museum learning.
• Attends planning meetings with staff as necessary.
• Supports impact assessment, gathering participant input and data, as needed.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.
• Minimum 2 years’ experience teaching with works of art and general knowledge of art history.
• Experience facilitating writing sessions, classes, workshops, or similar instructional environments.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, including ability to communicate with audiences of different backgrounds, levels of knowledge, and types of ability.
• Highly collaborative. Ability to function effectively as part of a team.
• Energy and enthusiasm for the mission of the museum and demonstrated commitment to advancing the museum’s values.

Physical Requirements

• On-site and offsite, frequent movement throughout the museum including walking, kneeling, bending, and lifting.
• Ability to lift, carry, and move objects, including art, weighing up to fifty (50) pounds.
• Prolonged periods walking and standing as well as sitting in front of a computer.
• Ability and comfort working at elevated heights, such as on ladders, scaffolding, or aerial lifts
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, ability to adjust focus, and the ability to sustain prolonged visual concentration.
• Wear PPE as required, such as: gloves, safety glasses, smock or apron.

Hiring Range: Typically $125–$350 per workshop/program (depending on format, preparation requirements, and project scope).

This position is not benefits eligible.

• Job Classification:Special Services

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Accessibility

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The Art Institute of Chicago is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits, hires and promotes qualified individuals compliant with federal and state laws. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the Department of Human Resources at [e-mail] .

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.